CEFoodCycle  
Circular Economy: Mapping Food Streams and Identifying Potentials to Close the Food Cycle
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Overview

To tackle food waste, for instance in the hospitality sector, there is a great potential for resource related to food overproduction or packaging. The overall objective is the implementation of Circular Economy Hubs in the food sector in five alpine pilot regions to identify potentials for food waste and CO2 reduction. The involved actors benefit from know-how transfer, networking as well as the use of a digital, intelligent decision support system based on Life-Cycle-Assessment indicators. The activities are aimed at directly and indirectly involved stakeholders in food cycles such as manufacturing companies, trading companies, the hotel industry, but also energy providers. The project will enable different stakeholders to take into account resource and CO2 savings and strengthen sustainable and circular economic competitiveness in the Alps.

CEFoodCycle | Project presentation

Factsheet

  • 2021 – 2027
  • Carbon neutral and resource sensitive Alpine region
  • SO 2.2 - Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy
    • AG6 Natural resources
  • 11/2022
  • 10/2025
  • 2.386.438 EUR
  • 1.789.828 EUR

Partners

University of Applied Science Salzburg (Lead partner)
  • Lead partner
  • Austria
  • Salzburg (AT32)
  • Puch bei Hallein
Austrian Institute of Ecology
  • Austria
  • Wien (AT13)
  • Vienna
E-institute, institute for comprehensive development solutions
  • Slovenia
  • Vzhodna Slovenija (SI03)
  • Ptuj
Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • France
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (FRL0)
  • Nice
BSC, Business support organisation, ltd., Kranj
  • Slovenia
  • Zahodna Slovenija (SI04)
  • Kranj
Agency for Sustainable Mediterranean Cities and Territories
  • France
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (FRL0)
  • Marseille Cedex 02
LAMORO Development Agency
  • Italy
  • Piemonte (ITC1)
  • ASTI
IDM Südtirol Alto Adige
  • Italy
  • Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen (ITH1)
  • Bolzano
University of Applied Sciences Munich
  • Germany
  • Oberbayern (DE21)
  • München
Cluster of Environmental Technologies Bavaria
  • Germany
  • Schwaben (DE27)
  • Augsburg
  • 47.72412113.086338
  • 48.200280816.3453075
  • 46.41779384999999515.874825928236131
  • 43.704157.275177637275622
  • 46.246576514.3644724
  • 43.30567315.444226820336164
  • 44.90223978.2071723
  • 46.497845311.3534085
  • 48.1535903511.553143192240475
  • 48.4005549510.933246443146322

Outcomes


  • Alpine-wide methodology of LCA indicators in defined food streams

    Consolidation of already existing LCAs to track ecological and C02 implications of food production, distribution and waste, leading to the development of a comprehensive and replicable LCA methodology to assess food streams in defined food product categories. Regional specifics are considered, stakeholders inside and outside the respective food streams identified in order to close food cycles. Provides the baseline for AS common methodology implementation for piloting closed food cycles.

  • Establishment of Circular Food Hubs

    This output is devoted to exploiting the project results/ achievements. Exploitation plan is produced in the first year and is constantly updated during the course of the project to ensure that the results of the project and the relevant associated initiatives are successfully conveyed to the appropriate stakeholders, to the public and international community. A main focus is also laid on the appropriateness of information for local users (language, accessibility, pre-information).

  • User-friendly Intelligent Digital LCA Service System (IDLCASS)

    IDLCASS is an AI-powered platform that evaluates and measures food resource impact on CO2 emission throughout food streams based on existing and newly collected data. Data analytics in food waste and re-use potential help moving towards closed food cycles and reap best decisions in terms of quality and reliability. IDLCASS is based on a secure software to protect IP and user data. Integration of tool chains supports CE-based decisionmaking by integrating stakeholders' own cost structures.

  • Pilots of smart, closed food cycles (CEFoodCycles)

    Participatory tools such as workshops or innovation labs that allow relevant stakeholders along the defined food stream (within selected product categories) to get to know each other; exchange relevant CE experiences and identify pressure points needed to develop new circular business solutions. Also, in-depth analysis of their business models will allow to identify (digital) information points needed to develop LCA standards and digital operating system.

