Experts of the Leibniz Research Network "Sustainable food production and healthy nutrition" discussed in the context of GFFA 2016 urgent issues of securing a healthy food supply for growing cities.

 Already, more than 25 percent of the world's population lives in cities. Of this continuing trend towards urbanization migration intensifies the matter. Changing lifestyles and dietary patterns lead not only to a change in demand, they also result in metabolic diseases. In addition we face a globalized trade of food. 

What are the consequences of these developments for the food production and its safety? What is healthy food and how can we continue to feed us in a healthy way? 

Strong consensus amongst the participants of the panel was about nutritional education. Education already in preschool can help to build holistic and healthy nutrition patterns for the future. A desirable result could be an altered consumer behavior and demand, which affects directly food production and its safety.

The experts also agreed on increased use of new, resource-efficient technologies and information-based management (agriculture 4.0) to enable sustainable and climate-friendly food production. An optimized knowledge transfer and more conscious use of resources in terms of sustainability should be a common practice. 

To create successful solutions along the entire value chain, we need to increase interdisciplinary cooperation of all partners – from industry, research and politics. To Successful solutions for the future along the entire value chain to develop CAN, was needed urgently increased efforts and interdisciplinary cooperation of all partners - from industry, research and politics.  

The Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) is an international conference that focuses on central questions concerning the future of the global agri-food industry. It is held during International Green Week (IGW) and will be taking place in its current shape for the eighth time. The forum gives representatives from the worlds of politics, business, science and civil society an opportunity to share ideas and enhance understanding on a selected topic of current agricultural policy. The GFFA is organised by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMEL) in cooperation with GFFA Berlin e.V., the Senate of Berlin and Messe Berlin GmbH. 

Program and participants