Building the future of nutrition together, A special visit

At the heart of this was a shared ambition: to expand our knowledge of nutrients, the microbiome and the role they play in the health of humans, plants and soil. Since 2017, Dan Kittredge has been working with the Bionutrient Food Association to bring together scientific research, practical experience and data from around the world. As an independent NGO, the organisation works to develop measurement methods and gather knowledge that provides insight into the actual nutritional value of food and the impact of regenerative agriculture on crop quality.

During the meeting, Rob Baan and Dan Kittredge shared their vision for the future of our food system. Whilst Rob Baan highlighted the link between flavour, health, biodiversity and the horticultural sector’s responsibility, Dan Kittredge drew on numerous studies to explore the enormous variation in nutrients in greater depth. The soil microbiome remains the essential foundation and has the strongest correlation with nutrient density in nutritious crops.

Following a joint lunch and a guided tour of Koppert Cress, the discussion continued on the opportunities for international collaboration. There is a shared conviction that further deepening research into nutrients, microbial ecosystems and measurable food quality is essential to take the next step towards a healthier and future-proof food system.

The visit therefore marks not only a valuable exchange of knowledge, but also a shared ambition to bring science, data and practice closer together and to work jointly towards food that demonstrably contributes more to the health of people and the planet.