  • Policy Recommendations

    Promotion of the use of regional products and waste reduction through capitalization, awareness raising and networking for CE-based solutions and the role of digitization tested in CEFoodCycle pilots. Suggestion of policies for political framing approaches at regional and national levels, based on the results of project pilots, to contribute to a just transition towards circular economy for all stakeholders along the cross-regional food chain.

  • IDLCASS Network Established

    Participatory processes in each phase of the project favors sustainability of results and outputs beyond the end of the CEFoodCycle project. Stakeholders along the food value stream across countries / local communities are engaged in addressing circular economy and food waste management through a bottom-up approach. By disseminating CEFoodCycle experiences and sharing know-how / results with other regions, municipalities and communities help mutual learning among users and policy makers.

Pilots


  • Circular Food Hub Alto Adige: PILOT UNTERLAHNERHOF

    The goal is to create a sustainable and efficient closed-loop food cycle by utilizing innovative methods to reduce waste and promote environmental health. One key aspect of this system involves producing chicken feed using the larvae of the black soldier fly. These insects are highly efficient at converting organic waste, such as food by-products, into valuable protein-rich feed. This process not only helps in recycling food waste that would otherwise be discarded, but it also contributes to lowering the overall environmental footprint of animal feed production. By integrating the black soldier fly into the food cycle, we reduce reliance on traditional feed sources, conserve resources, and promote a more sustainable agricultural system. This approach aligns with the broader goals of minimizing waste and advancing circular economy practices in food production.

  • Circular Food Hub Alto Adige: PILOT EDEL-ANSITZ ZIMMERLEHEN

    This pilot aims to establish a closed food cycle by producing oyster mushrooms using recycled coffee grounds. By utilizing these grounds, the initiative significantly reduces food by-products and promotes a sustainable approach to agriculture. The mushrooms are cultivated in an eco-friendly manner, contributing to both environmental protection and resource efficiency. Key stakeholders involved in the piloting process include hotel businesses, the gastronomy sector, caterers, and an on-site farm tavern, which create a strong demand for the sustainably produced mushrooms. On the supply side, the collaboration with Caroma, a coffee producer, and the Research Center Laimburg ensures the availability of high-quality coffee grounds and the necessary expertise to optimize the mushroom production process. Together, these partnerships support the creation of a sustainable, circular economy in the food industry.

Videos

Video 1 of 4
Video 2 of 4
Video 3 of 4
Video 4 of 4

Downloads

  • The paper titled: From Farm to Fork: Addressing Food Waste in Households, authored by Beatriz Hoffmann-Kuhnt, was published with the proceedings of the 2024 European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship - therefore engaging the scientific community. The paper complements the CEFoodCycle project’s goal of creating a circular food system by underscoring the importance of food waste reduction as a critical component in minimising resource loss across the food supply chain, which is key to closing the loop. Additionally, it highlights the crucial role of end consumer and how they contribute to the overall efficiency of the CEFoodCycle project’s overarching goals of reducing food waste. 
    Download
  • The survey conducted among establishments in the coffee-hotel-restaurant (CHR) sector between February 26 and March 15, 2024, al-lowed to: • Better estimate the biowaste produc-tion, particularly through a better un-derstanding of the activity. • Identify notable actions in the manage-ment and recovery of biowaste. • Identify the barriers and constraints to implementing the actions of biowaste recovery.
    Download
  • To assess the different practices and contexts within agricultural systems, relevant for environmental footprinting, a comparison of national and regional data was conducted as part of the project CEFoodCycle. While previous studies have highlighted the global significance of food waste and the multiple benefits of transitioning to a Circular Economy, there is a lack of detailed analysis focusing on how regional variations in the food value chain impact LCA metrics within the Alpine region. Part 2 focuses on Processing and Retail.
    Download
  • To assess the different practices and contexts within agricultural systems, relevant for environmental footprinting, a comparison of national and regional data was conducted as part of the project CEFoodCycle. While previous studies have highlighted the global significance of food waste and the multiple benefits of transitioning to a Circular Economy, there is a lack of detailed analysis focusing on how regional variations in the food value chain impact LCA metrics within the Alpine region.

