Tobias Bandel

Soil & More's Tobias Bandel

At this year’s European edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit, set to take place in Amsterdam on 4-5 June, participants will discuss approaches to reducing the environmental impact of food and beverages through the use of novel ingredients and green packaging.

Sustainable packaging is a key issue due to the growing pressure on today’s businesses to reduce their use of packaging, and Carrefour will be on hand to share some of its sustainable packaging initiatives.

According to organisers Organic Monitor, the event will begin with a keynote address on soil fertility to mark the United Nations’ decision to declare 2015 the international year of soils.

“Details will be given on how soil health contributes to food security, poverty reduction, as well as protecting and preserving ecosystems,” Organic Monitor revealed in a statement. “Tobias Bandel from Soil & More further discusses the role of soil in mitigating climate change.”

This year’s summit will equally look at the implications of the mooted, and controversial, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the US, examining the risks of the free trade deal for sustainable food producers and consumers in Europe.

Another session focuses on green marketing, with Green & Black’s founder and president Craig Sams discussing green brand values and Coop Denmark explaining the rapid rise of its sustainable Anglamark label.