Harnessing Microbiomes for a Sustainable Food System
Harnessing Microbiomes for a Sustainable Food System: From Farm to Fork and Beyond
• Thursday, 1 October 2026 - 09:00–18:00 CEST
• BlankSpace Brussels, Rue d’Arlon 80, 1040 Brussels
• In-person, with hybrid participation available.
Eight EU projects, one question: can microbiomes help transform Europe’s food system?
Summary
Representatives from eight EU-funded research projects will meet in Brussels on 1 October 2026 to examine how microbiome science could support more sustainable and resilient food systems and healthier diets and what evidence, regulation and investment are still needed to move promising approaches into practice.
The event, “Harnessing Microbiomes for a Sustainable Food System: From Farm to Fork and Beyond”, will bring together researchers, European Commission representatives, industry, farmers, consumer organisations and other food system actors. Journalists are invited to attend and can request interviews with experts working on plant-based food innovation, fermentation, sustainable food production, food safety, nutrition and the gut microbiome.
Main text
Across Europe, researchers are exploring how microbiomes could help address food system challenges, from improving soil and crop resilience to developing better plant-based foods, reducing food waste and supporting healthier, more sustainable diets.
On 1 October 2026, eight EU-funded projects from the Microbiomes4SustainableFoods Cluster will come together in Brussels to discuss how promising microbiome research could move closer to practical application across farms, food businesses and consumer choices and diets.
The event will explore microbiomes across the food system, including soils, crops, food production, fermentation and the human gut. Topics will include sustainable and resilient food production, food safety and shelf life, plant-based food innovation, nutrition and the policy environment needed to support microbiome-based solutions.
Two roundtable discussions will bring researchers together with policymakers and industry representatives to discuss what evidence is still needed, what barriers may affect wider uptake, and how European research and food policy could support the responsible development of microbiome-based approaches.
Confirmed contributors include Giuseppina Luvara, European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation; Guido Giudetti, European Commission, European Research Executive Agency; Marco Candela, University of Bologna; Susana Carvalho, University of Porto; and Sandrine Claus, founder of Starfish, alongside scientists from the eight EU-funded projects.
Journalists covering EU food and research policy, sustainable food systems, plant-based foods and proteins, agrifood innovation, food technology, nutrition and health are invited to attend. Interviews can be arranged before or during the event.
Notes to editors
The event is organised by the Microbiomes4SustainableFoods Cluster, which brings together eight EU-funded projects: WHEATBIOME, MICROBIOMES4SOY, TRIBIOME, HealthFerm, DELICIOUS, FOODGUARD, MICROORC and DOMINO.
The projects explore how microbiomes can contribute to different parts of the food system, including sustainable food production, plant-based food innovation, fermentation, food safety, shelf life, nutrition and human health.
Journalists can request interviews with researchers and experts involved in the projects, including on:
• plant-based food innovation and fermentation;
• sustainable and resilient food production;
• food safety and shelf life;
• nutrition and the gut microbiome;
• the policy environment for microbiome innovation.
Event title: Harnessing Microbiomes for a Sustainable Food System: From Farm to Fork and Beyond
Date: Thursday, 1 October 2026
Time: 09:00–18:00 CET
Location: BlankSpace Brussels, Rue d’Arlon 80, 1040 Brussels
Format: In-person, with hybrid participation available
Registration: Microbiomes for the Future of Food Systems
Agenda: Microbiomes for the Future of Food Systems · Brussels 2026
Interview request deadline: Monday, 28 September 2026
Media contact:
Lorena Vargas, media@eufic.org
Media Manager, EUFIC