Webinaire
Mission to Belgium and The Netherlands: at the intersection of technological and social innovations for a sustainable food system transition
As part of its international initiatives, the Pôle bioalimentaire has launched efforts to accelerate the transition toward sustainable and resilient food systems by drawing inspiration from best practices around the world. We invite you to explore this experience through a series of four free webinars presented by students who participated in the Pôle’s international missions. This webinar presents the international mission to Belgium and The Netherlands.
Summary
As part of the preparations for the Assises bioalimentaires 2026, a delegation composed of four students from Université Laval, an INAF research professional, and a professor from HEC Montréal traveled to the Netherlands and Belgium to explore inspiring initiatives transforming how food is produced, distributed, and consumed.
Over several days, the team met with researchers, entrepreneurs, institutional stakeholders, innovation clusters, and food aid organizations. In the Netherlands, the innovation ecosystem structured around Wageningen University & Research and Food Valley, along with companies within Delta Agrifood Business, illustrates how strong coordination between academia, industry, and government fosters sustainable agri-food practices. In Belgium, the Wagralim cluster supports a competitive and sustainable food system transition by connecting companies and research centers.
Field observations included urban greenhouses, aquaponics systems, food by-product valorization, and numerous innovations in alternative proteins. Circular economy principles are highly tangible: waste becomes a resource, flows are optimized, and logistics infrastructure plays a key role in reducing food loss.
However, sustainable food system transition extends beyond technology. In Belgium, networks of social grocery stores and food aid organizations show that logistical efficiency can coexist with respect for human dignity. Food education and shared governance are central to building trust and addressing misinformation.
This mission highlights a key takeaway: transforming food systems requires integrating technological innovation, social inclusion, economic performance, and overall health into a coherent vision. The Assises bioalimentaires 2026 will provide an opportunity to continue this collective reflection and adapt these insights to the Quebec context.
Informations
📅 Date and time: june 11, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
🎥 Recording available for all registered participants
