The best event in the Brussels Bubble is back! FoodDrinkEurope’s Ideas Fest & Summer Party is back on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, from 14:30-22:00 at the Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. This year, we’ve pulled out all the stops to bring you the very best ideas and innovations behind our food future, including dynamic discussions, a ‘Taste the Future’ innovation space, and unique workshop experiences from thought-leaders in the food and drink world. With a Summer Party in the evening with succulent festival food and drinks, and a superb array of summer cocktails to taste.
14:30 – 15:00 | Arrival and networking
Grab a coffee, connect with peers, and ease into an afternoon of big ideas and brilliant people.
Taste the Future
@ Innovation space
Through the course of the event come and meet the food and drink makers shaping our food future with new innovations to unlock the circular economy, restore our waterways, provide accessible treats, and more – with tastings throughout the day.
- ADM
- Coca-Cola
- MARS
- Mondelez
- FEDIMA
- GOOD4U
15:00 – 15:45 | FoodDrinkEurope’s plenary session: Big ideas to inspire a better food future
@ The Plenary Tent
In our opening plenary hear from Kurt Vandenberghe (Director-General, DG CLIMA, European Commission) on the importance of innovation for our food future and how to leverage partnerships across the food chain.
Then hear from start-ups and SMEs on a mission to drive positive change with the latest food innovations.
16:00 – 17:45 | Experience Sessions
Dive into hands-on, interactive sessions hosted by food and drink leaders. Expect bold formats: workshops, tastings, demos, and more. Explore themes around food and drink innovation, partnerships, and AI – or head to the Taste the Future Innovation Space for a flavourful journey of discovery.
16:00-16:45
@ The Plenary Tent
Global Reliance to Strategic Resilience: The Future of Europe’s Food Systems
Presented by Nomad Foods
A panel discussion with leading voices from the food and drink industry, diplomats, and logistics experts to explore how we can bolster our global food chain in times of crisis and secure supplies of essential foods for the future. With guest speakers:
- Stuart Price, Chief Procurement Officer, Nomad Foods
- Shane Brennan, Senior Vice President Global Policy, Projects and Partnerships, Global Cold Chain Alliance
- Kristof Wallays, Chief Global Expansion Innovation & Sustainability, Agristo
- Chris Hegadorn, Founder of Food Alert Workshops, Adjunct Professor, SciencesPo Paris, US Foreign Service (Ret.)
@ Workshop Tent 1
From Innovation to Impact: Bridging Between Paper Packaging Design Innovation and European Recycling Systems
Presented by Mars
This engaging roundtable panel discussion will explore how innovation in paper-based packaging design and digital solutions can enable more effective recyclability within Europe’s waste systems, and what is needed to scale these advances across Europe. With guest speakers:
- Martin Policar, Policy Officer, B1 – Green Transitions, DG RTD, European Commission
- Nina Peacock, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations, Kellanova
- Filipe Vieira de Castro, Head of Recycling Intelligence, Circpack by Veolio
@ Workshop Tent 2
The Donation Equation: Policy, Technology and the Business Case for Food Recovery
Presented by the European Food Banks Federation
EU food waste regulation is tightening and compliance obligations for food and drink businesses are growing. Join the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA), Europe’s leading food banking network organisation, for a solutions-focused session on how food banking partnerships and technology can help your business navigate the regulatory landscape and deliver measurable impact. Special guests, food tech pioneers, FoodCloud sharing how they are already making it work in practice.
17:00-17:45
@ the Plenary Tent
Innovation is the easy part: what it really takes to scale food innovation in a world under pressure
Presented by Cargill
Hear how Cargill collaborates with start-ups, researchers, and industry partners to turn emerging food innovations into scalable commercial solutions to real-world challenges. Through the latest innovation from NextCoa™ and fermentation-enabled sweetening technologies, the session will explore how cross-sector partnerships are accelerating nutrition, resilience and sustainability across the global food system.
- Keynote: Geert Maesmans, VP of R&D Europe, Cargill
- Moderator: René Berendse, Director of Advocacy & Marketing at EIT Food
- Panelist: Oscar Goddijin, CEO, Avansya
- Panelist: Rob Lowery, Senior Vice President R&D, PepsiCo
@ Workshop Tent 1
Food, Feed and Fuel: Striking the Right Balance for a Sustainable Bioeconomy
Presented by Mars
The race for biomass is on. As Europe advances its bioeconomy strategy, the demand for resources for food, petfood, feed, and fuel creates opportunities but also new challenges and competitive pressures. This session will gather experts to discuss innovation in the space of bioeconomy and will discuss how to manage competing demands to build a truly sustainable and resilient bioeconomy.
- Michael Losch, Co-ordinator for the Bioeconomy, DG AGRI, European Commission
- Alessandro Bussi, Global Technology Staff Officer Mars Petcare – Head of Sustainability, Mars
- Lorena Savani, Director of Biotech and Protein, EIT Food
- Steven Le Moing,Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme Management, Airbus
@ Workshop Tent 2
When Transparency Meets Taste
Presented by Paulig
Discover how environmental impact can be made clear, credible, and comparable, the moment consumers make their food choices. With guest speakers:
- Kaisa Lipponen, SVP Sustainability, HSE & Communications, Paulig
- João Brites, Director Growth & Innovation, HowGood
- Koen Boone, Coordinator Sustainable Value Chains, Wageningen University and Research
- Veerle Poppe, Sustainability Strategist, Colruyt Group
18:00-22:00 | Summer Reception
As the sun sets, the party begins. Food trucks, refreshments, and live music.
With support from AB InBev, DIAGEO, Mars, Nomad Foods, Nestlé, Paulig, PepsiCo, and Pernod Ricard.