SEGMENT TECHNICAL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
In FC 1 (Low oxygen juice extraction and mild preservation, Bodensee, DE) the mobile small-scale juice production unit with innovative vacuum extraction technology and PEF processing for preservation was built and tested and demonstrated in relevant environment. Feasibility test of the prototype were conducted and product quality was evaluated. Further technical improvements of the processing line took please as well as assessment of different electrode materials for PEF application for preservation of liquids.
In FC 2 (Low temperature drying, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Volvodeship, PL & Central Bohemian, CZ) the impact of different drying methods in combination with non-thermal pre-treatment on process kinetics and quality was studied. Based on those results it was decided that the FOX prototype unit will be constructed with the infrared assisted air-drying method (IR-CD) and the procedure can be preceded by a PEF treatment if required. The mobile unit for low temperature drying was assembled and the prototype was tested and demonstrated in relevant environment.
FC 3 partners (Quality analysis and sustainable packaging, Valencia, SP, Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur, FR) tested different technologies for the characterization of the suitable fresh fruits and vegetables on lab scale. Compact and sustainable conditioning processes (washing, peeling, cutting and post-treatments) were developed for different snack combinations. A mobile unit including hygienic principles, equipment and technical specifications was assembled. Innovative and sustainable packaging prototypes were developed for e-commerce as well as methods to characterize the performance of active natural coatings and bio composites as thermal insulation.
FC 4 (Upscaling plant side streams, Noord-Brabant, NL) the prototype of a software tool (the Processtimator) was realized to analyse processing routes, costs and quality properties of intermediate and end products of upcycling options for vegetable and fruit side streams. In two use cases the processing pathways for upcycling of plant-based side streams was demonstrated: (1) application of PEF as preprocessing technology of the side stream from carrot processing and (2) development and execution of a processing pathway of surplus green peas to a protein-rich food ingredient. Analysis included food safety, quality of resulting ingredients and shelf life.
SEGMENT IMPACT
Three general business model (BM) archetypes were developed in consideration of the potential adoption of the FOX processing units by farmers (cooperatives) or small food processors. Each of the archetypes was applied to the specific cases of the four FOX food circles. Business models developed in this study were validated and checked for their robustness with specific focus group in several of the FOX regions. The robustness check was related to various uncertainties in the developed scenarios.
To assess environmental performance relative to substitute products of the four processing solutions of Food Circle 1-4, a Life Cycle Analysis according to ISO 14044 & PEF was performed in 4 Phases: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. A comparison of the FOX food products with alternative market products was carried out and for this insights were provided by the consumer engagement activities. Similarly a 4-Phase economic impact assessment was carried out: operational profile and scenario setting, cost structure, maximum investment cost, and break-even sales and expected profits.
In parallel to the activities in the four food circles of Segment 1, an app has been developed as to build up a relationship and connection between consumers, food technologists, local producers and shops in the food circles. This FOXLINK app was implemented in all food circles in local languages and app activities were monitored. The process of designing and implementing FOXLINK was evaluated and based on experimental evidence, recommendations for communicating about FOX technologies to consumers were formulated.
SEGMENT OUTREACH
The extensive outreach strategy included widespread dissemination of project results & activities through various channels, including social media platforms, radio/TV, the FOX website, and various visual materials and articles. Activities towards specific target groups: USER: 16 demonstration days in the respective food circles and associated regions took place, on addition 20 individual demonstration days were organized, the established European Small Food Processors Interest Group had 335 subscribers at projects’ end; SCIENCE: 14 publications in peer-reviewed journals, 6 conference proceedings, 5 non-peer-reviewed scientific publications, and 5 articles in specialized magazines and journals; POLICY: A policy brief including 17 policy recommendations,
The project organised a final conference in September 2023 for the main target audiences.
