🚀 Innovation, impact and opportunities in 2026

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The Feed - January & February 2026  Hello joe,   Welcome to the first edition of The Feed for 2026.    We’re starting the year with encouraging news: EIT Food has been recognised by the Financial Times for its impact and leadership in driving innovation across the agrifood sector, a strong signal of the progress being made across our community.    As momentum builds in 2026, this edition brings you the latest news, insights and stories shaping the future of food, from breakthrough innovation and investment to research, consumer trust and systems change in action.    Together, we continue working towards a food system that is resilient, transparent and built for long-term impact.    We hope you enjoy it,  The EIT Food Team

News and Insights

From shifting consumer expectations to breakthrough innovation in sustainable production, our Top 6 Trends for 2026 explore the forces set to define the year ahead. The analysis highlights where the biggest opportunities and challenges lie for the agrifood sector.  Top 6 Food Trends Shaping 2026  Explore the trends

EIT Food has been recognised by the Financial Times for its contribution to innovation and impact across the agrifood sector. The recognition highlights the strength of our community and the role of collaboration in accelerating sustainable food systems transformation across Europe and beyond. EIT Food recognised by the Financial Times Discover more The 2025 Innovation Prize winners showcase the bold ideas and entrepreneurial drive needed to transform our food system. From sustainable solutions to scalable technologies, these innovators are turning ambition into real-world impact.  Celebrating the Innovation Prize Winners  Meet the winners

EIT Food has been named by Food Tank as one of the top organisations to watch in 2026, recognising our role in growing Europe’s food innovation ecosystem and accelerating systemic change. The acknowledgement highlights our continued work to empower entrepreneurs, mobilise science-backed innovation and scale solutions that strengthen food security, resilience and sustainability across the food value chain.  EIT Food featured by Food Tank  Read more The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) has released its latest Impact Study, showing how Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem drives growth, skills, and sustainable transformation. EIT Food, alongside other KICs, supported and contributed, demonstrating how collaboration between education, research, and business delivers measurable results. EIT launches new Impact Study Read the study

Impact and Inspiration

Empowering people through AMPLE EIT Food’s AMPLE programme works across Europe to create employment opportunities and strengthen skills in vulnerable communities. Participants in cities from Madrid to Warsaw launched new agrifood startups, and improved employment or salary conditions. Uncover their impact

Resilient Agriculture Think & Do Tank  EIT Food’s Resilient Agriculture Think & Do Tank brings together partners from across Europe to share knowledge, overcome barriers, and drive innovation in resilient farming. By promoting climate-smart practices and strengthening ecosystems, the initiative supports long-term food security and sustainable food systems.  Learn more

Connecta2Invest: connecting capital with agrifood tech innovation EIT Food’s Connecta2Invest platform bridges Europe’s agrifood tech funding gap by linking pre-vetted startups with investors. By streamlining deal flow and providing access to high-potential startups, the initiative accelerates innovation across the food system and supports scalable solutions for a sustainable future.  Find out more

Open Day of Navarra 360º Landscape  The initiative currently covers more than 4,000 hectares under regenerative transition, with 38 farmers involved and more than 60 individual transition plans designed and implemented. Read more

Events and Opportunities

📣 EIT Food Calls Calendar 2026 EIT Food’s calendar for the 2026 calls is now online. Discover what’s coming this year across Regenerative Agriculture, Protein Diversification, and Agrifood Biotechnology and stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to get involved. Apply now

🌱 Help shape the digital future of Europe’s agrifood manufacturing sector As a TAURUS project partner, EIT Food supports skills development for Europe’s agrifood manufacturing sector.   Take the 10-minute anonymous survey to share your company’s training needs and help shape tailored solutions for the Industry 4.0 and 5.0 transition.   Have your say

Innovation Spotlight

Kokomodo: real cacao without trees, the future of sustainable chocolate  Kokomodo grows real cacao cells in controlled environments, creating full-flavour, ethical cacao without deforestation or exploitative labour. Supported by EIT Food, they are scaling sustainable cacao for chocolate, drinks, and nutraceuticals.    Find out how

Women Innovators Prize: EIT Food semifinalists  Three innovators supported by EIT Food, Madeleine Gielens (MaGie Creations), Tali Feldman Sivan (Meala FoodTech) and Stefania Raimondo (Navhetec), have been nominated in the EIT Women Leadership category of the 2026 European Prize for Women Innovators. Their work is recognised for advancing healthier, more sustainable solutions across the agrifood sector.  Discover more

Listen to this

Next Bite 2025: What It Really Takes To Build Healthier Lives Recorded live at Next Bite 2025 in Brussels, this Food Fight special explores EIT Food’s mission to create healthier lives. Hear innovators discuss alternative proteins, seaweed ingredients, personalised nutrition, and co-creation approaches that make healthy food accessible, tasty, and sustainable. Listen now

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