07 09 October 2026
Montpellier
EGEA Conference 2026: Can dietary recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake be met within sustainable food systems?
For its 10th edition, the EGEA conference will focus on reflecting on consumers’ current needs, expectations, and possibilities regarding fruit and vegetable consumption, with the aim of formulating recommendations to make our food systems more sustainable, notably by improving adherence to dietary guidelines. The conference is organized by Aprifel with the participation of INRAE scientists.
Current scientific evidence leaves little room for doubt: a transformation of our food systems with a shift toward plant-based diets rich in fruits and vegetables is essential to support both human and planetary health. However, the feasibility of achieving such a transformation must be assessed through the lens of the consumer—understanding the economic, cultural, social, and environmental barriers that shape food choices.
The 10th edition of EGEA conference will bring together the scientific community and stakeholders from across disciplines to explore how fruit and vegetables can drive healthier and more sustainable food systems. Discussions will address systemic challenges and opportunities, spanning health, environment, socio-economic perspectives, innovation, and consumer engagement.
In this edition, EGEA adopts a comprehensive “food systems” perspective, giving a central place to consumers’ needs, expectations, and constraints.
The conference is chaired by Boitshepo Bibi Giyose and Joël Doré - INRAE, JRU Food microbiology for health.
5 sessions
1. The impacts of meeting fruit & vegetable recommendations (chaired by Malek Batal & Ramya Ambikapathi)
2. Behaviors & levers for change (chaired by Sophie Nicklaus, INRAE - Scientific Director of Food & Health & Roberto Ugas)
3. Four collaborative projects, covering the entire food chain, aiming to support consumers in adopting healthier and more sustainable diets with increased fruit & vegetable intake (chaired by Jean-Pierre Cravedi & Sophie Drogué, INRAE - JRU Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems
4. Challenges and future perspectives for meeting fruit & vegetable recommendations in sustainable food systems (chaired by Mphumuzi Sukati & Christian Reynolds)
5. Roundtable designed by and for consumers (chaired by Rémi Kahane & Sylvie Avallone).
Conference website: https://www.egeaconference.com/
Registration (early bird until 15 April)