LIFE Fresh Box and Zero Residues celebrate their Final Conference in Zaragoza

FRESH BOX and ZERO RESIDUES, two Aragonese LIFE projects celebrated their Final Conference together during April 6^th in the Paraninfo Buidling of the Universidad de Zaragoza.

The Conference promoted the debate on “Agrofood and Sustainability: The Necessary Alliance”. Approximately 100 people attended the event, including partners from both projects, university students, food technology experts and representatives of the press.

Many special guests were invited to debate and share their views on how to strengthen sustainability in the food production sector.

The event’s inauguration was led by Dr. Rosa Oria, Professor of the Food Technology Department, Dr. Luis Miguel García, vicedean of the Scientific Policy, Dr. Fernando Beltrán, General Secretary and Technician of the Innovation and Research Department, and Dr. José Carlos Arnal, Directing Manager of the Fundación Parque Científico Aula Dei (PCTAD).

The event was divided into four main chapters:

During the first part, the results of both projects were presented, as well as the main conclusions and guidelines for future practices. Mr. Javier Arizmendi and Dr. Maria Eugenia Venturini presented the results on behalf of the LIFE ZERO RESIDUES project, while Dr. Carolina Peñalva and Dr. Esther Arias presented those of the LIFE FRESH BOX project.

During the second chapter, two invited guests gave their own presentations: Dr. José María García on “Agricultural production facing the challenge of sustainability in the context of global change”, and Mr. Ed Westerweele on “New trends in an increasing competitive food sector: how to sustainably improve health and quality”.

During the third part, a debate panel with other LIFE project representatives was held, concerning their shared theme of environmental sustainability. During the debate, many of those involved mentioned the recent technological advances in the food production sector as well as the necessary innovation and development towards the future. The debate panel was composed of the following experts:

1.     Jesús Val, Estación Experimental Aula Dei EEAD-CSIC- (MULTIBIOSOL, LIFE14 ENV/ES/000486)

2.     Jesús Lafuente, Finca Valleluz- ( ZERO RESIDUES, LIFE 12 ENV/ES/902)

3.     Berta Gonzalvo, Aitiip Centro Tecnológico- (FRESH BOX, LIFE13/ENV/ES/1362)

4.     Olga Conde, Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza- (Huertas KM 0, LIFE12 ENV/ES/000919)

5.     Jesús Abadías, Federación Aragonesa de Cooperativas Agroalimentarias (FACA)- (MULTIBIOSOL, LIFE14 ENV/ES/000486)

6.     Arturo Daudén, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA)- (VALPORC, LIFE13 ENV/ES/001115 & SMART FERTIRRIGATION, LIFE14 ENV/ES/640). A POSTER of the SMART FERTIRRIGATION project was presented during the coffee break.

Visit the Spanish downloads section to view the individual presentations of the event.

During the final stage, participants were invited to visit the Ricla area to see the stone fruit production plots of Finca Valleluz, partners of the ZERO RESIDUES project. Afterwards the group visited AITIIP’s facilities to see how the Fresh Box is developed.

Material handed out to attendees during the day: Folder with the logos of all partners involved, with the agenda of the day, invitation leaflet and the Layman’s Report for each project. You can view the Layman’s Report for Zero Residues and Fresh Box here.

Lastly, partners would like to thank the attendees for their attention and the hosts for organizing the event.