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Breaking Bread, Building Futures: Collaborative Learning for Climate Action

On World Food Day, the Food Odyssey project organised an inspiring event - Breaking Bread, Building Futures: Collaborative Learning for Climate Change. The event gathered eight innovative projects from across Europe to share best practices on addressing the complex challenges facing today’s food systems.

The networking event brought together a diverse audience: from researchers and technology providers to teachers and community representatives - fostering dialogue between science, education, and innovation. Among the key messages shared during the event was a powerful reminder: There is no sustainability without the social dimension. Sustainability must integrate not only environmental and economic factors but also social well-being and inclusion.

The SOSFood project was presented by Eloy Miranda García, who introduced the project’s mission to improve decision-making processes by understanding how food systems impact societies. “We aim to reach actors across the entire food value chain and gather data from each step. Access to currently unused data will allow us to strengthen decision-making processes and create more efficient, sustainable systems,” explained Eloy.

He also reflected on one of the project’s main challenges - accessing the large and diverse data sets required for developing AI-based solutions: “We are trying to collect a lot of data, including private and currently unused data. This has been one of our main struggles, as functional AI systems rely on a high volume of quality data. Once we can extrapolate and replicate this data across different scenarios, we will be able to make a real impact.”

The Breaking Bread, Building Futures event showcased the value of collaboration and knowledge sharing among European projects. By connecting ideas, expertise, and experiences, participants strengthened their collective ability to build a more sustainable and socially inclusive future for food systems.

Read more about the results of the webinar here: https://www.the-food-odyssey.eu/the-results/webinar-erasmus-days

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SOSFood at “One Health, One Soil: Safe Food on a Healthy Planet”

On September 24th, the SOSFood project took part in the conference “One Health, One Soil: Safe Food on a Healthy Planet”, held in Lisbon as part of the “1st FoodLink Conference Series – Seeds to Transform the Food System in a Network.”

Organised by NOVA Medical School, the event invited experts, practitioners and policymakers to reflect on the central role of soil in fostering human and environmental health through the One Health approach. Discussions explored how soil quality, sustainable farming practices, and food safety are deeply interconnected — highlighting the importance of healthy soils for nutritious and safe food.

During the event, Diogo Pestana, representing the SOSFood team, presented our project and shared how SOSFood contributes to building more sustainable and resilient food systems across Europe.

The conference was the first in the FoodLink series, launched by CCDR Lisboa e Vale do Tejo and NOVA Medical School, aiming to accelerate the transition towards fair, sustainable, and healthy food systems in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Read more about the event here: FoodLink launches a conference series to accelerate the food transition

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Data: The New Infrastructure of Our Food Systems

In today’s digital era, data has become as vital to our food systems as roads, ports, or electricity grids. From farm to fork, the ability to collect, share, and analyse information underpins everything - from making supply chains more efficient to ensuring food safety and sustainability. But sharing data is not just a technical challenge; it’s a matter of trust, governance, and strategy. To unlock innovation while protecting sensitive information, we need smarter, more secure ways to collaborate.

Why private data sharing matters

For farmers, food processors, retailers, and policymakers, the right data at the right time can transform decision-making. Yet, concerns about privacy, misuse, or competitive disadvantage often hold organisations back from sharing valuable insights. Finding the right model for collaboration is key to overcoming these barriers.

Our latest report — produced under the SOSFood project and funded by the EU Horizon Europe Programme — explores seven models that enable private data sharing, analysing their strengths, challenges, and ideal use cases:

• APIs & repositories – simple, scalable ways to share and access data.

• Collaboration platforms – boost transparency and teamwork among partners.

• Data federations & virtual databases – allow access without physically moving sensitive data.

• Marketplaces – expand availability but require strong governance and clear rules.

• Hybrid models – combine flexibility with high levels of security.

By comparing these models, the report helps organisations choose the right approach for their goals: whether that’s boosting transparency, protecting sensitive information, or balancing openness with control.

Building sustainable and secure food systems

As our food systems become increasingly digital, secure and efficient data sharing is no longer optional — it’s a strategic necessity. Projects like SOSFood are paving the way by exploring practical, trustworthy ways to collaborate, so that innovation can flourish without compromising privacy or fairness.

Read the full report here: bit.ly/SOSFOODanalysis

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From Athens to Pescara: SOSFood’s September of Science and Collaboration

September was a busy and inspiring month for the SOSFood Project team. Our partners travelled across Europe to share research results, exchange knowledge and strengthen collaborations for safer and more sustainable food systems.

We began the month in Athens, where the 13th International Conference on Predictive Modelling in Food took place at the vibrant Technopolis City of Athens. On September 3rd, our lead partner Prof. Jesús Simal-Gándara presented SOSFood’s vision and progress to an international audience of scientists and innovators. The conference offered three days of stimulating discussions and fresh ideas on how predictive modelling can enhance food safety and sustainability.