    Part 1 focuses on Agriculture.
    Download
  • This brochure is written with the intent to convey key insights into strategies to minimise food waste and to understand the key stake-holders in the food value stream in the partici-pating countries. Based on a desk research phase between January and November 2023, some key figures are presented regarding the food market structure in the Alpine Region. Furthermore, best practices of companies that use food waste as a resource are presented and circular food hubs shortly introduced.
    Download
  • This review provides a concise introduction and overview on Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Studies on food waste and food products. The respective methodologies are explored and compared.
    Download
  • These educational best practice cards can be used in classes, at events, training courses etc. to break down the complex topic of circular economy to a tangible level using real company examples.
    Download
  • All information on the CEFoodCycle Award (application possible until the end of March 2024) in English.
    Download
  • All information on the CEFoodCycle Award (application possible until the end of March 2024) in German.
    Download
  • Submission form (English version) for the CEFoodCycle Award (application possible until the end of March 2024).
    Download
  • Submission form (German version) for the CEFoodCycle Award (application possible until the end of March 2024).
    Download
  • This presentation looks at artificial intelligence and circular innovation and shows the status quo of B2B platforms in agri food settings and their regions of operation. as of: December 2023
    Download

Project calendar

06 Nov 2024
CEFoodCycle @CIRCULAZE Summit in Munich
Project: CEFoodCycle
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21 Nov 2024
Fireplace Talk Series @FH Salzburg
Project: CEFoodCycle
Talk: European Week of Waste Reduction. | KreislaufWIRtschaft
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    09 Oct 2024
    CEFoodCycle at the Round Table Event: Alternative Proteins4Food
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    Several projects and best practice companies within the Austrian food sector will be presented.
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    30 Jul 2024
    Mockup test for Food Hub Austria-Bavaria
    Project: CEFoodCycle
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    26 Jul 2024
    Mockup test for Food Hub Südtirol - Alto Adige
    Project: CEFoodCycle
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    22 Jul 2024
    Mockup test for Food Hub Alpes-Maritimes
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    On July 22nd, the Food Hub Alpes-Maritimes holds a webinar to present the IDLCASS mockup.
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    19 Jul 2024
    Mockup test for Food Hub Piemonte
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    On July 19th, LAMORO Development Agency holds a webinar to present to companies
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    18 Jun 2024
    Sustainability Festival at HM University
    Project: CEFoodCycle
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    24 May 2024
    CEFoodCycle goes Lange Nacht der Forschung
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    "Lange Nacht der Forschung" is a national event where our project will be represented at FH Salzburg
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    21 May 2024
    CEFoodCycle Award Ceremony
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    The ceremony for the CEFoodCycle Award will take place at the next partner meeting in Brixen (Italy)
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    04 Apr 2024
    Piedmont: Threats, challenges, opportunities and strengths of building a closed, circular food hub
    Project: CEFoodCycle
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    14 Mar 2024
    Kick-Off CEFoodCycle & Cooking class
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    Networking event: one-day workshop & cookery course
    event-gross
    11 Mar 2024
    Circular Food Hub: connecting the dots
    Project: CEFoodCycle
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    09 - 10 Feb 2024
    Hackathon: THE POOL
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    join like-minded and interdisciplinary talents at hackathon and build an AI-based MVP to pitch
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    05 Feb 2024
    Agecotel
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    Agecotel is the biennial trade show for professionals in the catering and food service industries.
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    19 Jan 2024
    Webinar, Circular economy and agri-food supply chain in Piedmont
    Project: CEFoodCycle
    Mentor companies explain how they were able to use food waste as a raw material
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      Project news

