The SOULFOOD project, or “Digital Solutions for a More Sustainable, Inclusive, and Connected Agrifood Value Chain”, aims to reduce food waste, enhance agrifood sustainability, and improve the distribution of products to vulnerable groups through innovative technologies. The developed digital solution will help manage and repurpose food losses through community initiatives. Lithuanian agrifood producers interested in testing it can apply from June 11 to 26, 23:59.
Transitioning to more sustainable production and consumption models in the food sector is a crucial social challenge that must be addressed to ensure Europe meets its goal of halving food waste by 2030. In 2020, more than one in five people at risk of poverty (21.7%), and 8.6% of EU citizens could not afford a meal with meat, fish, or a vegetarian equivalent every second day. At the same time, the European agrifood sector still faces a significant issue of food waste.
Technology is beneficial to every farmer
Farmers testing the tool will have the opportunity to reduce not only their food waste but also associated CO2 emissions and water usage as well as try out more sustainable and efficient production practices. Another key benefit is digitizing different activities (from inventory to distribution) on one platform. New collaboration opportunities between local producers and community organizations will open up prospects for business growth and social impact.
Besides, the platform will provide valuable insights into sustainable practices and agrifood producers will participate in training – educational activities are crucial for raising awareness about food losses. The program is intuitive and designed for ease of use, allowing for the preparation of reports and analyses, enabling data-driven decision-making to improve resources management and operations.
On the platform, producers can offer support, specifying details such as product name, weight, volume, or perishability, while recipients and carriers can accept it. Notifications will be sent by email for each status change in food donation: confirmation, transportation, or delivery. This combination of functions will not only optimize local producers’ operations but also promote their social responsibility and contribution to communities.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for this call, you should be an enterprise or self-employed worker with an agrifood economic activity with up to 100 employees and have all necessary administrative permits. Applicants should be agrifood producers in one of the categories covering non-perennial and perennial crop growing (NACE codes A1.1 and A1.2 respectively).
The place of registration must be Lithuania. Finally, all applicants will need to submit documents proving that individuals are properly registered with the state treasury and social security system, and legal entities are properly established and registered in the relevant public register.
Selected participants commit to using the digital tool throughout the testing period, adhering to project and contract provisions. Also, designate a person to lead the communication between the applicant and the SOULFOOD consortium. They will also be required to provide the information requested by the partners of the initiative to ensure compliance with EC request or direction related to the proper management of the tested solution.
Six farmers in Lithuania will be invited to test the innovation. Half of them will test the technology in the summer and autumn seasons, the other three in the spring. Each will receive a payment of €1,500 to fulfill the requirements, with split pays in November 2024 and upon project end. The official language of the applications is Lithuanian. If you are interested and would like to participate, please contact edita@agrifood.lt and note that the call closes on 26 June. Below you will find the documents you will need to submit: