Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future: Collaboration as the Key to Food System Transformation
Every year on October 16th, World Food Day brings people together across the globe to reflect on one of humanity’s most fundamental challenges: ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has access to safe, nutritious and sustainable food. collective efforts to build fairer, more resilient food systems that leave no one behind.
More than four decades since its establishment by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in 1979, the mission behind World Food Day remains urgent as ever. This year’s theme, Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future, calls for collective efforts to build fairer, more resilient food systems that leave no one behind.
A World of Food Gaps: Inequality in Food Systems
Our global food system feeds billions, yet it leaves many behind. An estimated 673 million people face hunger, while paradoxically, some 900 million adults are obese. Nearly one-third of all food produced is wasted, even as millions struggle with food insecurity. At the same time, food production remains a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.
These issues are deeply interconnected, so the solutions we propose also need to be. Addressing them requires not only innovation, but collaboration between researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to reimagine how food is produced, distributed and consumed.
The infographic below breaks down the numbers behind these inequalities, offering a clearer picture of the challenges our food systems face today.
Foodscale Hub’s Role: Bridging Innovation and Impact
At Foodscale Hub, we believe that innovation has the power to transform food systems, making them accessible, inclusive and rooted in real-world needs. Acting as a bridge between academia and industry, Foodscale Hub turns ideas into practical, scalable solutions that strengthen resilience, sustainability and equity across the food value chain.
From digital transformation to smarter labeling and local food economies, Foodscale Hub’s projects demonstrate how science, technology and collaboration can reshape the future of food.
Supporting Farms and Communities
Through a range of projects, Foodscale Hub supports communities across Europe.
Small and mid-sized farms lie at the heart of Europe’s food supply, but limited access to digital innovation often keeps them from reaching their full potential. The Farmtopia project helps bridge this gap by making smart farming tools more accessible and practical for everyday use. Through smarter resource management and reduced waste, the project empowers rural communities while contributing to a food system that is more sustainable, efficient, and resilient to future challenges.
A more sustainable future depends on local and inclusive food economies. Through INCITIS-FOOD, Foodscale Hub helps connect innovation with communities by promoting circular business models, supporting local food entrepreneurs and creating pathways for citizens to actively participate in shaping their food systems. This project redefines innovation as a collective effort, ensuring that growth and sustainability go hand in hand.
Transparency is key to building trust in the food chain. The WISEFOOD project is developing three apps to promote smarter labeling systems and transparent supply chains, enabling both producers and consumers to make informed, sustainable choices. By bridging the gap between awareness and action, WISEFOOD contributes to a more responsible and conscious food culture.
The Power of Collaboration
No single organisation can solve the complex challenges facing our food systems. The work of Foodscale Hub and our partners demonstrates the power of cross-sector collaboration, where research meets entrepreneurship and local knowledge meets global vision. Together, these projects contribute to a food system that is fairer, more resilient, and more sustainable, ensuring that innovation serves people and the planet alike.
Toward a Better Food Future
The future of food isn’t just on the table – it’s in how we work together to grow it. Collaboration feeds us all. The food on your plate is the product of many minds and many hands, and our challenge is to make sure no one is left behind.
At Foodscale Hub, we’re committed to advancing this vision every day by supporting innovators, empowering communities and scaling sustainable solutions that drive meaningful change.