About F4S
Food4Sustainability
Food4Sustainability CoLAB is a non-for-profit association dedicated to innovation in sustainable food production.
Its concept and circular production systems approach was developed through a collaborative process with relevant national and international stakeholders and experts as part of Building Global Innovators (BGI) collaboration with the Idanha-a-Nova (Portugal) municipality and involved various partners from the EIT Digital, Climate KIC and EIT Food networks.
What is a CoLAB?
In order to stimulate the creation of skilled jobs generating economic and social value in Portugal, the Government promotes research and innovation "laboratories" that bring together companies, universities and scientific centres, called Collaborative Laboratories (CoLAB).
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The CoLABs aim to meet the challenge of densification of the national territory in terms of knowledge-based activities, through increasing consolidation of forms of collaboration between science, technology and higher education institutions, and the economic and social fabric.
It all begins with a WHY
"We are fixing our food production value chain for a sustainable planet."
We need to reach carbon neutrality in the food production system.
Carbon neutrality means having a balance between the emission and capture of atmospheric carbon.
Farmers and producers have a key role in this path to carbon neutrality in food production, and they need help - support, knowledge and technology - to transition to organic and sustainable farming.
To ensure the continuity of food for future generations, we need everyone's involvement and commitment.
The population dictates consumption trends, and for this reason, it is urgent to disseminate sustainable food and consumption practices so that, together, we can achieve carbon neutrality.
Why we are doing this work?
Our DNA
Our DNA is formed by our MISSION - our purpose, the reason we exist - to our VISION - how we intend to work while pursuing our mission, the image of the future we want to create - the GOALS and STRATEGY we have set out, and it relies on valuable EXPERTISE.
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It expresses how every cell in Food4Sustainability is an important piece to help reach carbon neutrality and to guarantee the future of food supply.
MISSION
Create and share knowledge focused on sustainable, regenerative, and circular systems in food production.
VISION
Become a world reference organization, through the development and application of innovative, emerging, and low-cost solutions for CO2 mitigation and minimal use of chemicals, while promoting the efficient use of resources.
Our Goals
Test and implement novel approaches to food production systems that can massively impact several value chains in terms of:
1
CO2 Mitigation
2
Null use of chemicals
3
Sustainable intensification
- optimisation of land use -
4
Water preservation & environment impact
5
Efficiency in the whole value chain in the food industry
How?
Develop and test emerging approaches and technologies for sustainable intensification of food production.
Build capacity of farmers to adopt state-of-the-art solutions towards sustainable agriculture techniques.
Provide education and experimentation for other communities of interest and disseminate techniques on how to achieve higher yields in selected crops through specialised teams.
Strategy
The 5 pillars of our strategy will be supported by practical and applicable activities, capable of creating value for the entire food chain.
Expertise
They say “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.
Food4Sustainability has a wide team of partners, team members and support to be able to help the environment reap its benefits.
Team
F4S has a multidisciplinary and talented team dedicated to supporting the agricultural sector by executing and building value from research, development and deployment of innovation initiatives based on smart and sustainable applications. 
Timeline
Network
Recognition
