Sure, this is a very post-corona response. The global lockdown has triggered many new ways people can get information online and stay connected.

But, we have decided to explore a NEW type of worldwide conversation. Our ambition is to make it last.

The pandemic is creating catastrophic challenges for the entire global food supply chain. We have only begun to see the extent of human vulnerabilities as governments must put large parts of their economies on hold.

The time to change is now, but how?

Members of IFAMA’s global network are committed to improving processes that strengthen the food and ag-sector. And we need your input!

The pandemic is accelerating the urgency to construct a more resilient food system. As governments pour trillions of dollars —almost post WWII— ‘Keynesian’ style money into the economy, it requires intelligent input from all stakeholders. An articulated plan is sorely needed to create trust, add value, and manage the ongoing risks, losses, and cracks in the food system. It cannot be solely defined from the top down, as it is highly dependent on complex, interconnected networks.

Please join the conversations that help develop these criteria in a spirit of good governance, facilitating distributed entrepreneurship and vice versa.

The topics we'll bring forward for starters:
  • feeding and greening cities: horticulture
  • food production, food processing, and health
  • digitalization, trust, and new business models
  • food logistics and trade: regional versus global & city farming versus arable farming
  • the role of animals in the food system
  • the Dutch innovation push (triple helix) and its challenge to start a new S-curve: circularity
  • food security & geopolitical challenges


  • What’s the difference between this model and IFAMA’s classic four-day conference?
    IFAMA and Foodlog (along with our Dutch partners and sponsors) have joined forces to create a virtual platform for this event that will introduce, discuss, and deepen today’s conversations about the big challenges in the food system.

    The Forum Plenary Sessions will be different. We are creating both videoed segments and written content, of which we will invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. The platform will provide personal stories and inspiring cases. Moreover, it will evolve and grow topicality from the discussions occurring around the content.

    IFAMA 2020 Symposium will feature peer-reviewed research presented by the authors and business professionals. It includes case study workshops and roundtable discussions delivered in webinar-like segments that are recorded. It will look similar to how IFAMA’s academic Symposium has functioned for 30 years, but it will occur online and be available to view on-demand, so no matter where you live in the world, you can participate in the conversations.

    The very best ideas and discussions coming out of our classic approach will be integrated into the plenaries ‘digital journalism style’.

    Interested? Simply send us an email: ifama@foodlog.nl. We’ll let you know just as soon as the conversations take flight.

    Sponsors: City of Rotterdam, province of Zuid-Holland, Leiden Delft Erasmus Alliance of Universities, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University, and Foodlog.

    Foodlog is a leading Dutch news and discussion platform on food economy. It has over 15 years of experience instigating and moderating discussions about bigger and smaller challenges in food and agriculture.