Sabri Ulker Foundation & Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology

The Citizen Labs of Turkey and Malta project aimed to increase consumer trust in the local produce by offering a dynamic/interactive platform to consumers in order to facilitate an active dialogue among key stakeholders and provide trustworthy sources of information and short training to consumers and establish a community of local food trust ambassadors. Moreover this project incentivized local communities to connect to other RIS regions and work to promote the activities of EIT Food in RIS Countries.

The activities were divided into the following:

1. Food Trust Embassadors program

To transfer science-based information to citizens. Blended training component on local food supply systems, food safety, sustainability, nutrition and quality. A specific focus was given to chemicals and plant protection processes. Food Trust Ambassadors will also be instructed to use online tools for promotion and engagement activities and will be offered materials to disseminate among their communities.

2. ASK ME - Citizen Forum

• Open and transparent dialogue between citizens, farmers/producers, and public authorities on food safety
• Engagement Campaigns and Dissemination
• Access to the online learning materials
• Aim to change the negative food safety attitudes and behaviors of the consumers.

During the 3 months trial of the project in Malta, the Food Trust Ambassador program and the ASK ME Citizen Forum activities were carried out through two livestreaming events with scientists and local authorities addressing live questions from audience on food safety issues and regulations on safe food. A full day face-to-face training was delivered to Food trust ambassadors to provide them with key knowledge on local food safety, supply systems and communication tools to address doubts, clarify fake news and promote food trust. Especially results of a survey on the topic of “Perceptions on pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables” conducted in November this year was reported. According to the survey results, ninety five percent of the participants are aware that fresh food such as fruits and vegetables may contain pesticide residues. Eighty six percent of them know that pesticide residue levels in fresh fruits and vegetables are controlled by law. However, 57% of the survey participants do not trust that the laws and the inspections are enough to guarantee that pesticide residues in fresh fruits and vegetables are within safe limits, and almost all participants wish to have more information on this subject.

Sabri Uker Foundation developed 2 webinars aiming to change the negative food safety attitudes and behaviours of the consumers. The project impacted the system by facilitating opportunities for active and transparent dialogue between citizens, farmers/producers, and public authorities. Within the activites; the consumer's perspective on food safety, food attitudes and behaviours changed positively. Negative effects of important public health problems such as the pandemic on the consumer's perception of food safety improved.