Building FOOD 2040

Stakeholder Input for the new EU R&I Strategic Agenda for Food Systems

Analysis and synthesis of the results from the open consultation survey – edited by Alessandro GALLINA, Pierre-Mathieu PELISSIER – Directorate-General for Research and Innovation – 2026 Healthy Planet

The report Building FOOD 2040 – Stakeholder Input for the New EU R&I Strategic Agenda for Food Systems, edited by Alessandro Gallina and Pierre-Mathieu Pelissier, presents the analysis and synthesis of an extensive open consultation involving 631 survey responses and 63 supporting documents.

The findings demonstrate strong stakeholder commitment to the future of European food systems research and innovation (R&I). Respondents highlighted the value of the Food 2030 systems approach in fostering integrated, multi-actor and cross-sector collaboration, while identifying opportunities to further strengthen the framework in response to evolving policy, market, environmental and geopolitical challenges.

Three key messages emerged from the consultation. First, Food 2040 should deepen engagement with actors across the entire food chain, particularly in post-farm-gate sectors such as food manufacturing, logistics, retail and waste management. Second, stakeholders call for a more operational framework with defined priorities, expected impacts and monitoring mechanisms. Third, stronger support is needed to accelerate the transition from research excellence to real-world application through pilot infrastructures, access to finance, strategic investments and predictable regulatory pathways.

Overall, the report highlights the importance of building on the achievements of Food 2030 while reinforcing connections between science, innovation, industry, policy and citizens. Such an approach can help Europe scale up food-systems innovation and strengthen the resilience, sustainability, competitiveness and health outcomes of its food systems.

Within this context, the EU Food Safety Platform is actively contributing to the dialogue on Europe’s food systems future by shaping the upcoming EU Food Safety Forum 2026, which will explore the transition from the Food 2030 vision towards the emerging Food 2040 Strategic Agenda for Research and Innovation. It is helping drive this discussion by fostering the Science-Policy-Society dialogue, bringing together stakeholders to reflect on future priorities for food systems research, innovation, and impact.