Food Connect Forum 2024: A Resounding Success in Improving Africa's Food Systems
The Food Connect Forum, held on November 26th & 27th, 2024, at the Sandton Sun Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, successfully brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders under the theme "Improving Africa's Food Systems through Compliance and Innovation". The premier event tackled the numerous pressing challenges facing the African food and beverage industry, including food security, sustainability, nutritional access, regulatory compliance, food safety, supply chain resilience, environmental impact, consumer trends, and technological integration.
Attendees of the Food Connect Forum gained cutting-edge insights into advancements in agricultural technologies, food safety protocols, and sustainable practices. Expert-led sessions and dynamic panel discussions provided valuable knowledge on critical areas such as food security, nutritional access, regulatory changes, and crucial supply chain resilience.
The forum delivered unparalleled networking opportunities, fostering significant partnerships and collaborations among key stakeholders from government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. Participants were also well-informed on the latest food policies and regulations, ensuring they left equipped to enhance compliance and competitiveness within their respective operations. A strong emphasis was placed on elevating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Furthermore, strategic supply chain management, advanced analytics, and warehouse management systems were thoroughly explored, offering attendees practical approaches to optimize their operations.
The Food Connect Forum 2024 proved to be an unmissable event, providing the essential knowledge and connections needed for industry professionals to thrive in Africa's rapidly evolving food landscape. The robust discussions and valuable insights shared have undeniably contributed to advancing a more secure and sustainable food system for the continent.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Food Connect Forum 2025, where we will continue to explore innovative solutions and foster crucial collaborations for the advancement of Africa's food systems.
Post event takeaways
• Transforming food security and sustainability: Government's role as a catalyst
• Affordable nutrition: Creating accessible, nutritious products for all
• Navigating South Africa's food policy landscape
• Excellence in food safety and quality control
• Decoding food and beverage labelling changes
• Exploring food tech innovations
• Elevating ESG Standards in the food and beverage sector
• Strategic innovation for supply chain resilience
• Packaging innovations: Shaping the future of food and beverage
Agenda Day 1
The forum will provide valuable insights and networking opportunities for these groups, contributing to the advancement of Africa’s food systems through compliance and innovation.
09:00 - 10:00
Affordable nutrition: Creating accessible, nutritious products for all
10:30 - 11:30
Session two
Game Meat: An additional protein to South Africa’s dinner plate
11:30 - 12:30
Session three
Market access opportunities focusing on agriculture and agro-processing for SMEs and small/emerging holder farmers - Integrating farmers and agro-processors into food systems to provide long term access and growth.
13:30 - 14:30
Food policy and regulation: Overview of current food policies in South Africa
15:00 - 16:00
Session five
Ensuring excellence in food safety and quality control
16:00 - 17:00
Analyzing proposed changes in draft regulations R3337: Implications for food and beverage labelling
Agenda Day 2
09:00 - 10:00
Elevating ESG standards in the food and beverage sector
10:30 - 11:30
Session eight
Greywater reuse in agriculture: Enhancing water security and food production in rural settings
11:30 - 12:30
South Africa's food and beverage production, supply chain challenges and export opportunities!
13:30 - 14:30
Session ten
Diving into FMCG packaging innovation, the FMCG supply chain and a Circular economy mindset.
15:00 - 16:00
Innovations shaping the future of food & beverage
Event highlights
Attendees
Delegate reviews
"The Food Connect Forum was a game-changer for us. The sessions on food security and sustainability were incredibly insightful, providing us with innovative strategies to implement in our operations. The networking opportunities were unparalleled, allowing us to connect with key industry players and explore potential partnerships. We left the event with a wealth of knowledge and actionable insights that are already making a difference in our approach to food systems."
"Attending the Food Connect Forum was one of the best decisions our team made this year. The comprehensive agenda covered everything from regulatory changes to the latest in food technology, making it essential for anyone in the food and beverage industry. The discussions on compliance and innovation were particularly beneficial, providing us with the tools to stay ahead in a competitive market. We highly recommend this forum to anyone looking to enhance their knowledge and network with industry leaders." combined with a handful of model sentence structures, to generate Lorem Ipsum which looks reasonable.
"The Food Connect Forum exceeded our expectations in every way. The caliber of speakers and the depth of content provided a rich learning experience. We gained valuable insights into the latest trends in food safety, labeling regulations, and sustainable practices. The event also offered unmatched networking opportunities, helping us forge important connections with other professionals and potential partners. This forum is a must-attend for anyone committed to improving Africa's food systems."
