Transforming the food system for climate and human health

Feeding an ever-growing population, while enabling climate and human health to flourish, is no small task.​

As the world population is projected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030, and to increase further to 9.7 billion in 2050, the pressure is on to produce enough food for all – and not just enough food, but sustainable and nutritious food to ensure the nourishment of people and planet.¹​

Malnutrition, whether deficiencies or insufficient nutrient intake, is a growing problem that crosses geographies and emphasises the need for nutrient-rich products. With growing pressure to move away from Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) and reduce sugar levels towards clean-label foods, there is also a need to improve fibre and iron intake to support people’s health.

The effects of climate change are being felt increasingly across the agri-food sector, as the world sees unpredictable weather events. The warming climate is already disrupting supply chains, with yields diminishing and costs increasing. As the need to feed more people arises, the sustainability of production is more important than ever, through innovations to reduce footprints, environmental impacts and mitigate climate change.

So, what does the sector need to prioritise in order to achieve this, and without a premium?

As consumers increasingly focus on the direct impact of food on health, food companies need to harness innovation for elevated taste and functionality, and adopt strategies for resilient supply chains that have limited environmental impact.

Future Food-Tech, as the go-to meeting place for the food-tech industry, provides a forum for leaders to collaborate, share ideas and network, encouraging innovation and development to create a healthier food system for people and planet, whilst navigating the obstacles.

Nestlé Health Science, The Kraft Heinz Company, PepsiCo, Tate & Lyle and Carrefour are among the international line-up of over 100 speakers who will take the stage at the International London, The O2 on October 2-3.

Program highlights​

Beyond the main stage agenda, packed with insightful and thought-provoking discussions, delegates can delve deeper into topics in interactive breakout sessions covering protein diversification to food contamination detection, and take a front row seat as entrepreneurs share their solutions in pitching sessions. Delegates can taste of the future of food on the summit menu and by visiting the Live Demo Kitchen, as innovators serve up their innovative products in tasting and cooking demonstrations. 

Opening panel​

The action kicks off on Wednesday, October 2 after a networking breakfast hosted by Danone, with the first panel ‘Climate & Human Health: Designing Nutritious Foods Without a Premium’. High-profile industry leaders including Tate & Lyle, The Kraft Heinz Company, PepsiCo, Access to Nutrition Initiative and EIT Food will explore harnessing innovation to improve nutritional density and health impacts, whilst ensuring production is sustainable and affordable.

The first question shaping this discussion looks at sustainable nutrition, from micronutrient deficiencies to childhood obesity. How are companies working to tackle these problems?

Next, the speakers will examine the role that governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play in building the necessary guidelines, recommendations and industry standards around food and ingredients for organisations to deliver on nutritional profiles and sustainability goals.

With consumers at the centre of all things food, the final question asks how the industry can ensure that consumers have enough education about the connection between diet and health.

Speakers and highlights​

More highlight sessions across the packed two days include:

• 2035 Visions: Technologies Improving the Trajectory of Food Innovation​ Featuring Danone, Elo Life Systems and Heura Foods
• Cultivating Success: Breakthroughs Disrupting Europe’s Cell-Cultured Industry ​Featuring The Good Food Institute, Mosa Meat, Meatly and Food Standards Agency
• The GLP-1 Phenomenon: Examining Opportunities & Predictions for Europe​ Featuring Nestlé Health Science, IFF and Vitakey
• Industry Collaboration: Strengthening Partnerships with Foodservice, Retailers & Corporates​ Featuring Unovis Asset Management Carrefour, , Mondeléz International and McWin Capital Partners

Start-Up Arena​

Future Food-Tech is a key discovery platform to meet exciting early-stage food-tech companies seeking new connections, investment and collaborations among the investment and global food-tech community. The Start-Up Arena at the summit is a hub for creativity where early-stage companies can exhibit breakthrough technologies. Each start-up will pitch live on the breakout program. This year is expanding – with a new exhibition space dedicated exclusively to scale-ups.

Confirmed to present their solutions at the summit already are BioMara, IGH Naturals, Sensipt-dx and more are joining the line-up daily.

Networking opportunities​

Networking opportunities at the summit include a breakfast briefing, hosted by Nestlé Health Science, coffee and lunch breaks hosted by Danone and Voyage Foods, a drinks reception and a dedicated 1-1 meeting hub for scheduled meetings, in addition to those corridor connections that are so vital.

The online networking platform opens two weeks prior to the summit, giving delegates a head start on connecting with peers, arranging valuable meetings, and planning out their schedule.

This is a powerful tool, offering high return on time invested as senior strategic leaders connect across the food-tech value chain, forging partnerships and accelerating the innovation needed to design healthier foods for people and the planet.

Senior representation is confirmed already from innovation-leaders across the food-tech ecosystem from technology to investment, food brands and retail including:

Dates​ October 2-3, 2024
Venue​ Intercontinental London, The O2

Find out more information about Future Food-Tech’s full programme, start-ups and accommodation.

Register now - the Early Bird offer ends August 14, saving delegates £300. Save a further 10% on registration with Food Navigator’s special code FOODNAV10.​

Download the summit brochure. ​

Future Food-Tech summits take place every year in London, Chicago, San Francisco and Singapore (under the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit). The summits are part of Rethink Events’ global series of market-leading agri-food summits, created by experts in agri-food technology, investment and climate-tech. Rethink Events is a William Reed company.

References​

1. ​United Nations. Population.​