The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) announced through a press release,  their newly available brochure “Local Food Systems – Recipes for Future proof business models”, produced in collaboration with fellow project partners DIL and KU Leuven. This publication delves into the development of scenarios for the food sector in 2035, shedding light on how resilient business models can adapt to the challenges of an ever-evolving world.

Their mission was to analyse how different futures could impact the food industry. In these scenarios, we glimpse into possible worlds and their implications for the food sector:

1. Sustainable Regulation: In the first scenario, policymakers take the lead in ensuring sustainability through stringent regulations and state-owned farmland for food production. Consumers prioritize sustainability and fair trade, yet price and quality remain decisive factors in their choices.
2. Citizen-Driven Change: The second scenario portrays a society where citizens are the driving force behind change. They willingly pay premium prices for sustainable, fairly traded, and locally sourced food. Individual farmers own the land, fostering biodiversity and resilience.
3. Commercial Competition: The third scenario presents a competitive landscape where commercial power reigns supreme. It’s characterized by growth, progress, competitive pricing, monocultures, and a loss of biodiversity. Here, sustainability is a priority, but companies predominantly apply it to safeguard their own interests for continued production and operation.

This publication zooms in on local food systems, showcasing how these future scenarios can deepen our understanding of the viability of business models within regional food processing and distribution. Fraunhofer ISI has played a key role in the FOX project by examining the integration of mobile processing units into these various future scenarios and the ensuing ramifications for business models.

For a comprehensive look at these scenarios and their implications, you can access the complete file in the Resources section of this website. Join us in exploring the exciting possibilities that lie ahead for the food sector in 2035 and beyond.