      Inaugural Innovation LAB

      04.11.2024
      LAMORO Development Agency hosted its inaugural Innovation LAB on 31.10.2024.

      Showcasing Best Practices in Food Sustainability: Stiegl and easyVEGAN

      04.11.2024
      Beatriz Hoffmann-Kuhnt visited Stiegl brewery with a film crew to capture footage,

      New paper published on the complementing consumer side

      28.10.2024
      From Farm to Fork: Addressing Food Waste in Households, authored by Beatriz Hoffmann-Kuhnt

      Overview: All Publications so far

      07.10.2024
      Within the Interreg Alpine Space CEFoodCycle project, several publications have been realised.

      IDAFLW: a more sustainable future for all

      29.09.2024
      IDAFLW encourages us to recognize the importance of our efforts for a more sustainable future

      Your waste is my resource - AlpWeek 2024. Alps in our Hands

      26.09.2024

      Newsletter Launch for Circular Food Hub Salzburg-Bavaria

      22.08.2024
      The Circular Food Hub Salzburg-Bavaria is excited to announce the launch of its newsletter

      Productive mockup-testing for catering | Alpes-Maritimes

      01.08.2024
      On July 22, the Food Hub Alpes-Maritimes invited café, hotel and restaurant owners for a mockup test

      Successful mockup testing of foodcycle.ai | Salzburg-Bavaria

      31.07.2024
      The Circular Food Hub Salzburg-Bavaria tested the foodcycle.ai mockup in the form of a webinar.

      Valuable feedback gathered in mockup test | Piemonte

      25.07.2024
      On July 19th, LAMORO Development Agency held a webinar to present to companies

      Best Practice Cards: New Education Material available

      16.07.2024
      The cards are used e.g. at events to break down the complex topic to real-life company examples.

      Celebrating Sustainability: CEFoodCycle project presented at HM University's Sustainability Festival

      24.06.2024
      A sustainability festival at HM University was recently held, showcasing the CEFoodCycle project.

      CEFoodCycle goes Lange Nacht der Forschung

      12.06.2024
      Austrian circular economy pioneers were presented at this year's Lange Nacht der Forschung.

      The Garum Project: Fermenting Flavour

      28.05.2024
      The Garum Project aims to disrupt the seasoning market.

      SOLOS Project: Revolutionizing Aquaponics

      28.05.2024
      SOLOS aims to revolutionize how we grow crops and raise fish

      Circular economy against food waste: ‘CEFoodCycle’ award presented

      22.05.2024
      The ‘CEFoodCycle Award’ was presented last week to companies pursuing ideas in the food...

      Kickoff Circular Food Hub South Tyrol

      15.04.2024
      The Circular Food Hub emerging in South Tyrol will be one of five pilot centers in the Alpine region

      Driving Change: LAMORO presenting the CEFoodCycle project at the EXPO in Alba

      09.04.2024

      Kickoff in Augsburg (Food Hub Salzburg-Bavaria)

      21.03.2024
      The kick-off event for the Salzburg-Bavaria Food Hub took place in Augsburg on March 14th 2024.

      Successful Third Partner Meeting in Nice

      05.02.2024
      The ongoing international research project CEFoodCycle is dedicated to fostering sustainable food practices. The recent third partner meeting (29.-30.01.2024) held in the picturesque city of Nice, France, showed first steps towards our mission of establishing closed food cycles.

      Submit now: CEFoodCycle Award

      30.01.2024
      The Interreg Alpine Space project CEFoodCycle honours companies, initiatives or individuals who are actively committed to reducing food waste and are planning or have already implemented innovative concepts for the circular economy. The deadline for submissions is the end of March.

      Circular Food Hubs up and running

      30.01.2024
      We are delighted that our five Circular Food Hubs are up and running. The Circular Food Hubs are rol

      CEFoodCycle‘s first Deliverable is finalized: Key insights into life cycle analysis methodology for food products and waste

      26.01.2024
      The published report offers a first understanding of the measurements of environmental impacts of food production, consumption and waste management.

      Success for the webinar on circular economy and agri-food supply chain in Piedmont

      23.01.2024
      Success for the webinar on 19.01.2024 on circular economy and agri-food supply chain organized by LAMORO Development agency in collaboration with the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo in the framework of the CEFoodCycle project, financed by the first call of the Alpine Space programme.

