FRESH FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN THE POST COVID-19 WORLD
Florence, Italy, 25 June 2021

During the past year we have witnessed disruptions of food supply chains around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has upset the food system like never before. From logistical issues, a shortage of workforce, to radical changes in demand, each country shared challenging moments.

While the world’s population is rapidly increasing, and land degradation is exacerbated by climate change, it is clear that ensuring food security will be among one of the key challenges of the 21st century.

In 2050, the world’s population is projected to increase to 9.8 billion from 7.6 billion with 75% of the population expected to live in cities in the future. Simultaneously, 70% of all agricultural land globally will experience degradation. These challenges will exist alongside rising food prices and a growing demand for increased supply and diversification of food.

Today, there is a need to develop both new and innovative approaches to production and supply in order to cater to a growing population while also upholding sustainability and environmental responsibility.

This also necessitates the use of smarter logistics, improvements in urban planning, and major investments in food infrastructures to build an ecosystem that can continuously supply food that is safe, affordable, healthy, and sustainable. It is important to tackle these issues through a collective and meaningful discussion across various sectors and stakeholders.

The World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) is organizing this conference to exchange, debate and propose innovative and effective ways to recover from the adverse effects of the COVID crisis. During this one-day conference, high ranked experts will exchange their experiences during the pandemic, debate on lessons learned and propose innovative solutions to address the sector’s most pressing challenges.

• – What are the lessons learned from the current pandemic?
• – What steps can we collectively take to restore and ensure resilience and sustainability of food systems?
• – What innovations and solutions must be developed to achieve providing the world with safe food in the coming decades?
• – What will the future of food look like and how can we ensure that it is moving in the right direction?
• – Who are the key players shaping this future?

The conference will coincide with the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021, which is an opportunity for food actors to join forces and reflect on the current challenges they are facing and determine the best ways to overcome it.

The WUWM Conference is another key avenue to achieve this as it aims to equip actors with the knowledge and skills needed to combat future crises.

Tickets for WUWM’s Conference in Florence, Italy on the 25^th of June are available now.

Click here to fill in the registration form!