Report

OnFoods at Cibus for the 2024 World Food Forum: the new challenges for agri-food businesses and supply chains

  1. Home

     / 
  2. Magazine

     / 
  3. OnFoods at Cibus for the 2024 World Food Forum: the new challenges for agri-food businesses and supply chains

Published: May 9, 2024
Share:
On 8th May, in Parma, within the prestigious setting of Cibus, the fifth edition of the World Food Forum (WFF) took place, titled “The Challenges of Food Systems’ Sustainability for Businesses and Supply Chains – A Global Approach, from Soil to Human Health”.
This year, the Forum focused on presenting and sharing, with the companies present at Cibus 2024, the objectives and work paths of the three major research and innovation projects, related to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan PNRR, dedicated to the challenges that the Italian agri-food sector will have to face: the National Center for Technology in Agriculture Agritech, the Extended Partnership OnFoods Foundation, and the METROFOOD-IT Research Infrastructure together with the National Agri-food Cluster CL.A.N.

At the heart of the debate was the role of Italy as a global food excellence. The agri-food sector is one of the cornerstones of Made in Italy, and to maintain this leadership role, it is essential to preserve and develop a safe, sustainable, and high-quality food supply chain, increasingly attentive to productive autonomy and food sovereignty. Among the many topics discussed were the impacts on food systems, the current geopolitical situation, and how the ability to overcome these complex challenges is strongly linked to science and technology, with particular attention to investing in young researchers and talents and creating partnerships.

During the conference, important experts from the agri-food and scientific fields, representatives of food companies, and members of national and European institutions intervened.

After the welcome and introduction addresses, which were attended by Franco Mosconi - President of the Parma Fairs, Paolo Martelli - Magnificent Rector of the University of Parma, Cesare Azzali - Director of the Parma Industrial Union, Paolo Mascarino - President of Federalimentare and the National Agri-food Cluster CL.A.N., and Vincenzo Colla - Councilor for Economic Development and Green Economy, Labor, Training, and International Relations, Emilia-Romagna Region; the conference began with a series of presentations, coordinated by Sara Roversi - President of the Future Food Institute.

Among the guests were: Danilo Ercolini - Scientific Director of the National Center for Technology in Agriculture Agritech, Daniele Del Rio - President of the OnFoods Foundation, Claudia Zoani - Coordinator METROFOOD-IT, ENEA - Department of Sustainability, Circularity, and Adaptation to Climate Change of Production and Territorial Systems, and Gianni Galaverna - Coordinator of Food-ER, the Emilia-Romagna Alliance for Education and Innovation in Food Systems, University of Parma.

Daniele Del Rio

Daniele Del Rio - President of the OnFoods Foundation:

"The occasion of this year's World Food Forum at CIBUS is unprecedented because it sees the presentation and discussion together of the 3 initiatives that the PNRR has funded in the field of research on the sustainability of food systems. Just as the title of main event says, the three major PNRR projects focused on food production guarantee us a global approach, from the soil to human health. It is with great pride that Parma leads one of these three initiatives, the Extended Partnership OnFoods, which deals with food from the perspective of sustainability, safety, and their contribution to consumer health, actively participating in the other two as well. This presence is further evidence of the centrality of our city in the context of food production and research in the food sector. Even more important is the fact that these three major initiatives, united today in this World Food Forum, move so well in harmony, complementing and improving each other, with teamwork that will lead us to a great leap in skills and competitiveness at the end of the three-year funding period."

Afterwards, the conference hosted a roundtable discussion with important experts from the scientific, food, and innovation worlds, representatives of food companies, and supply chains. The conclusions were entrusted to Paolo De Castro - Member of the European Parliament, Vice President of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.

In the afternoon, the Forum continued with the workshop: "Businesses, PNRR, Sustainability of Food Systems", targeted companies at Cibus to share the vision of partner companies in PNRR projects. The meeting was coordinated by Massimo Iannetta, head of the ENEA Biotechnology and Agro-industry division and Vice President of the Technical-Scientific Committee of the National Agri-food Cluster CL.A.N. Among the participants were: Agrocamera - Barilla - Bolton - Bonifiche Ferraresi - CIRFOOD - De'Longhi - Irritec S.p.A - Malteria Saplo Peroni - La Molisana - Relatech S.p.A.