While in Athens, the SOSFood consortium also gathered for an intensive partner meeting at the Agricultural University of Athens. Despite the sizzling weather outside, the atmosphere inside was even hotter — filled with strategic planning, research updates and collaboration to push the project forward.

Later in the month, members of the team travelled to Pescara to take part in the 46th AIEAA Conference – Territorial Inequalities: Prospects for Regions and Cities. On September 11th, we presented the paper “Interregional Knowledge Diffusion and its Impact on R&D Investment in Europe”, a study exploring how spatial spillovers and interregional knowledge flows shape private R&D investments across European regions. Using a spatial econometric approach at the NUTS2 level, the research highlights the importance of highly skilled human capital and strong research infrastructures, cross-regional knowledge diffusion and collaboration, and policies that foster balanced innovation ecosystems. The findings show that regions with strong public R&D and skilled workforces are more likely to attract private R&D, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation-led growth. At the same time, interregional knowledge spillovers can reduce inequalities if supported by mobility, collaboration and infrastructure investment. The paper, authored by Andrea Pronti, Emy Zecca, Ginevra Coletti and Marco De Nigris, reinforces SOSFood’s mission to generate knowledge and solutions that support sustainable and inclusive regional development.

We wrapped up September again in Greece for the Joint International Conference of Mikrobiokosmos & CEESME (Central and Eastern Europe Symposium on Microbial Ecology) — a true scientific fest on all aspects of microbial life in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, agriculture and food science. Our colleagues George-John Nychas and Chrysoula Tassou presented the SOSFood poster, showcasing how our work contributes to tackling food safety and sustainability challenges through cutting-edge research. You can explore the full scientific programme of the conference here.

September once again demonstrated the breadth and depth of SOSFood’s expertise - from predictive modelling and microbial ecology to regional innovation policies. Each event strengthened our network, expanded our knowledge and brought us closer to our shared goal: building safer, more sustainable and more resilient food systems for the future.

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Online Workshop: Sharing Data for Sustainable Food Solutions

Data, together with AI and other digital technologies, has the potential to transform our food systems and make them more sustainable. However, achieving this transformation requires a careful balance. While access to data can empower individuals and consumers to make sustainable choices, much of the information held by industry remains difficult to access.

To foster systemic and sustainable change, the Data4FoodCluster is organising an online workshop “What helps and hurts when sharing data for sustainable food solutions”. The event will explore the challenges, enablers, and benefits of data sharing and AI-driven solutions in the food sector.

The four cluster projects – DRG4Food, FOODITY, SOSFood, and FoodDataQuest EU – are bringing together citizens, consumers, researchers, and industry professionals to:

• Discuss the role of data in building inclusive and sustainable food systems

• Share experiences and reflections on opportunities and barriers

• Identify actions to improve data accessibility and collaboration

📅 Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025
⏰ Time: 13:00–14:30 CET
📍 Format: Interactive Online Workshop

This is an opportunity to contribute to a critical discussion and help shape the future of food data.

👉 Register here to join the conversation.

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SOSFood joins Data4FoodCluster

In 2023, two pioneering EU-funded projects - DRG4FOOD and FOODITY - came together to launch the Data4FoodCluster, a collaborative initiative with a bold mission: to make our food system smarter, more sustainable, and fairer by harnessing the power of data.

By 2025, this visionary cluster expanded with the addition of two more cutting-edge projects: FoodDataQuest EU and our very own SOSFood Project. Together, these four projects are shaping the future of food by developing digital solutions that enhance transparency, traceability, and efficiency across the food value chain – all while placing a strong emphasis on individual data sovereignty.

The Data4FoodCluster is more than a collaboration – it’s an emerging ecosystem of innovation. We’re working across the entire food system, from farm to fork, to empower citizens, support data-driven decision-making, and ensure that people retain full control over their personal data.

Learn more about who we are, what we’re building, and how we’re transforming food systems for the better – with data, ethics, and innovation at the core: https://www.sosfood-project.eu/cluster/

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SOSFood presented at the Conference on Food Systems Transformation in Athens

Last week, we had the pleasure of participating in a remarkable event organized by the Agricultural University of Athens, focusing on the pressing challenges and opportunities in the evolving food system. The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing  infrastructure, fostering local and international collaborations, and advancing science for the benefit of education and society.

In an era defined by environmental crisis, the transformation of our food system is not just timely - it is essential. The conference addressed challenges that span all thematic sections of the University’s work, from long-standing issues to emerging concerns. Food, as a daily necessity and a field ripe for innovation, continues to inspire, particularly the younger generation.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the SOSFood project, an ambitious interdisciplinary initiative that brings together stakeholders from academia, industry, governance, and civil society. The ultimate goal of SOSFood is to support the transition toward a more sustainable, inclusive, productive, and resilient European food system, empowered by technology and informed by robust data.

Heartfelt thanks to the University leadership, the Administration, and the members of the Organizing and Scientific Committees for their dedicated work in making this event a success and engaging a wide audience to discuss our common cause.

