Objective
Strength2Food is a 5-year, €6.9 million project to improve the effectiveness of EU food quality schemes (FQS), public sector food procurement (PSFP) and to stimulate Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) through research, innovation and demonstration activities. Our 30-partner consortium representing 11 EU and 4 non-EU countries combines leading academic, communication, SME and stakeholder organisations to ensure a multi-actor approach. It will undertake case study-based quantitative research to measure economic, environmental and social impacts of FQS, PSFP and SFSC. The impact of PSFP policies on balanced nutrition in schools will also be assessed. Primary research will be complemented by advanced econometric analysis of existing datasets to determine impacts of FQS and SFSC participation on farm performance and survival, as well as understand price transmission and trade patterns. Consumer knowledge, confidence in, valuation and use of FQS labels and products will be assessed via cross-national survey, ethnographic and virtual supermarket-based research. Lessons from the research will be applied and verified in 6 pilot initiatives, focusing on less-developed and transition regions. These initiatives bring together academic and non-academic stakeholder partners in action research. The six pilot actions are: a school meals initiative to improve the nutritional outcomes and economic benefits for local agri-food producers; in-store trials (undertaken with a grocery retailer) to upscale sales of local produce; a scheme to stimulate a sustainable SFSC that adds value to the fishing community; and pilot actions to expand regional food labelling; increase sales of FQS products in non-traditional markers; and improve returns to local producers at food fairs and farmers’ markets (via a smartphone app). Project impact will be maximised through a knowledge exchange platform, hybrid forums, school educational resources, a Massive Open Online Course and practitioner recommendations.
Fields of science
- natural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistryquantitative analysis
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographycartographygeographic information systems
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growing
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsmobile phones
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne
United Kingdom
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Participants (31)
43100 Parma
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EH8 9YL Edinburgh
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6708 PB Wageningen
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54636 Thessaloniki
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75007 Paris Cedex 07
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
75116 Paris 16
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11000 Belgrade
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53113 Bonn
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0167 Oslo
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10000 Zagreb
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08860 Castelldefels
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
20122 Milano
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02 787 Warszawa
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10900 Bangkok
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700000 Ho Chi Minh
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1000 Bruxelles
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11000 Beograd
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11000 Beograd
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00187 Roma
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7100 Szekszard
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00 930 Warszawa
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NE6 1SD Newcastle-upon-tyne
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
00184 Roma
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43122 Parma
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11000 Belgrade
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10000 Zagreb
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312330 Arilje
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42124 Reggio Emilia
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
85354 Freising
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
34070 Montpellier
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
HR7 4UT Bromyard Herefordshire
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.