On Wednesday, the innovation hub Las Naves opened its doors to a full house for KM ZERO ftalks25, an international summit dedicated to sustainable food systems, emerging agritech, and food circularity. Organised by KM ZERO and framed within the activities of Valencia Innovation Capital, the event gathered changemakers, researchers, startups, and EU-funded projects from across Europe to address the urgent question of how to build the future of food.
The Agora Stage at Las Naves filled quickly in the morning as the ftalks25 programme welcomed a wide range of food system innovators, researchers, and European partners. ToNoWaste, an EU Horizon project working toward sustainable food value chains and zero waste practices, was present throughout the day. We took part in the Agora Stage sessions, engaged with our local partners, and visited the circular market where innovative food entrepreneurs showcased sustainable products and prototypes aligned with the principles of responsible production and consumption.
From the early hours, Las Naves buzzed with activity. Attendees queued outside under the Valencian sun, filtering into a space that merged innovation and community. The shaded inner courtyard, lined with food tech stands and tasting stations, provided a tangible look into the future of circular gastronomy. Inside, parallel sessions unfolded in packed conference halls, highlighting both systemic challenges and solutions.
Among the most prominent discussions of the day was the urgent need to shift consumption habits toward seasonal, locally sourced produce. Several speakers highlighted the environmental cost of transporting food across continents, pointing out that “it’s good that someone in Finland can eat watermelon”. The remark, light-hearted yet firm, captured the need to rethink the global food trade, not only in favour of territorial logic, climate appropriateness, and resource efficiency, but to make it a generalized option.
The event also offered a platform to present Agrolab, a programme launched within the framework of the ToNoWaste project. Agrolab supports the development of innovative, tech-driven solutions that help prevent and reduce food loss and waste across agri-food chains. The initiative encourages startups to tackle food waste before it happens—by addressing critical points in production, distribution, or consumption. During the event, several Agrolab-winning startups were interviewed and presented their solutions, offering concrete examples of how targeted innovation can support the transition toward a zero-waste food system.
Technological innovation was a central pillar throughout the day. Sessions led by AINIA and KM ZERO featured agritech solutions including smart irrigation systems, organic mulching using plant residue, and AI-powered tools to monitor and optimise agricultural output. The ‘StartBEC by AINIA’ panel spotlighted bioeconomy startups that demonstrated just how quickly digital transformation is reshaping the food sector.
Looking ahead to 2050, expert panels explored expected transformations in consumer behaviour and food availability. “By mid-century, Europe will no longer eat the way it does today,” one speaker stated. “The question is—are we prepared for that change?” Discussions focused on ensuring these transitions are just, equitable, and environmentally sound.
Outside the panels, the circular market captured the imagination of attendees with stalls offering everything from sustainable coffee and plant-based innovations to upcycled food prototypes. These market spaces made visible the kinds of systems ToNoWaste and its partners are working to support: low-impact, inclusive, scalable.
Grassroots movements also took the spotlight on the Agora Stage. AMUCC, a Latin American women-led cooperative, delivered a session titled “Sembrar alianzas, cosechar futuro” (“Sowing alliances, harvesting the future”), reminding the audience that building sustainable futures means centring voices historically excluded from decision-making.
Throughout the event, ToNoWaste partners underlined the relevance of connecting European research to regional action. By supporting programmes like Agrolab, the project is not only enabling technical innovation but anchoring it in real-world ecosystems with replicable impact.
The day concluded with one resounding message: food circularity is not a distant goal—it is an unfolding reality. KM ZERO ftalks25 showcased that when projects, people, and places come together around shared purpose, transformation begins.
For ToNoWaste, this moment reaffirmed the importance of continuing to build collaborative networks across Europe to push the boundaries of what a sustainable food system can be.