Scaling up the sustainable transition with agri-food SMEs

Join our joint event “Scaling up the sustainable transition with agri-food SMEs”. Organised by Copa-Cogeca, EuroCommerce, Euro Coop, FoodDrinkEurope, Independent Retail Europe, and UECBV.

The transition to more sustainable food system requires the entire food chain to rethink how we grow, transport, process, package, market, and consume our food and drink.

For small business in the food chain this is a daunting prospect that demands an unprecedented level of know-how and investment. And as part of the EU Code of Conduct on

Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices, small businesses up and down the food chain are meeting this challenge.

We showcase the very best in small business sustainability and find out how we can support SMEs in the transition to more sustainable food systems, leaving no-one behind.

The places to attend the event “in person” are limited so make sure to secure your place now!

**This event will be livestreamed. If you cannot join physically, wait for the live link which will be sent at a later stage**

10:50 – 11:00
Welcome from Todor Ivanov (Secretary-General, Eurocoop)

11:00 – 11:10
Small scale, big impact: celebrating the SMEs in Europe’s food chain – a keynote opening from Kristin Schreiber (Director, DG GROW, European Commission)

11:15 – 12:15
Best in class: SMEs and the sustainable transition – a showcase of great sustainability initiatives from Europe’s food makers and grocers

– Roel Vaes (Vlaams Hoeverund) – farm co-operative
– Jonathan de Cartier (Copains) – Belgian bakery
– Daniel Quest (METRO AG) – International wholesaler
– Tomasz Rychlik (Odido Wrząca) – Polish retailer

12:15 – 13:00
Leaving no-one behind – a discussion with Europe’s agri-food chain and EU policymakers on SME support in the sustainable transition

– Will Surman (FoodDrinkEurope)
– Else Groen (Independent Retail Europe)
– Alexandra Nikolakopoulou (Head of Unit, DG SANTE, European Commission)