In June 2025, FOODITY joined DRG4FOOD, SOSFood, and FoodDataQuest to host the first joint workshop of the Data4Food Cluster, bringing together citizens, researchers, innovators, and food system actors to explore a shared challenge: what enables and hinders data sharing for sustainable food solutions.
The online workshop attracted strong interest, with more than 70 registrations and over 45 active participants. Discussions focused on how data and AI-powered solutions can significantly improve the sustainability of our food systems while also addressing concerns about privacy, trust, and data access for both citizens and industry.
Participants explored the topic from two complementary perspectives. From the citizens’ side, discussions highlighted concerns about privacy, data misuse, and unclear third-party access, as well as the importance of transparency, informed consent, and giving people real control over their personal data. At the same time, participants recognised the potential benefits of data sharing, including more personalised services, better user experiences, and positive societal and environmental impact.
From the perspective of industry and food system actors, the conversations focused on the need for access to consumer, supply chain, environmental, and behavioural data, as well as the barriers that currently limit data sharing. These include commercial sensitivities, lack of trust, technical challenges, and the complexity of data protection regulations. Participants also discussed the opportunities that responsible data sharing and AI can offer, such as improved transparency, supply chain optimisation, and innovation across the food sector.
The insights from the workshop have been captured in a joint report by the Data4Food Cluster, a collaboration between FOODITY, DRG4FOOD, SOSFood, and FoodDataQuest.
The report presents key challenges, opportunities, and recommendations to foster more transparent, trustworthy, and effective data-sharing practices for sustainable food systems, with a strong focus on collaboration, citizen empowerment, ethical AI, and responsible data governance.
Read the joint report.
About the projects
At FOODITY, we have supported the development of 12 groundbreaking, data-driven solutions for food and nutrition through a €2 million Pilot Development Programme, with a strong focus on citizens’ personal data sovereignty. These multidisciplinary projects explore how digital tools can empower individuals to make healthier, more sustainable food choices while ensuring data privacy. Explore the solutions developed by innovators from FOODITY’s Open Call 1 and Open Call 2.
DRG4FOOD, our sister project, has funded additional use cases with €1.9 million, supporting solutions in targeted nutrition, food traceability, and consumers’ food choices. The funding has been directed to research groups, start-ups, SMEs, and innovators interested in implementing dedicated tools and applications that address the Digital Responsibility Goals.
FoodDataQuest aims to revolutionise the EU food system through a data-driven framework that integrates novel public and private data sources, including contributions from unconventional players. By leveraging data-sharing mechanisms, AI, and machine learning, the project empowers stakeholders across the food value chain to drive a shift toward sustainable and healthy diets.
SOSFood will accelerate the green transition of food systems by using the great potential of Artificial Intelligence-based technologies. The project aims to support all stakeholders in the food chain in making well-informed decisions through a multi-factorial, multi-actor, and multi-scale approach, enabling more productive, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food systems.
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