Jivka Deiters

Food Innovation Dynamics and Network Support

The food sector is facing major challenges in assuring food security and safety while respecting societys environmental and social concerns in its drive toward sustainability in a world with increasing population, increasing urbanization, increasing requirements on higher-value diets but with limitations and reductions in the availability of resources such as land, water, or energy. The sector will depend on innovative approaches that may change the present infrastructure, organization, production, distribution, or retail but also the sectors offering of consumer products. The diversity and creativity of small and medium-sized enterprises may play an important role in realizing inventions, especially if supported by appropriate network organizations that facilitate knowledge exchange and interaction with experts and research. However, moving from inventions to innovation depends on the relevance of drivers and needs and the availability of enablers that facilitate the uptake of inventions by the sector on a broad scale. The chapter will discuss these issues in the light of emerging technologies and network experiences and provide examples of ongoing inventions that have the potential for reaching innovation status.