Daniele Del Rio - OnFoods al World Food Forum 2024, Cibus, Fiere di Parma
Roberto Ciati, direttore delle relazioni scientifiche e istituzionali e vice-presidente Sostenibilità, Barilla
Alberto Dolci, Global Research & Innovation Manager a Bolton Food
Alessandro Benedetti, Senior Innovation Food Engineer

You might be interested in...

NewsOct 1, 2024
Eco-Anxiety and Food Choices: Challenges for a Sustainable Diet - Lucia Tecuta (University of Bologna)

In the fourth episode of *Food and Policies*, Maria Elide Vanutelli interviews Lucia Tecuta about her research on sustainable food choices and the psychological factors influencing them.


FeaturesSep 30, 2024
Fermentation: the modern impact of an ancient revolution

Seeking new microorganisms suitable for the fermentation of agro-food byproducts can help in the fight against food waste.


EventSep 26, 2024
Spoke 6 annual meeting to be held on October 9th at Sapienza University of Rome

A day dedicated to sharing the goals achieved and the next steps in progress. The objective is to share what has been accomplished and strengthen the network among the various entities involved.


EventSep 24, 2024
Responsible Production and Consumption from Field to Table: The University of Pavia at the G7 Agriculture in Syracuse alongside OnFoods

On the occasion of the G7 Agriculture the University of Pavia will play a leading role in a side event.


ReportSep 20, 2024
Food Waste on the Rise in Italian Households: Findings from the 2024 Report by the Waste Watcher Observatory

Compared to last year, Italians are wasting nearly twice as much food. This concerning trend is highlighted by the new 2024 International Waste Watcher Report.


EventSep 19, 2024
OnFoods at the Rom-E Sustainability Festival from 4th to 6th October

OnFoods is a partner and patron of Rom-E, an event dedicated to sustainability that will take place in the heart of Rome from 4th to 6th October 2024.


EventSep 17, 2024
OnFoods at Capri for the SIDEA Conference, Italian Society of Agricultural Economics

For the occasion, a joint session was organised between Spoke 1 and Spoke 7, coordinated by Matteo Masotti, Patrizia Borsotto, Giampiero Mazzocchi and Matteo Vittuari.


FeaturesSep 13, 2024
OnFoods at the Iufost International Food Technology Congress: extensive research, but also public-private research governance strategies

The 22nd edition of the Iufost Congress, the International Union of Food Science and Technology, concluded yesterday, September 12th, in Rimini


WorkshopSep 12, 2024
Bridging the gap between tradition and innovation: novel food and feed at the UniMi workshop on 19th September

Novel food and feed are the subject of extensive and heated debate. On 19th September, a compelling workshop on the topic will take place at UniMi.


NewsSep 9, 2024
From the LIMIT study, new evidence of associations between maternal lifestyle factors and inadequate pregnancy weight gain

EventSep 9, 2024
OnFoods in Rimini for IUFoST 2024, the 22nd World Congress of Food Science and Technology

Research and innovation for sustainable food systems from production to consumption: the Italian challenge. With Daniele Del Rio, Patrizia Riso, Alberto Dolci, and Matteo Vittuari.


InterviewAug 27, 2024
Personalised Nutrition, Sustainable Dietary Practices, Shared Food Protocols: The Future of Malnutrition Research

An interview with Professor Hellas Cena, Vice-Rector for the Third Mission at the University of Pavia, who coordinates Spoke 6 'Tackling Malnutrition'.


EventJul 31, 2024
The Role of Origin in Sustainable Localised Food Systems: an International Conference by Origin for Sustainability and the University of Parma

FeaturesJul 23, 2024
What’s behind a consumer product? At De’Longhi, research is the true engine of innovation

FeaturesJul 20, 2024
The complexity of food environments addressed with participatory methods: the mini-doc from the four-day workshop of Spoke 1.

NewsJul 18, 2024
Perception of Novel Foods and New Food Technologies: The Survey by the Edmund Mach Foundation

Participate in the survey on the perception of novel foods and new food technologies. An initiative of the Edmund Mach Foundation, Spoke 4 OnFoods.


