Gastronomy and Nutrition

Flanders is home to world-class chefs, artisanal producers, and a vibrant food research community. It combines culinary excellence with a strong focus on sustainability, public health, and local production. Food here is a point of pride, but also a platform for tackling urgent global challenges such as climate change, chronic disease, and food insecurity.

Hosting your conference in Flanders means engaging directly with chefs, researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. All of them contribute to healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive food systems.

Flanders connects its gastronomy and nutrition policies with several Sustainable Development Goals, including those on health, responsible consumption, and climate action. The domain supports transitions in agriculture, education, food access, and public health. Your conference can help create impact by accelerating progress across key impact areas:

• Public health and nutrition: promoting healthy diets and addressing obesity and diet-related diseases
• Sustainable food systems: advancing circular agriculture, local sourcing, and waste reduction
• Cultural heritage and innovation: preserving traditional cuisine while pioneering new food techniques
• Tourism and local economy: strengthening Flanders’ position as a gastronomic destination and supporting small producers
• Education and youth engagement: building healthy food habits and culinary skills early in life
• Climate and biodiversity: reducing the ecological footprint of what we grow, cook, and eat

Support science-policy collaboration
Bring together researchers, regulators, and innovators to shape sustainable food policies grounded in science.

Boost culinary tourism and local economies
Events can highlight local ingredients, producers, and traditions, adding value and visibility to Flanders’ food culture.

Raise awareness and shift behaviours
Conferences often include public programmes that inform citizens about the links between food, health, and sustainability.

Strengthen inclusive food systems
By focusing on access, affordability, and community engagement, your event can support more just and resilient food cultures.

Foster global collaboration
Conferences are a platform for partnerships across borders, sectors, and disciplines, advancing the transition to healthy, fair, and future-proof food systems.