We look forward to seeing SOSFood initiative grow and to the continued success of this important conference in the years ahead.

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Recap of the 3rd Project Meeting: Advancing Sustainability Goals

On March 5th, 2025, key stakeholders of the SOSfood project gathered in Brussels for the 3rd Project Meeting, augmented by digital participation to foster inclusivity. The event at TOPOS Parliament was marked by a series of enlightening talks, robust discussions, and strategic planning, all aimed at advancing the project's sustainability objectives.

Highlights from the Meeting

• Opening Remarks: Initiated by Euro Coop's Fabrizio Fabbri and Annalisa de Chirico, alongside UVIGO's Jesús Simal-Gandara, the meeting commenced with a warm welcome and an agenda overview. This introduction set the stage for a day dedicated to tackling core challenges in sustainability within food systems.
  
• Insights on Sustainability: Emy Zecca from UNIFE provided a comprehensive overview of the Sustainability Conceptual Framework, which was complemented by Koen Kuipers from SRU who delivered insights into regional sustainability strategies through a digital presentation.
  
• Dynamic Discussions: Led by Jesús Simal-Gandara, the meeting engaged in an invigorating discussion centered around three pivotal case studies. The dialogue culminated in forming strategic perspectives for the project’s future, enhancing collaborative efforts among all participants.
  
• Yearly Progress Review: This session reviewed various work packages, highlighting key achievements and outlining next steps. Discussions covered data strategies, impacts on ecosystems, and advancements in AI-based data tools, along with the initial rollout of the project's app and dashboard.
  
• Strategic Outreach and Operational Planning: The latter part of the meeting focused on updating the consortium on outreach strategies and reviewing operational deliverables. Irmantas Čepulis from AFL detailed progress on WP6 and shared insights into the dissemination efforts, while Eloy Miranda discussed the operational aspects crucial for moving forward.

Reflecting and Looking Forward

The meeting emphasized enhancing collaboration among scientific staff, researchers, and use case partners. This focus aimed at defining and establishing clear criteria to develop tools, systems, and policy recommendations for implementing sustainable methods and models to reduce food waste. The collaborative spirit was palpable throughout the sessions, reflecting our shared commitment to transformative solutions.

The meeting showcased the dedication and passion of all consortium members, whose contributions are vital to steering the project towards achieving its sustainability goals in food systems. The discussions not only reinforced our collaborative framework but also set a clear path for future endeavors.

We are enthusiastic to continue this journey and implement the strategies discussed, aiming for significant advancements in sustainable food systems.

SOSfood project is funded by the EU's Horizon Europe program. Funding does not represent endorsing. Neither REA nor the European Commission can be made responsible for the views and opinions of the project partners.

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Key takeaways: "Driving Sustainability Through Healthy Diets" Conference

On March 4th, 2025, the "Driving Sustainability through Healthy Diets" conference, organized by Euro Coop and held at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) as part of the SOSFood project, convened to discuss the intersection of dietary changes and sustainability. The event aligned with World Obesity Day, highlighting its significance in promoting both environmental and human health.

Key Discussions and Presentations

• Opening Remarks: Todor Ivanov of Euro Coop introduced the conference's goals, emphasizing the crucial role of sustainable dietary practices in environmental conservation and health improvement.
• Research Insights: Siavash Farahbakhsh from the ILVO presented the FOODDATAQUEST project, focusing on how AI can help bridge consumer knowledge gaps and encourage sustainable eating behaviors. He referenced FAO’s guidelines, advocating for diets that are nutritionally adequate, environmentally responsible, and socially acceptable.
• Public Sector Initiatives: Andrea Patrucco discussed the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact's achievements, where over 300 cities have adopted sustainable food policies, enhancing urban food systems through innovative policy tools.
• Industry and Retail Contributions: Representatives from FoodDrink Europe and Independent Retail Europe shared how their sectors are contributing to sustainable food environments through educational projects and industry-led reformulations to improve nutritional profiles.
• Consumer Advocacy Roles: Luigi Tozzi and Carmen Redondo Borge highlighted their organizations' efforts in promoting stricter food labeling and marketing regulations, emphasizing the need for improved food literacy and consumer awareness.
• Keynote Address: Peter Schmidt called for stronger policy interventions to make sustainable food accessible to all, stressing that consumer education alone is insufficient for significant dietary shifts.

Conclusions and Forward-Looking Statements

The discussions reaffirmed that sustainable dietary practices offer substantial benefits for both the environment and public health. Key takeaways included the importance of AI in optimizing food supply chains, the environmental benefits of reducing meat consumption, and the health advantages of plant-based diets.

The conference concluded with a collective call for continued multi-disciplinary collaboration, further research into sustainable dietary benefits, and the promotion of EU-wide policies to enhance food systems. The participants committed to driving actionable changes, underscoring the event's role in shaping future food sustainability strategies.

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