STICHTING EFFOST

Their core work

EFFoST (European Federation of Food Science and Technology) is a professional association based in Wageningen that connects food scientists, technologists, and industry across Europe. They facilitate knowledge transfer, training, and networking across the food science community, bringing dissemination expertise and access to a broad professional network into EU research consortia. Their role in projects typically involves organizing outreach, stakeholder engagement, training activities, and bridging the gap between food research outputs and industry adoption.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), EFFoST focused on agri-food innovation ecosystems, SME support tools, and food quality assurance — projects like INNO-4-AGRIFOOD and OLEUM reflect a role centered on connecting researchers with industry and ensuring product authenticity. From 2019 onward, their involvement shifted decisively toward circular food systems: side-stream valorization (AQUABIOPROFIT, INGREEN), compact/mobile food processing (FOX), and reducing food chain emissions (ENOUGH). This mirrors the broader EU policy shift toward the Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork strategy.

EFFoST is increasingly oriented toward sustainability in the food chain — expect future involvement in projects addressing food waste reduction, bio-based ingredients, and low-carbon food logistics.

How they like to work

EFFoST exclusively participates as a partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is consistent with their role as a professional federation rather than a research-performing organization. With 196 unique consortium partners across 27 countries, they function as a wide-reaching network node, connecting diverse actors rather than repeatedly working with the same tight group. Their value to consortia lies in dissemination reach, industry contacts, and the ability to mobilize food science professionals across Europe.

An exceptionally broad network of 196 unique partners across 27 countries, reflecting their role as a pan-European food science federation. Their Wageningen base connects them to the Netherlands' world-leading food research cluster, while their membership extends their reach across all major EU food science hubs.

What sets them apart

EFFoST's distinctive value is that they are not a research lab or company — they are the connective tissue of European food science. Partnering with them gives a consortium instant access to a professional network spanning academia, industry, and regulatory bodies across 27 countries. For anyone building a food-related consortium, EFFoST provides unmatched dissemination reach and credibility with the European food science community.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NanoPack
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 353,750), applying nanotechnology to food packaging — an unusual cross-sector topic for a food science association.
• OLEUM
  Longest-running project (2016–2021), addressing olive oil fraud with analytical solutions and an end-users network — directly linking science to market integrity.
• FOX
  Developed modular and mobile food processing units, representing a concrete, deployable technology rather than pure research — strong business application potential.