      AViTeM takes part in the 5th Meeting of the Regional Platform for Circular Economy (Région Sud, France)!

      16.01.2024
      On September 22, 2023, AViTeM took part in the 5th Annual Meeting of the PRECI Network alongside 170 participants at the Aix-en-Provence Arbois Europole.

      Slovenia's Bioeconomy Concept & CEFoodCycle project: A Symbiotic Approach Towards Circularity

      12.01.2024
      The recently published strategic concept paper for Bioeconomy in Slovenia serves as a vital piece in the puzzle of sustainable and circular development. Interestingly, these principles align harmoniously with the objectives of the CEFoodCycle project.

      Successful Workshop on Responsible Handling of Food Resources in Gorenjska: Exploring Paths to a Sustainable and Circular Future

      09.01.2024
      In December, the Slovenian partners of the CEFOOD CYCLE project had the opportunity to host the first workshop on food utilization in Gorenjska at Hotel Astoria in Bled. The event was highly successful, bringing together experts and participants to discuss crucial aspects and challenges related to

      CEFoodCycle at the "Circular Economy in Food Production" event

      02.01.2024
      The CEFoodCycle initiative recently took part in a major event on the circular economy in food production at the Biotech Campus Tulln, Austria.

      CEFoodCycle at the Progress Dialogue in Vienna

      28.12.2023
      In autumn 2023, the "Progress Dialogue" (Fortschrittsdialog) took place in Vienna at the invitation of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation & Technology.

      CEFoodCycle at the KISusCheck final event

      28.12.2023
      On 30 November, the final event of the KISusCheck project took place as a hybrid event at the IBM Watson Center Munich. Umweltcluster Bayern was there live as part of CEFoodCycle.

      CEFoodCycle at Bioeconomy Summit Austria 2023

      20.12.2023
      Researchers from FH Salzburg (Reinhard Portenkirchner and Lena Tarmann) had the unique opportunity to participate as exhibitors in this year’s Bioeconomy Summit Austria 2023 and showcase our project CEFoodCycle.

      Regional networking at GastroRegioTag 2023

      30.11.2023
      Regional, networked, successful: More than 80 stakeholders came together at the third GastroRegioTag on November 8 at the Natur- und Wohlfühlhotel Brunner Hof in Arnschwang. Anja Beckord and Stephanie Lizak from Umweltcluster Bayern presented the "CEFoodCycle" project at the speed dating session

      CEFoodCycle project launches the pilot activity in Piemonte Region

      10.11.2023
      LAMORO Development Agency, partner of the CEFoodCycle project, identified main actions to be impleme

      Food Stakeholder Meeting on 'Food By-Products'

      23.10.2023
      South Tyrol Organizations Advocate for Circular Economy in the Food Sector

      Insights from Austria - Food Waste Prevention & Food Banks

      19.10.2023
      The Austrian Institute of Ecology took part in the discussions, focusing on food waste prevention and collaborations among food value-chain actors during 'Die Tafel Österreich's 1st Zukunftsdialog'.

      Partner Meeting in Bled, Slovenia

      17.08.2023
      Exchange of the international partners

      Networking event at Salzburg University of Applied Science

      09.08.2023
      Circular Food Hub Bavaria / Austria meets Entrepreneurs

      Connecting to local stakeholders to boost change

      18.05.2023
      University of Applied Sciences Munich and Cluster of Environmental Technologies Bavaria meet Circular Munich

      Exhibition Circular Food Hub in Salzburg @ Salzburger Wirtschaftsforum 2023

      18.05.2023
      Circular Food Hub Bavaria / Austria meets decision-makers from the business community

      Virtual workshop for Developing a Common LCA Methodology as regards to food products

      07.03.2023
      Developing a common LCA methodology for food products

      Kick-off meeting

      22.02.2023
      On 7th and 8th February 2023, a two-day kick-off for the project CEFoodCycle took place in Salzburg