The European organic food sector embarks on an exciting new chapter with the launch of InnOFoodLabs – innovative, locally-driven, multi-actor Organic Food Labs, a Horizon Europe-funded project dedicated to transforming organic food value chains into vibrant pillars of local economies.
With a duration of 48 months, InnOFoodLabs will advance 23 innovations through 12 Living Labs spread across 9 European countries, supported by a dynamic Community of Practice. The project officially began on the 1st September 2025, and was officially launched during the kick-off meeting, which took place on 23–25 September in Witzenhausen, Germany.
Hosted by Kassel University, the meeting brought together partners from across Europe for three days of collaboration, inspiration, and strategic planning. The agenda featured insightful presentations, including guidance on Horizon Europe project management from Grazyna Galazka, REA Project Officer, and Ana Patricia Lopez Blanco, Policy Officer at the European Commission. Participants also had the opportunity to connect with the sister project WINN-Organic (Widening INNovations for ORGANIC food) and explore the current landscape of organic value chains in the EU.
The gathering fostered meaningful connections among project partners, who shared their visions, expertise, and organizational missions. Together, they laid the groundwork for the first year of activities, engaging in workshops, discussions, and collaborative planning sessions. The group also visited inspiring local organic initiatives, including Solawi Höhberg Kollektiv and Gut Fahrenbach, which exemplify the values and goals of InnOFoodLabs.
At its core, InnOFoodLabs is a transdisciplinary, multi-actor initiative that brings together farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, researchers, and advisers. The project’s innovations will focus on small-scale food processing, sustainable packaging, farmer-processor connections, and novel supply and distribution models. Each Living Lab will develop tailored innovation roadmaps, track progress through innovation diaries, and assess sustainability impacts using customized frameworks.
The Community of Practice will play a vital role in knowledge exchange and capacity building, offering peer-to-peer learning, training, and study visits at both national and international levels. The project will also explore stakeholder attitudes, consumer acceptance, and develop bespoke business models to support the scaling-out of successful innovations.
InnOFoodLabs aligns with the the EU Organic Action Plan, contributing to the goal of achieving 25% organic farmland share by 2030. By strengthening consumption and market opportunities for organic farmers, the project supports the transition to more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems.
As InnOFoodLabs begins its journey, it carries a shared vision: to empower local communities, foster innovation, and champion organic food as a cornerstone of a healthier and more sustainable Europe.
Stay tuned! You can follow the project’s journey and updates on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/innofoodlabs/, where we’ll be sharing stories, milestones, and opportunities to engage.
