‘The food system is a tangled web’

At Utrecht University, interdisciplinary research into sustainability converges under the theme Pathways to Sustainability. One of its flagship initiatives is Future Food Utrecht, where scientists and a wide range of external partners collaborate to transition toward a sustainable food chain. But what makes this transdisciplinary approach so impactful? “Only through team science across disciplines can we truly make a difference.”

“The food system is a tangled web,” explains Rebecca Nordquist, associate professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. “To create real impact with research, you need diverse disciplines working together.” Nordquist emphasizes that while her expertise focuses on animal welfare, effective solutions require navigating other fields. “We can propose ideas to improve the welfare of farm animals, but implementing those ideas requires understanding regulations. That’s where legal experts come in. To make your research meaningful, everything must connect.”

Animal welfare

As a core team member and vice-chair of Future Food Utrecht, Nordquist’s research centers on improving the welfare of animals raised for food production, such as cows, pigs, chickens, and more. She is particularly interested in ways to improve the welfare of these animals in the transition to a sustainable food system. Her work gains new perspectives and greater impact through collaborations within the Future Food community. “I’ve learned things here that I never considered before,” she reflects.

How amazing would it be if we could enhance human resilience to diseases in the same way we do with plants!

Food is pharma

Johan Garssen, chairman of Future Food Utrecht since 2021, works on the transition to a sustainable food chain from a very different perspective than Nordquist. As professor of Immunopharmacology at the Faculty of Science, Garssen investigates how diet can enhance resilience to disease. “Food and pharma are becoming increasingly interconnected,” says Garssen. “For example, a specific diet can prevent brain damage in children with the hereditary metabolic disease PKU.” He views resilience as a critical element of future food systems.

Parallels between humans and plants

Like Nordquist, Garssen benefits greatly from collaborations within Future Food Utrecht with colleagues from other scientific disciplines, such as biologist Corné Pieterse, who studies plant-microbiome interactions. Pieterse uses beneficial microorganisms to make plants more resistant to diseases, and sees parallels with human microbiomes. Garssen imagines groundbreaking possibilities: “How amazing would it be if we could enhance human resilience to diseases in the same way we do with plants?”

Only through team science can we truly make an impact

Plant proteins

Garssen has been part of Future Food since its very beginning in 2014. Over the years, the community has spearheaded many major interdisciplinary projects, including CropXR, a 2022 initiative that received significant funding. “The world recognizes the strength of our community,” says Garssen. Earlier this year, the group joined a government-led trade mission to France, showcasing its research on plant proteins, which is another cornerstone of sustainable food systems.

Fight for funding

Despite its achievements, Future Food Utrecht faces growing challenges. “We’re fighting harder than ever for funding,” Garssen admits. “Innovative, interdisciplinary projects require exploratory collaboration, but it’s tough to secure financing for that phase under the current system.” Nordquist agrees. “Exploration is crucial, and so is collaboration across disciplines. Only through team science can we truly make an impact.”