Project news European consortium launches FoodDataQuest to drive sustainable food systems with data-driven innovations

A pioneering initiative, the FoodDataQuest project, has been set in motion following a joint kick-off meeting on Feb. 8 and 9 in Ghent, Belgium. The initiative, coordinated by ILVO (Flemish Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Nutrition), brings together a consortium of 15 institutions from eight countries with the shared vision of addressing challenges in the agri-food industry through innovative data-driven strategies.

The project aims to achieve sustainable and healthier food by engaging stakeholders throughout the food supply chain. More data, including new data sources, unconventional players and better data sharing will provide insights for the food industry and drive the transition to sustainable and healthy food.

The project will address social and environmental challenges in the food chain that currently result in food insecurity, unhealthy diets and environmental damage. Using a multi-actor approach, FoodDataQuest will create and test advanced data-driven solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). This initiative represents a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system, balancing data openness with the protection of private data and sensitive stakeholder information.

FoodDataQuest will achieve this through four transformative use cases:

1. A DNA data-based AI system for food sustainability and traceability: Developed by AGROKNOW and BIOCOS, this approach aims to improve the sustainability and traceability of the olive oil supply chain, valorizing local species and producers and optimizing strategies against climate change.
2. Reimagining Food Services in Healthcare: This initiative, led by Intrasoft, SYREON, UMC Maribor and GS1, focuses on improving patient health and reducing food waste in hospitals and retirement homes, switching to nutritious, sustainable food options.
3. F2F Food Sustainability Insights: Led by ILVO, GS1, Colruyt Group, Nijsen company and Palau Project, this use case promotes a shift toward sustainable, healthy food by incorporating a mix of agricultural and unconventional data to support food quality and consumer choices.
4. Making consumers more aware of environmentally friendly choices: Coordinated by Wageningen University, with Tampere University and Palau Project as partners. This this use case aims to provide consumers with personalized eco-friendly choices through high-density data-driven communication, where AI technology is used to guide sustainable lifestyle decisions.

FoodDataQuest's ambitious goal is to inspire the global movement toward data-driven innovations that fuel sustainable food systems. As the consortium progresses, we will share our findings and developments, engaging citizens and industry stakeholders in the journey toward a new food ecosystem.

For more information about FoodDataQuest and its activities, visit the project website.