Innovation Hub for Healthy Food set to debut at MACFRUT 2024

ITALY – MACFRUT, the renowned Fruit & Veg Professional Show, is set to unveil its groundbreaking “Innovation Hub for Healthy Food” in collaboration with the University of Bologna, DISTAL (Food Science Campus in Cesena), and the Centre for Industrial Agrifood Research.

Scheduled for May 8-10, 2024, at the Rimini Expo Centre, this new exhibition will be a focal point for sustainable products and processing technologies, spotlighting the creation of functional foods with high nutritional value.

The Innovation Hub aims to provide a platform for internationally renowned researchers and innovative companies to showcase and discuss innovative fruit and vegetable products and the cutting-edge processes behind their production.

In addition to themed workshops and demonstration activities, the exhibition will feature in-depth sessions on emerging environmentally friendly processing technologies.

According to Dr. Alessandro Bertuzzi, Professor at the University of Bologna, and coordinator of the Innovation Hub, “This exhibition is a direct response to the evolving consumer preferences for healthier food options. We’re focusing on sustainable practices and technologies that not only enhance nutritional value but also align with environmental considerations.”

The program will delve into alternative processing technologies, steering away from traditional thermal treatments.

Topics will cover the preparation of fresh and minimally processed juices/extracts, fruit and vegetable snacks, advanced fresh-cut produce, and vegetable creams produced through precision fermentation.

The exhibition aims to guide companies in the sector toward implementing innovative and competitive projects, both domestically and internationally.

Meanwhile, the commercial team of MACFRUT is actively engaging with leading companies in the healthy food sector.

Several have already confirmed their participation, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to promoting healthier alternatives.

Spotlight on Global Trends and Innovations

A key highlight of the 41st edition of MACFRUT will be the Table Grape Symposium, featuring global leaders, market trends, marketing policies, new cultivars, and technological innovations.

The international trade fare, scheduled for May 8-10, 2024, will host industry experts, showcasing the prominence of table grapes.

Bruno Mezzetti of the Marche Polytechnic University, coordinator of the symposium, emphasized the growth trend in global table grape production, especially in Europe.

Italy, being the leading producer and exporter in Europe, is expected to play a pivotal role in discussions about innovation, plant variety protection, propagation techniques, precision farming, quality, and market management.

The symposium, structured around an international symposium, field visits, an exhibition area, and networking activities, aims to foster collaboration among researchers, experts, and industry professionals to address crucial issues in the table grape sector.

With these initiatives, MACFRUT 2024 is poised to be a convergence point for sustainable innovation and a catalyst for discussions on the future of healthy food production and the table grape industry.

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