Launching the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley

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14.10.2019
Tractor on the Farm

The Canton of Vaud, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), the Hospitality Management School in Lausanne (EHL Group) and Nestlé have joined forces to develop and promote a global innovation ecosystem on food and nutrition. The initiative will be launched in 2020 as the “Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley”, with the aim to attract talent, start-ups and investment to the region.

Switzerland is home to a unique ecosystem in the area of food and nutrition. This is due to its deeply rooted agricultural tradition, an unmatched density of world-leading companies and scientific institutions as well as a large number of start-ups in areas such as food, nutrition, life sciences or robotics. Subsequent of the intensive collaboration among local players, leading innovation platforms have emerged in Switzerland, including in the areas of nutrition, nutrigenomics, alternative proteins, packaging sciences and sustainable agriculture.

To strengthen the existing innovation ecosystem further and attract talent, start-ups and investment to the region, the Swiss Canton of Vaud, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), the Swiss Hospitality Management School in Lausanne (EHL Group) and Nestlé have joined forces to establish the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley.  The initiative addresses major challenges of the future of food and nutrition using cutting-edge science and technology - from agriculture to waste, from innovative products to healthy, sustainable diets.

The official launch of the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley will take place at the World Economic Forum in Davos (House of Switzerland) on 23 January 2020.

The Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley is endorsed by the Swiss Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. The initiative was presented during a visit of the Federal Councillor to Nestlé Research on 11 October 2019. Mr Parmelin stated, “Food production in Switzerland is very close to my heart, both as a farmer by training and as minister for economic affairs. I, therefore, support initiatives like the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, where we highlight our Swiss competitive advantages in research, innovation and production.”

Stefan Palzer, CTO Nestlé S.A.: “Switzerland is home to a very unique innovation ecosystem for food and nutrition. Together we can more effectively address global challenges such as delicious, nutritious and affordable nutrition for all, sustainable packaging and mitigation of climate change.”

(Press release/ran)

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