FIT4FOOD2030 has developed a 6-part infographic that reveals aims, journey and outcomes of the project. During the last three years, the EU-funded project tackled the complex problem of food system transformation as well as the need to make a transition towards responsible research and innovation (RRI). It worked to support the European Commission’s FOOD 2030 policy framework.
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Food systems are complex. They include not only the way the food is produced but also how it affects our health, wellbeing and the environment. Various problems and challenges are present within the food systems which makes the transformation towards more sustainable and resilient food systems necessary.

The list of urgent and persistent food system related challenges is long:

• severe environmental problems include resource scarcity, excessive pesticide and herbicide use contributing to biodiversity loss, pollution and decreased soil quality, as well as excessive greenhouse gas emissions
• unhealthy consumption patterns are leading to a triple burden of malnutrition, with the existence of both undernourishment, micro-nutrient deficiency and obesity, and increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease
• importantly, the current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility and complexity, with substantial impact across the food system, ranging from increased food losses and disruptions in logistics and distribution, to increased levels of unemployment, rising food costs, and decreased availability of and accessibility to (fresh) foods

Food system actors are now more than ever aware of the importance of food system transformation. However, the transformation is not simple and achieving the change is challenging.

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Research and innovation (R&) are important ingredients for change. They are the drivers for food system transformation. However, the current way of conducting R&I is not fit for purpose. It is not holistic but rather fragmented, doesn’t include stakeholders on multiple levels (policy makers, research community, civil society organisations, business and industry, education community) and often has little policy support.

FIT4FOOD2030 looked specifically at the way in which research and innovation (R&I) is being done, and how this can become more effective in changing the system. The project partners have built on the evidence that R&I is more effective if:

1. the entire food system is considered instead of individual aspects in isolation (e.g. to include the nutritional needs of the population when diversifying crops)
2. when a wide diversity of people from society are consulted, which is also called ‘responsible research and innovation’ (RRI)

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Communication and collaboration between different actors within the food system are important to decide on research priorities for a sustainable food system. Over the course of three years, FIT4FOOD2030 has brought together a wide diversity of people – food systems actors – at different levels. The partners have created ‘spaces for transformation’ in cities (City/Food Labs), regions/countries (Policy Labs), and at the European level (EU Think Tank). Together, they were interlinked in the multi-stakeholder platform named ‘FOOD 2030 platform’. The main objective, in these safe environments, was to work together and co-create methods and tools that people can use to make food systems more sustainable.

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These tools and methods developed as a part of the work within the FOOD 2030 platform are now safely stored and easily accessible on the Knowledge Hub. Anyone can visit the repository of ‘Tools for Transformation’ and take part in the food system transformation.

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Since FIT4FOOD2030 is coming to an end, the engagement will continue on the Sustainable Food Systems Network. It is a growing community of over 900 members sharing food system related events, collaboration opportunities, scientific articles and more.

The community is free and open for everyone to join.

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