On June 12, the 5th edition of the New Food Forum event organized by ProVeg Poland took place at the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw.
As usual, there was no shortage of substantive presentations, and this year's focus was on the challenges of the plant-based industry, alternative protein sources, the need to transform and regulate the food system, and consumer expectations and needs in this regard.
One of the most important points of the program was the premiere of Poland's first meat grown on a cellular basis Lab Farm, which attracted the attention of both experts and enthusiasts of modern gastronomy. Just a big wow and a round of applause!
Meat grown under controlled laboratory conditions, without the need for animal breeding and slaughter, not only reduces the environmental impact of meat production, but also eliminates many of the problems associated with animal welfare. Experts pointed out the need for further research, investment and adaptation of legal regulations to ensure mass production and accessibility of this type of meat to consumers.
A few facts from the conference
- Arguments in favor of not eating meat and zoonotic products in relation to ecology (environment) and ethics (animal welfare) are still not convincing enough for Polish consumers.
- The most common reason for using meat and dairy substitutes is curiosity. But it doesn't create loyalty!
- Polish consumers are more easily persuaded not to eat meat than dairy products(according to the client, there is a fairly positive opinion about the consumption of dairy products and there is no specific reason why to limit dairy products).
- The opportunity in this context is to persuade the Polish consumer to change their habits, not by completely abandoning what they like, but by gradually reducing zoonotic foods - thus, the Flexitarian diet and reductarianism are becoming increasingly popular.
And some more interesting statistics – in Poland, only 4% of consumers say that they do not eat meat, 40% try to limit meat, and as the main motive for limiting meat consumption indicates that it is simply too heavily processed. Interestingly, in Germany, up to 53% of consumers try to limit meat and up to 55% point to caring for animals as a reason-this clearly shows the differences in the perception of a plant-based diet and at the same time highlights how much remains to be done in this regard in Poland.
The New Food Forum is not only an event that provides knowledge and inspiration, it is also a space to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with new technologies in the food industry, as well as an opportunity to meet great experts and producers of plant-based food.
Junior specialist in Marketing Communications and PR.
He is a graduate of the University of Warsaw and the Main School of Agriculture. We have been in the HoReCa industry for more than 10 years. For many years, he has been associated with the Trip group, Sobienie Royal Golf and Country Club, and the Florentin Restaurant in Warsaw.
She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw Technical University with a degree in Architecture for the Knowledge Society and Visual Communications at the Polytechnic University of Milan. A specialist in creating a mood. She has gained experience at home and abroad at numerous international seminars (Seville, Lisbon, Florence), fellowships at La Sapienza (Rome), etc. m.in. in Carmi e Ubertis and ADM Milano.
A manager with many years of experience in the cosmetics, food, and children's industries. During his career, he was associated with such companies as: L'Oreal, Samsung, Danone-Nutricia, Unilever. During his professional life, he was responsible, among other things, for the development of e-commerce sales and content in Poland and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. 
