The University of Bologna, as the leading institution of Spoke 7 within the PNRR OnFoods partnership, is launching its first cascading call aimed at networks of businesses, universities, and research centers for the development of innovative and sustainable solutions on Spoke 7 themes.

The initiative opens doors to a diverse group of participants, including small to large enterprises and research organizations. The unique aspect of this call is its emphasis on collaborative efforts, mandating the participation of 3 to 6 autonomous legal entities, with a state university or a PRU under MUR's supervision as the 'Lead' entity. These collaborations are expected to blend different perspectives and expertise, fostering innovative solutions.

The call is structured around four distinct yet interconnected themes:

Innovative Methods and Models to Improve Sustainability in Collective Catering. Collective catering plays a significant role in influencing consumer diets in a variety of settings such as company, hospital, school, and university canteens. In these places, meals are provided to thousands of people, whose food choices can be influenced by factors such as menu organization, ingredient quality, portion sizes, and available choice options. The general objective is to investigate the dynamics underlying the public and private catering supply strategies, and the eating behaviours of the users of such services. 

Innovative Methods, Products, and Models to Improve Sustainability in Large-Scale Retail Distribution. Large-scale retail distribution plays a significant role in influencing consumer diets. Supermarkets - in their various types and forms - represent the primary source of food supply for many people, and the decisions made in these environments can have a considerable impact on diet. Therefore, studying consumer behavior within retail outlets is fundamental to understand how individuals make food choices in this context. Such research can reveal purchasing patterns, preferences, and relevant influencing factors to develop strategies for promoting healthier and more sustainable food choices. Additionally, to improve communication about the benefits of healthier and more sustainable foods, it is useful to understand how consumers interact with nutritional information and labels.

Strengthening Local Food Policies. Local food policies play a crucial role in guiding food styles. Such policies define the principles and methods of coordination among different actors in the local food system, governance mechanisms, and action design, identifying guidelines and regulations related to procurement, production, distribution, consumption, and post-consumption of food within a defined geographical area in a logic of (re)connecting urban-rural relationships and simultaneously intercepting socio-economic aspects related to access to healthy and sustainable diets.

Controlling Food Inflation. Food Chains, Vertical Integration, and Co-Regulation Tools. The issue of sustained growth in food prices has become increasingly prominent in recent years, primarily as an effect of global events that have destabilized the food commodity and energy markets. This rise, expected to continue in the coming years, makes access to healthy and sustainable foods more difficult for increasingly large segments of consumers, not only those belonging to socially vulnerable classes. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out research activities that allow, on the one hand, to analyze and predict the trend of food prices, both on international markets and at the national and local level, and on the other hand, to propose interventions that can moderate food prices for end consumers, while ensuring a fair distribution of profits along the food supply chain.

Each project, limited to an 18-month duration, will undergo a rigorous evaluation process by the OnFoods Technical-Scientific Committee, focusing on innovation, partnership quality, and potential market impact.

The University of Bologna's initiative stands as a significant commitment to fostering sustainable food practices. By addressing these four themes, the call aims to catalyze research that not only advances scientific understanding but also offers practical, real-world applications in the realm of food sustainability.

To read all the useful information for participating, go to the call page by following this link.