Food System in Transition 

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

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.