On 19 February 2026, from 9:00 to 15:00, the Food4Health Innovation Hub of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), in cooperation with the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK), hosted a professional event at the Training Center of the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture titled: “Mapping Alternative Food Networks and Presenting Proven International Best Practices.”
About the Event
The Food4CE project focused on mapping Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) across Central and Eastern Europe. A key objective was to strengthen the development and long-term operation of sustainable and resilient alternative food systems — including short food supply chains — through digitalisation and innovative tools and solutions.
This professional day aimed to:
- Foster knowledge exchange between actors involved in alternative food networks.
- Strengthen cooperation across regions.
- Present proven national and international best practices.
- Support the future development of small-scale food processing and distribution enterprises.
Programme Highlights
The event included:
- Welcome remarks from representatives of MATE and NAK – Katalin Tószegi-Faggyas, Head of Rural Development Group, Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK); Quang Duc Nguyen, Vice-Director, Institute of Food Science and Technology (MATE), Project Manager.
- Presentation of international best practices in alternative food networks – Géza Hitka, Head of Centre, MATE Institute of Food Science and Technology, Professional Lead of the Project.
- New Business Models Applicable in Digital Short Food Supply Chains – Péter Varga, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Cibus Hungaricus.
- Operational Experiences of an Automated Warehouse, Order Picking and Collection Point in Buda – Anna Visy, Assistant Professor, MATE Institute of Food Science and Technology.
- Interactive group and individual practices to explore individual opportunities, identify strengths and weaknesses, and support the future development of small-scale food processing and distribution enterprises – Zsuzsanna Horváth-Mezőfi, Research Associate, MATE Institute of Food Science and Technology; Anna Visy, Assistant Professor, MATE Institute of Food Science and Technology; Géza Hitka, Head of Centre, Professional Lead of the Project; Péter Varga, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Cibus Hungaricus.
- Discussion and evaluation of results, followed by the closing of the programme – Géza Hitka, Head of Centre, MATE Institute of Food Science and Technology, Professional Lead of the Project.