Track I: Consumer & Market Insights

• Track I Welcome & Day 2 Opening - Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights

Prepare for an engaging welcome and opening as our track chair sets the stage for an insightful journey ahead

• Alternative Proteins: An Overview of the State of the Industry in 2023 - Seren Kell, GFI

This talk will provide a deep dive into the global alternative protein sector, pulling out key insights from GFI’s recently published State of the Industry reports for 2023. We will take the birds eye view to cover the major developments in the commercial landscape, consumer insights, investment, government and regulation, and science and technology across plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-made meat, eggs, and dairy.

• The Path to Daily Plant-Based Consumer Adoption: Greenfield Designed - Sonia Huppert, IFF

At IFF, the focus lies in reshaping the future of food through the lens of sustainable and balanced eating. They are dedicated to empowering brands in crafting plant-based options that strike a delicate balance between familiarity and innovation, seamlessly integrating into consumers' daily diets. Guided by meticulously researched insights, IFF is at the forefront of cultivating a new era of plant-based concepts, poised to inspire the industry towards the creation of products that deeply resonate with consumers. Within their product development framework, a synergy between food designers and chefs harmonizes insights with artistic expression, resulting in the birth of ground-breaking culinary innovations. Through their pioneering approach known as Greenfield Design, IFF transcends conventional boundaries, catalysing the transformation of the plant-based landscape and spearheading initiatives that diversify the market while accelerating consumer adoption

• Panel Discussion: Consumer Acceptance of Cultivated Meat/Precision Fermented Foods -  Alex Mayers - The Good Food Institute, Annie Conde - Hoxton Farms & Anna Handschuh, Gourmey

This panel discussion will explore the acceptance of plant-based and cultivated products across various EU countries, examining factors influencing consumer attitudes and preferences. Additionally, it will delve into the backlash faced by farmers in the EU, using Italy as a case study to understand the challenges and implications within the agricultural sector.