SWITZERLAND – Nestle has joined forces with stakeholders in the industry in the creation of a new initiative dubbed “Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley” that seeks to develop and promote a global innovation ecosystem on food and nutrition.
Through the initiative, Nestle together with other founding partners;Swiss Canton of Vaud, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and the Swiss Hospitality Management School in Lausanne (EHL Group) aim to further attract talent, start-ups and investment to the region.
The Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley builds on the successful intensive collaboration among local players, leading innovation platforms that have emerged in Switzerland in the food and beverage industry, agriculture and sustainability initiatives.
With the creation of the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, the founding partners aim to strengthen the existing innovation ecosystem further and attract talent, start-ups and investment to the region.
The Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley 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.
Stefan Palzer, CTO Nestlé S.A. said,“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.”
Philippe Leuba, State Councilor, Canton of Vaud added, “This new initiative will accelerate further the collaborations between all the players already present, and it will actually help to develop and reinforce innovation in the area of nutrition.”
The Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley will be officially launched in January 2020 and has been endorsed by the Swiss Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Mr Parmelin stated: “Food production in Switzerland is very close to my heart, both as 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.”
Martin Vetterli, President EPFL: “We look forward to collaborating in the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley to further strengthen research and innovation in an area that is of key importance to Switzerland.”
