4th June, Amsterdam, Netherlands – Flora Food Group successfully hosted its third annual Next Generation of Food Conference at the company's Food Science Centre in Wageningen, bringing together over 80 senior leaders from across the global food ecosystem to address critical questions facing sustainable food system transformation. 

The conference featured prominent keynote speakers including Jack A Bobo, Executive Director at the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, and Dr. Gunhild Anker Stordalen, Founder of the EAT Foundation. 

Key Themes Explored 

Three major themes emerged from the day's discussions: 

The Just Food Transition Under Pressure: Industry experts examined how political polarisation, economic pressures, and entrenched interests are creating barriers that require more sophisticated strategies to overcome. 

Information Overload in Health and Nutrition: Panels addressed how consumers are navigating conflicting nutritional advice, highlighting the critical need for evidence-based communication in an era of information abundance. 

Evolving Food Identity: Discussions explored whether Generation Alpha may be the first generation to move beyond rigid dietary labels, creating both opportunities and challenges for food marketing and communication. 

Expert Panel Discussions 

The conference featured three comprehensive panel discussions moderated by Flora Food Group leadership: 

Sally Smith, Chief Sustainability Officer, moderated "Breaking Down Barriers to Change," featuring Marin Vandamme (Fellow at The School for Moral Ambition), Marc Coloma (CEO of Heura Foods), Nico Muzi, and Lucy Wallace (Director of Global Relationships at EIT Food). 

Joost Verhagen, Chief Insights Officer, guided discussions on "Next Generation Information," with panellists Laura Fernández Celemín (Director General at EUFIC), Shana Minei Spence (The Nutrition Tea), and Vicky Bond. 

Herman Betten, Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer, moderated "Next Generation Consumer Experience," featuring Tom Hunt (Food Writer at Guardian Feast), Juliane Caillouette Noble (Managing Director at Sustainable Restaurant Association), and Adam Clyne (CEO of Coolr). 

Innovation Reception Showcases Future of Food 

The conference concluded with an Innovation Reception featuring an Eat-Lancet aligned menu designed by Flora Food Group's executive chefs. The dining experience demonstrated how sustainable food concepts can deliver both environmental benefits and exceptional taste. 

Industry Impact 

"We can't transform the food industry on our own” said David Haines, Group CEO of Flora Food Group. “We need partners to transform the global food industry. Whether you're a policymaker, journalist, innovator, or work in the media, we really need everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. That's why events like this are so important”.  

The discussions reinforced Flora Food Group's position that creating sustainable and delicious alternatives is just the beginning of necessary systemic change, which requires shifting consumer behaviour, influencing policy frameworks, and building consensus between private sector, public sector, and civil society. 

About Flora Food Group 

Banded food champion Flora Food Group offers the next generation of delicious, natural, nutritious food. Our products are more affordable and more sustainable than their dairy equivalents. We offer consumers a compelling choice in four growing categories: butters and spreads, creams, culinary and cheeses. We hold leadership positions in many of the 100+ countries we operate in, with iconic brands including Flora, Becel+ProActiv, BlueBand, Country Crock, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Rama, and Violife, together with our local brands and Professional business. We have 150+ years of heritage, deep R&D expertise and a relentless commitment to delivering delicious, nutritious food. We own and operate 14 manufacturing sites across five continents. Flora Food Group is headquartered in Amsterdam (Netherlands) and employs ~4,800 people; the company reported net sales of EUR 3.1billion in 2024.  

Media Contact 

For more information about the Next Generation of Food Conference or Flora Food Group: 

Email: medialine@florafg.com