The Swedish food system is confronted with significant challenges related to sustainability and health, yet it also presents great opportunities to address future challenges. The Food Science Sweden Conference 2024 in Örebro will showcase compelling initiatives associated with health and sustainability. Additionally, it will highlight the measures taken in the value chains to reshape the food system toward sustainability.
What is a food system? Does the Swedish food system differ from other European food systems?
Four years ago, in 2020, The Formas Research Council in Sweden provided funding for four centers for sustainability and competitiveness in the food system. Since then, the four centers – BLUE FOOD, PAN Sweden, FINEST, and SustAinimal – have taken important steps to contribute to the development and innovation of the food system. All centers have initiated close collaborations with researchers, the food sector, and stakeholders to build knowledge and skills throughout the food chain.
During the Food Science Sweden Conference 2024 we will hear about the collaborations, lessons learned, and the role the centers have played in the transition of the food system, as well as getting an insight into other European food systems.
Moderator: Marie Brodin, director of communication and collaboration support at Örebro University
Program
08.30-09.00 Registration
09:00-09:05 Welcome by Vice-Chancellor of Örebro University
Prof Johan Schnürer
09:05-09:10 Introduction
Food Science Sweden representant, prof Robert Brummer
09:10-09:50 Research-based transition of the food system in The Netherlands and EU – lessons learned after 25 years experience
Keynote speaker: Dr Jan Sikkema
09:50-10:15 Break
10:15-10:45 Panel discussion: Research-based transition of the Swedish food system.
Jan Sikkema and representatives from Vinnova, Formas, The Swedish Food Federation, Food Science Sweden and The Green Diary.
10:45-11:30 LiFT with selected PhD presentations
- Tatiana Marques, LiFT Graduate School Introduction, Örebro University
- Jakob Karlsson, Impact of pea fiber and protein on in vitro colonic fermentation, Chalmers
- Sunera Zulficar Nurmomade, Effect of pre-treatments on phenolics and dietary fiber profile of pearl millet and cowpea, SLU
- Mar Vall-llosera Juanola, Stabilisation of Ulva fenestrata biomass for its future use as a food ingredient, Chalmers
- Annalena Kamm, The Impact of Plant-Based Proteins on Gut and Metabolic Health, Örebro University
- Johanna Östlund, Faba bean food applications, SLU
- Ansung Kim, Unveiling plant-based protein: Understanding consumer perceptions and sustainable food choices, Örebro University
11:30-12:30 Lunch
12:30-13:30 Poster session
13:30-13:35 Introduction to presentation of national research centres financed by Formas: SustAinimal, Blue Food, FINEST and PAN Sweden
13:35-14:30
- SustAinimal
- Blue Food – Centre for Future Seafood
14:30-15:00 Break
15:00-15:55
- FINEST – Food INnovation for Sustainable System Transition
- PAN Sweden – Plant-based Food for Health and Wellbeing
15:55-16:00 Closing session
Keynote speaker: Dr Jan Sikkema
Jan Sikkema, director of Fascinating, a public-private partnership focused on sustainable food innovation, earned his PhD in Industrial Microbiology from Wageningen University in 1993. Previously, he held positions such as Senior Researcher at the European Research Laboratories of Snow Brand Milk Products and various R&D management roles at Royal Friesland Foods.
In 2007, he became the Program Director of TI Food and Nutrition, a partnership bridging academia and major food companies. Later, in 2011, he relocated to Groningen, where he spearheaded the establishment of the Center for Development and Innovation at the University Hospital (UMCG) and took on the role of Director at the Business Generator Groningen, the Technology Transfer Organization of the University of Groningen and the UMCG.
Important information
When: 10 April 2024 at 09:00–16:00, registration from 08:30
Where: School of Medical Sciences at Campus USÖ
Visiting address: The campus is located adjacent to Örebro University Hospital
Digital participation: This is an onsite conference only and the conference lectures will not be recorded.
How to get here
By train: There are two railway stations in Örebro, and if you arrive by train, you should get off at the main railway station (Örebro Central) with its adjacent travel centre, Resecentrum. You can walk Järnvägsgatan straight east until you reach the University Hospital’s main entrance.
By bus: You can get to Campus USÖ with the number 9 bus from Örebro Central/Resecentrum. You can plan your trip and read about tickets here.
Address and directions – School of Medical Sciences – Örebro University (oru.se)
Register to the Conference
The event is open for everyone but require your registration.