SMART FOOD FACTORY: Enhancing digital and green growth in food industry - Collaborating for a sustainable food system
Join us on 1 October 2025 at Thon Hotel, Brussel city centre, for an inspiring event hosted by the European HIGHFIVE project. Connect, collaborate and shape the future of a digital and green food industry. Gain valuable insights from technology providers, food industry, clusters and policymakers.
Program
09:00
Welcome reception & registration
09:30
Welcome
09:45
Keynote: digitally driven, globally connected: transforming food processing for a sustainable future
10:15
Smart Solutions 4 Agri-food
Simon Maas, Program Manager Industry and (Inter)national Relations, AgriFood Capital
Discover how smart solutions and digital innovation are transforming the agrifood sector. Simon Maas shares insights from leading European collaborations, showcasing new pathways to greater sustainability and resilience in food production.
10:30
HIGHFIVE project introduction
Veerle De Graef, Internationalisation Manager, Flanders’ FOOD
Get an inside look at the HIGHFIVE project with Veerle De Graef. Discover how this collaborative initiative is accelerating digital and green innovation across Europe’s food sector.
10:50
Coffee break
11:10
SME and Cluster testimonials
HIGHFIVE in Action: From Open Call to Meaningful Results (by CTRIA)
Supporting Regional Innovation: Lessons from the HighFive Frontline (by Clusaga)
SME testimonial: Bakkerij Mariën
SME testimonial: Yazzoom
11:40
Panel discussion
Panelists: Kristina Šermukšnytė-Alešiūnienė (CEO, AgriFood Lithuania DIH; Vice-President, European Clusters Alliance; Lithuanian Cluster Network), Inge Arents (Managing Director, Flanders’ FOOD), Tim Van Meer (Technical Director, Pomuni), Aistė Miliūtė (CEO , Birstono Mineral Waters)
Join leading experts from across Europe as they discuss how collaborative projects and regional clusters are powering the digital and green transition in the food sector. Hear practical insights and inspiring examples from innovation leaders committed to building more resilient and sustainable food systems.
12:20
Lunch and networking
13:50
Shaping the future of twin transition support: Interactive workshops
Our interactive workshops will dive into four key areas shaping the twin transition:
1) Digitalisation & Technology
2) Funding & Scaling
3) Intersectoral Collaboration
4) Ecosystem Strengthening & Clusters
Together, we will validate, challenge, and prioritise recommendations to ensure they are relevant, actionable, and complete. Through guided discussion, participants will identify the most important priorities and conclude with three key messages to be shared in plenary.
15:20
Afternoon coffee break
15:55
Workshop conclusions and discussion
16:40
What's next and closing
17:00
