The New Food Conference (NFC) 2026, scheduled for August 25 in Berlin, charts the industry’s evolution from startup mode to industry standard.
Under the banner ‘Beyond the Hype: Resilient Systems, Cross-Industry Alliances,’ the event centres on visionary insights for the strategic development of the alternative protein sector. Key areas of focus include securing robust supply chains, driving the next phase of ‘Plant-Based 2.0,’ and strengthening protein sovereignty.
To achieve this, the New Food Conference brings together decision-makers from the food industry, retail, agriculture, and politics to forge alliances for a resilient and future-proof protein supply.
09:00 - 09:15
Welcome Speech
09:15 – 10:00
PANEL |Â Mainstreaming Plant Proteins from Category Management to Consumer Communication
10:10 - 10:55
PANEL |Â Plant-based 2.0: Conceptualising and Developing the Next Generation of Products
10:55 - 11:25
Coffee break
11:25 - 11:35
IMPULSE | Shaping the Next Chapter – From Start-up Ideas to Scaled Reality
11:35 - 12:20
PANEL |Â Remastered and Market-Ready: Field Notes on Hybrid Products
12:20 - 13:05
PANEL |Â Smart Contracts and Cost Strategies to Close the Agricultural Supply Gap
13:05 - 14:35
Lunch break
14:35 - 14:45
IMPULSE | Normalising Plant-Based Shopping Habits: The Supermarket of Tomorrow
14:45 - 15:30
PANEL |Â In Times of Crisis: Turning Supply Chain Risks into Growth Opportunities
15:30 - 15:40
IMPULSE | Mastering Health, Technology and Taste
15:40 - 16:25
PANEL |Â Longevity, the Microbiome and Future Health Narratives
16:25 - 16:55
Coffee break
16:55 - 17:05
IMPULSE | The Innovation Race: How Brands and Private Label Shape the Market
17:05 - 17:50
PANEL |Â Shaping European Policies: Political and Regulatory Roadmaps for a Resilient Protein Supply
17:50 - 18:00
Closing speech
18:00 - 21:00
Networking evening
The New Food Conference 2019 was the first of its kind in Europe, featuring plant-based innovations as well as cultured-meat research. The programme was exceptional and packed with knowledge – high-profile speakers covered a wide range of subjects, from inspiring best-practices to the technical and regulatory, all embedded in a highly interactive atmosphere.
While the first wave of plant-based products has very successfully hit the markets, we see a clear trend to nutritionally optimized products now with Natural Health Ingredients delivering physiological benefits. The New Food Conference is a great platform to discuss in-depth developments and provides valuable insight from the whole industry.
