Polytechnic of Viana do Castelo is part of a European project to combat food waste: Gazeta Rural

Food Chase aims to build sustainable food chain ecosystems and reduce high levels of waste, ranging from production to consumption.

In a joint effort to combat food waste across Europe, the Polytechnic of Viana do Castelo is one of the members of Food Chase, a project funded by the Erasmus+ Program, with the mission of building sustainable food chain ecosystems and reducing high waste rates, ranging from production to consumption.

The most recent data demonstrates that food waste occurs at different stages, from production to consumption. Therefore, the fight against this waste is a battle that requires coordinated efforts at all stages of the supply chain. The problem is identified. We now need to find solutions. And the key lies in creating efficient information flows and collaboration between the different actors in the food sector.

It is with this problem in mind that Food Chase arises, a project of which the Polytechnic of Viana do Castelo is part, and which kicked off last week, with a meeting in Viana do Castelo, bringing together representatives of the 12 international partners.

Food Chase – Food Supply-Chain Ecosystems for Sustainability is an international cooperation project within the scope of the Erasmus+ program, which brings together partners from Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Romania and Switzerland, and which demonstrates the commitment of these institutions to promoting education, innovation and sustainability in the food industry.

The project, lasting three years, has as its main objective to put academic thought, scientific knowledge, organizations and companies in the sector at the same table, so that, together, they can find solutions capable of promoting sustainability and supporting the circular economy through the creation of Food Supply Chain Ecosystems.

Reference project in the European Union

In an initial phase, the project will focus on the creation of a “Food Chain Competence Framework”, which will serve as a reference in the food industry at European Union level. This framework will be essential for the development of innovative curricula and guidelines and practical experiences aimed at updating and improving the skills of professionals in the sector.

In addition, Food Chase also aims to identify a new professional figure, “the ‘From Farm to Fork’ Specialist”, focused on reducing the environmental footprint of the food supply chain.