The SOSFood project is making significant strides toward creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable food system by fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders within the food value chain. This essential milestone focuses on identifying the needs and expectations of stakeholders, paving the way for transformative solutions in the food system. 

Understanding the landscape of our food system

To establish this collaboration, Euro Coop, the leader of Work Package 1, designed a comprehensive survey distributed to over 40 organizations dedicated to food sustainability. The 24 participants included primary food producers, manufacturers, retailers, academic institutions, and NGOs across Europe, with a particular focus on regions such as Spain, Greece, and Lithuania. Their responses provided critical insights into the current challenges and opportunities within the food system.

The questionnaire was structured into four key sections, addressing the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of food sustainability, along with stakeholders’ priorities for potential sustainability initiatives. This multifaceted approach enabled the survey to capture a wide range of perspectives on crucial issues surrounding food production, distribution, and consumption.

Preliminary findings from the survey provided a comprehensive picture of the measures and policies that could enhance sustainability across the food system’s three pillars. In the next stage, these insights will be discussed with project partners to determine which proposals should move forward in the upcoming case studies set to take place in Athens, Lithuania, and Galicia.

What are the next steps?

Looking ahead, the project team will conduct a detailed analysis of the most promising actions, including a SWOT assessment to evaluate their feasibility and potential impact. The goal of this collaborative approach is to ensure the continued progress of the SOSFood project toward building a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food system.

An updated report, incorporating new insights and feedback from additional stakeholders, is anticipated for release in 2025.