European diets are imbalanced, with excessive consumption of protein, primarily from animals- twice the recommended amount per capita. At the same time, the intake of dietary fibre and essential micronutrients such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and vitamins is too low.
In response, plant-based food alternatives are gaining popularity, but many rely on ultra-processed ingredients, such as protein isolates, that lack essential nutrients and contain excessive levels of additives. Healthier plant-based options are often dismissed by consumers due to their taste, texture, and higher costs.
Current plant-based foods are often based on ultra-processed ingredients.
Current food systems are unsustainable
Meat- and dairy-based food production has a strong environmental impact, contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, extensive land use, and soil and water pollution. Likewise, many current plant-based foods, which rely on ultra-processed ingredients, are obtained through inefficient processing methods that demand high water and energy, as well as generate large amounts of waste. This overuse of natural resources results in high production costs, ultimately driving up food prices for consumers.
“We need a paradigm shift in the European food system to support both human health and the planet.”
“Plant-based foods offer a promising alternative, but to drive a real change, they must be nutritious, satisfying, and produced sustainably.”
Sustain-a-bite brings healthy, tasty, and environmentally friendly plant-based foods
Sustain-a-bite is a European project that addresses these challenges by developing innovative, healthy plant-based foods that are minimally processed. The project harnesses cutting-edge bioprocesses to transform wholegrains- barley, faba bean, and chickpea- and upcycled food industry side-streams like apple, carrot, and tomato pomaces.
The result? Food ingredients rich in plant proteins, dietary fibre, essential nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins, which provide health benefits. Sustain-a-bite will use these ingredients into a wide variety of plant-based foods including smoothies, yoghurts, baked snacks, and meat alternatives.
By fully utilising sustainable feedstock and minimising energy input, Sustain-a-bite aims to lower production costs compared to commodity meat and dairy products, making wholesome plant-based foods affordable and accessible to all. While doing so, the project seeks to preserve the culinary heritage of each region, fostering their social acceptance for a lasting impact.
About Sustain-a-bite
Sustain-a-bite is funded through the Horizon Europe programme, specifically under Destination Farm2Fork within Pillar II, Cluster 6. This initiative seeks innovative solutions to establish sustainable food systems across the entire value chain, from production and processing to consumption. In line Sustain-a-bite’s ambition supports the intake of nutritious and affordable foods that foster public health and food security, while ensuring fair revenues to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU food sector.
“The Farm2Fork strategy encourages the transition towards fair, healthy, and sustainable food systems, from primary production to consumption.”
Sustain-a-bite will run for three and a half years and is coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The project brings together 19 partners from 13 countries across Europe, including universities, technological centres, large food companies, and experts in consumer behaviour, impact maximisation, and exploitation.
Innovarum in Sustain-a-bite
As the leader of project communication and dissemination, Innovarum plays a pivotal role in engaging the sicentific community, industry stakeholders, citizens, and policymakers, fostering impactful innnovation, social awareness, and policy regulation. A central part of this effort is the Stakeholder Platform, a collaborative, open network that connects key actors across the entire food value chain, including primary producers, ingredient and food producers, wholesalers, retailers, technological and research organisations, investors, food authorities, media, and consumers. This platform facilitates knowledge exchange and networking to maximise project outcomes and drive effective social and market adoption.