Connecting Agrifood Experts for a Sustainable Future: The Agrifood Expert Community of EIT Food

In the fast-evolving agrifood sector, collaboration is everything. With big issues like climate change and food security, it's clear that we need to come together across different fields and regions.

Get to know the Agrifood Expert Community

20 Nov 2024

3 min reading time

That’s where the Agrifood Expert Community (AFEC) of EIT Food steps in, serving as a dynamic network where top innovators and specialists unite to reshape the future of agrifood.

In this post, we explore how AFEC facilitates innovation and contributes to positive change through the insights of four AFEC members, who are all dedicated to advancing sustainability and efficiency in the food sector.

Innovation through cross-disciplinary collaboration

AFEC functions as a powerful catalyst for innovation, bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds. João Cotter, Founder and CEO of Aquaponics Iberia, explains, "The community fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration that accelerates the development of sustainable, efficient solutions." This collaborative network enables members to exchange ideas, share research, and brainstorm solutions, driving innovation in sustainable farming, food processing, and building more resilient supply chains.

Solveiga Pakštaitė, Founder of Mimica, emphasises the importance of sharing knowledge across disciplines: “Speaking to startup founders and other expert innovators is one of the best ways to fast-track your understanding of a new topic and get inspired.” She adds, "I am glad to join the Agrifood Expert community so I can share my knowledge of food waste prevention, packaging, consumer behavior change, and implementing design thinking." This spirit of collaboration helps to accelerate solutions in areas such as food packaging, waste prevention, and shifting consumer behaviors toward sustainability.

A pan-European network

For many experts, joining AFEC represents a unique opportunity to gain insights and support within a structured, pan-European network. Erzsébet Némedi, Founder of Expedit Nodum R&D Consulting Agency, highlights the advantages of being part of this network that fosters trust across borders. AFEC’s model allows for cross-country collaboration, providing access to a selected community of experts in other national and geographical contexts.

She describes EIT Food as a “well-organised network” that guarantees accountability, quality, and objective feedback—qualities that enhance the credibility and impact of each member’s contributions. Through this network, AFEC members can take local initiatives and scale them across Europe, amplifying their impact and fostering a more cohesive agrifood sector.

Addressing pressing challenges

Today’s agrifood industry faces significant obstacles, from climate change to resource scarcity and food waste. As Begüm Önal, Founder of B-NL Academy & Consultancy, points out, AFEC’s core missions align with these global challenges, focusing on promoting healthier lives, fair and resilient food systems, and a net-zero food system. By collaborating with industry, academia, and policymakers, the community can create impactful projects that tackle these issues head-on.

Solveiga also emphasises key trends in the agrifood sector: "Key trends that I am seeing are the impact of the cost of living crisis on food choices, the intention-action gap among consumers on sustainable habits narrowing, and AI's impact on various aspects of the food industry." These insights reflect the ongoing shifts in consumer behavior and technology, all areas where AFEC members are working together to find innovative solutions. João,

Building a future-ready agrifood sector

The Agrifood Expert Community of EIT Food is more than just a network—it’s a powerful engine for change. By facilitating connections between experts, fostering collaboration, and supporting innovative solutions, AFEC is helping to build a sustainable and resilient future for food systems in Europe and beyond.

As global challenges continue to grow, communities like AFEC become essential, providing the knowledge, resources, and shared vision needed to create a more sustainable and adaptable agrifood sector.