Regional Food Systems

The food system drives and requires transformations - globally and locally.

We initiate and support projects for a participatory and resilient transformation of our food system on a local and regional level - for example in Swiss mountain regions. Collaboration with the local population and actors of the food system, are central components of our projects.  

Reference project: Mountain Valorization through Interconnectedness and Green Growth (MOVING)

Sustainable Value Chains and Consumption

Value chains are increasingly globalized, complex and consequently non-transparent.

We develop assessment methods and evaluate the sustainability of value chains comprehensively from the field to the plate. Among other things, we analyze whether agricultural production conditions are fair, to what extent standards deliver what they promise, and where sustainability challenges arise in the supply chain. In cooperation with stakeholders and partners from the field, we develop solutions and raise awareness among consumers for sustainable consumption decisions in nutrition.

Reference project: Neuentwicklung von labelinfo.ch

Agriculture und Climate Change

Agriculture is strongly affected by the impacts of climate change and itself causes high emissions of greenhouse gases.

We are investigating options for climate mitigation and adaptation. To promote a diversified climate-friendly crop production, we identify new suitable crops and evaluate their current and future suitability. The goal is locally adapted, sustainable agriculture based on the principles of agroecology.

Reference project: CONSUS

Promoting foodcops in Zurich

In foodcoops, individuals or households join to purchase food directly from producers. The cooperatives promote ecological production systems and short value chains and enable fairer prices for all parties involved. In the project "Promotion of Foodcoops in Zurich" we analyze the obstacles for the founding of foodcoops and encourage committed volunteers to found new cooperatives.

MOVING - Mountain Valorization through Interconnectedness and Green Growth

Europe's mountain regions are facing major challenges and changes. As part of the EU project MOVING, which involves 16 partner institutions from 23 countries, we are investigating in the Grisons mountains which value chains are particularly resilient and how we can learn from regional innovations in a sustainable way.

Neuentwicklung von labelinfo.ch

Sustainability standards represent an important support for the social, ecological and economic sustainability of consumer decisions. In this project, we re-evaluate standards from various product areas on the basis of a multi-criteria analysis and thus update the information platform labelinfo.ch.

Offensive Specialty Crops

To tackle climate change, emissions must also be reduced in agriculture. In the project Offensive Specialty Crops, we are conducting a site analysis for special crops such as fruit, berries, nuts or legumes as an alternative to animal production on behalf of the canton of Lucerne.

BSc Natural Resource Sciences
 

• Welternährungssysteme
• Designing Sustainable Food Systems
• Ökobilanzierung und Labelmanagement
• Praktikum in der Internationalen Zusammenarbeit
• Summer School «International Virtual Course»

MSc in Environment and Natural Resources
 

• Agroecology and Food Systems
• Agriculture for the Future
• Natural Resource Management in Emerging Economies
• Agrobiodiversity Summer School

Summer Schools

Students of ZHAW and other universities have the chance to participate in one of our international summer schools.

• Agrobiodiversity Summer School
• International Virtual Course

e-learning courses

Our freely available-learning courses are for anyone interested in sustainable food value chains.

• Designing Sustainable Food Systems

Foodscape

For a younger audience we have developed the online game Foodscape . The game teaches the connections between nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and the use of resources in a playful way.