World Food System Center Phase 3 Report

The Center's systems approach has nurtured collaboration across disciplines and borders. Through our activities, we bring together researchers, farmers, and experts from industry and policy to discuss and address the complex challenges of food security and sustainability.

Our research initiatives have made notable progress in the last years. Currently, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers work on more than 15 projects on topics linked to nutrition, sustainability tradeoffs in agricultural production, risks related to human and environmental health, and smart farming. To learn more about the projects, please visit our website or directly reach out to us.

Education remains at the heart of our mission. In summer 2025, we again offer a summer school. In this new format, we hope to inspire students with different backgrounds to develop ideas for real-world cases and hence drive positive change to key food system challenges.

Our annual Food Day has become an important event to share innovative research ideas and to foster dialogue among diverse stakeholders. Last year, we welcomed participants to engage in four workshops on topics such as ultra-processed foods, healthy and sustainable nutrition, and the future of the Swiss fruit production. The event also featured presentations highlighting research projects on digital twins to enhance sustainable production practices on farms, management practices to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, and impacts on the gut microbiome from food system chemicals.

Looking ahead, we aim to further advance the transformation towards sustainable food systems through innovative research, education, and increased collaboration. We are grateful for the continued support and partnership of you, our stakeholders, and look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Robert Finger, Chair
Martijn Sonnevelt, Executive Director