On November 20-21, 2024, the BrightSpace project was prominently featured at the specialist conference “Thinking Outside the Box: Food Systems with a Future,” held in Munich. Organized by the Competence Center for Nutrition (KErn) in collaboration with the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL) and the Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism, the event brought together stakeholders from across the food value chain to explore sustainable and innovative approaches for future food systems.
Marc Müller, BrightSpace project coordinator, contributed to the discussions with a presentation focusing on the challenges and opportunities in aligning agricultural, environmental, and social goals. His talk, “Perspectives on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Nature in the Netherlands,” highlighted the dilemmas faced by Dutch agriculture as it seeks to balance ambitious emission reduction targets with the realities of food production and rural livelihoods. Using insights from BrightSpace and Wageningen University’s research, Müller presented strategies to navigate conflicts between national and international goals, emphasizing the importance of integrated solutions that account for biophysical, economic, and social considerations.
The conference showcased best practices and practical solutions from across Europe, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovative thinking to create food systems that are sustainable, resilient, and health-oriented. Participants, including experts from agriculture, science, gastronomy, and consumer organizations, engaged in interdisciplinary workshops addressing issues like local value chains, regional marketing, and future-proof community catering.
For more on the conference, visit KErn’s website.
