FoodConnect

With the support of:

The project aims to support food companies in connecting data across their production environment. This enables users and decision-makers to access relevant information directly and use it in their day-to-day operations to make more informed choices.

Why this project?

Digitalisation is high on the agenda of many food companies. However, determining which investments are most likely to deliver real value remains a challenge. New software platforms, sensor technologies, AI solutions and data tools are emerging at a rapid pace, increasing the risk of investing in technologies that offer limited benefits to day-to-day operations.

A successful digitalisation strategy does not start with AI, but with a strong data foundation. Only when data from production, quality management, logistics and business processes can be collected, connected and exchanged efficiently can companies move towards advanced analytics, automation and artificial intelligence. The FoodConnect project supports food companies in building these foundations, enabling them to make informed decisions and invest in digitalisation initiatives that create tangible business value.

Research approach and expected results

With this COOCK+ project, Flanders’ FOOD, Sirris, imec and ILVO support food companies in building the foundations of a successful digitalisation strategy. This is achieved through:

Interviews with digital frontrunners and SMEs to identify best practices, needs, existing knowledge, experiences and barriers related to digitalisation.
Collecting knowledge on data architectures, technologies and platforms that support data connectivity and compiling this knowledge into a practical overview for food companies.
Developing a methodology that helps companies assess the expected impact of digitalisation solutions for specific business challenges and identify suitable technologies and architectures.
Validating the methodology at Food Pilot and through two industrial case studies focused on food loss analysis and process deviation monitoring.
Raising awareness and disseminating knowledge among a broad audience of food companies, including management, engineers and operational staff, regardless of their experience with digitalisation.

Target group

Food companies looking to improve data connectivity between systems and strengthen their knowledge of data architectures.

Project partners

Flanders’ FOOD manages and coordinates the project. The project is carried out in collaboration with:

Sirris (Christophe.michiels@sirris.be)
imec (Kris.VandeVoorde@imec.be)
ILVO (Karen.Verstraete@ilvo.vlaanderen.be)

Keen to join?

To ensure the results are as relevant as possible for the food sector, the project includes an advisory group with representatives from food companies and technology providers.

What does participation involve?

Participation in the advisory board meetings (twice a year throughout the duration of the project), where the project progress and key results are presented and discussed.
Active contribution through providing feedback on the developed methodology, e-learning modules, demonstrator and other project results, helping to ensure their relevance and applicability to the needs of the food industry.

Participation fee and terms and conditions

Participation in the advisory board is free of charge, provided that your organisation is a member of Flanders’ FOOD and/or Sirris for the entire duration of the project (2025-2028) and pays the applicable membership fees. Organisations joining at a later stage will be invoiced retroactively for the membership fees.