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Strengthening European Food Chain Sustainability by Quality and Procurement Policy

Project description

DEENESFRITPL

A boost for food quality and supply chains

Improving Europe’s food quality schemes (FQS), public sector food procurement (PSFP), and short food supply chains (SFSC) is a pressing challenge. To tackle this issue, the EU-funded Strength2Food project has emerged with a goal to enhance the effectiveness of these vital components through research, innovation, and demonstrations. Led by a consortium of 30 partners from 11 EU and 4 non-EU countries, Strength2Food quantifies the economic, environmental, and social impacts of FQS, PSFP, and SFSC. It assesses the influence of PSFP policies on school nutrition. Through pilot initiatives and knowledge exchange, this project seeks to foster a sustainable and resilient European food system. Building on their findings, Strength2Food will conduct six pilot initiatives targeting less-developed and transitioning regions.

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

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

H2020-SFS-2014-2015

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Sub call

H2020-SFS-2015-2

Funding Scheme

RIA - Research and Innovation action

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Net EU contribution
€ 739 643,75
Address
KINGS GATE
NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne
United Kingdom

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Region
North East (England) Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Tyneside
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 744 143,75

Participants (31)

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Last update: 7 December 2023

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/678024

European Union, 2024