InterviewJul 18, 2024
Circular economy, innovative processes, and new green technologies to reduce food waste and make the most of by-products

InterviewJul 15, 2024
University Campuses as Models of Food Environments: The PPP-URB Project towards Sustainable Public Food Procurement

We discussed this with Professor Davide Fassi, the project coordinator at the Politecnico di Milano


InterviewJul 13, 2024
Sustainability and social innovation in local areas also rely on local agri-food supply chains

Interview with Prof. Filippo Arfini on sustainable food supply chains, social inclusion, waste reduction, and research impact on policies and citizens.


NewsJul 12, 2024
The University of Naples opens a new cascade funding call to finance innovative research projects on food and nutrition

Evaluation of the mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds in plant-based foods. Dietary patterns, fertility, and longevity. Innovative approaches to creating functional foods.


EventJul 11, 2024
Genome editing: navigating regulatory challenges and innovations in Agri-Food

The University of Parma, with Onfoods and Food for Future, is meeting to address the challenges and prospects of using new genomic techniques in the agri-food sector.


InterviewJul 10, 2024
Malnutrition in the elderly: a growing health crisis needing a multidisciplinary approach

An interview with Francesca Coperchini researcher of the SENIOR project


FeaturesJul 9, 2024
Formal and informal actors in the supply chain: all at the same table with the SCIN-GO project, to design more equitable and sustainable food environments.

FeaturesJul 8, 2024
Valuable waste: innovation in the fight against food waste

An insight with Giulia Valentini and Arianna Rossetti from Politecnico di Milano


FeaturesJul 4, 2024
Childhood Obesity is a public health emergency that can be prevented starting from schools: the Lively project for families, children and teachers

An in-depth look at the Lively research project (Spoke 7, University of Pavia)


EventJun 21, 2024
On 25th June, Spoke 4 meets at the University of Milan

This event aims to review the progress of the Work Packages, and thus the research activities of the Spoke.


EventJun 13, 2024
Innovative Research Practices: Empowering Early Career Scientists in Global Sustainability

A work programme at the Suvignano farm from 17 to 20 June 2024. Four days of study, research, and co-creation involving the community of researchers from Spoke 1.


EventJun 5, 2024
Principles of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning with examples of applications in the context of nutrition

A full day seminar on the 27th June 2024 at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Pavia.


FeaturesJun 4, 2024
Policies for Healthy and Sustainable Diets: just published!

A review of International, European, and National documentation published by CREA, as part of the activities of the International Food Policy (INFP) project


WorkshopJun 4, 2024
The Annual Spoke 02 Meeting in Piacenza on the 25th and 26th of June

At the Università Cattolica, two days dedicated to reviewing the progress of the Work Packages, and thus, the research activities of the Spoke 02.


ReportMay 24, 2024
Food Systems research takes center stage in Mantova: highlights from the Food&Science Festival

EventMay 15, 2024
Open Day of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Milan, at the Sustainable Development Festival

EventMay 13, 2024
The research practice: a chat with PNRR researchers. OnFoods and Spoke 6 at the Sustainable Development Festival

Introducing the public to the research activities of Spoke 6


NewsMay 13, 2024
Agora of the Mediterranean Diet. The Naples Conference from 3 to 5 May 2024

The debate was moderated by Professor Annamaria Colao, the OnFoods Spoke 5 leader


NewsMay 13, 2024
"Cibo e Politiche", the new podcast by Spoke 7's Early Career Scientists.

A multi-voice, open and interdisciplinary dialogue with people who work daily to improve our food systems, focusing on the social and political dimensions of food.


EventMay 13, 2024
OnFoods and Politecnico di Milano at the Food&Science Festival from 17th to 19th May

A series of engaging seminars and a talk featuring Daniele Del Rio, representative of the OnFoods project


NewsletterMay 10, 2024
Newsletter from Spoke 2 “Smart and circular food system and distribution” - May 2024

By the ECS Group of Spoke 2 at OnFoods, as part of the mentorship programme activities


EventApr 30, 2024
OnFoods to Take Center Stage at Cibus 2024 World Food Forum

The Challenges of Food Systems’ Sustainability for Businesses and Supply Chains – A Global Approach, from Soil to Human Health.


EventApr 29, 2024
Naples Hosts the International Agora of the Mediterranean Diet: 3rd to 5th May 2024

At the Historical Complex of Saints Marcellino and Festo