Saclay Plant’ Innov’ 2026, discussions and perspectives on plants in the diet

Organized by the Saclay Plant Sciences (SPS) network, the SayFood - Paris-Saclay Food and Bioproduct Engineering research unit, and the “Physiologie de la Nutrition et du Comportement” (PNCA) research unit, and in partnership with Carnot Plant2Pro, 3BCar, and Qualiment, this event brought together around 65 researchers (including some doctoral students) and representatives from private companies. Its goal was to foster discussions and new collaborations.

The event featured presentations, two thematic round-tables, and moments for informal discussion that provided opportunities for networking.

The presentations showcased a wide range of innovative projects carried out within the organizing research units, covering various stages of the food supply chain. They will soon be available for download on the event’s dedicated web page.

Two major issues concerning the future of nutrition were addressed during the round-table discussions: 

• Food requirements by 2050: what plant-based solutions for nutrition, health, and food security?
• Farming for the future: innovative plants and agricultural engineering to develop agroecological systems aligned with food demands

For each topic, experts provided insights on these issues and engaged with the audience.

Feedback from participants, which was very positive, highlighted the diversity of the projects presented, the quality of the discussions, and the richness of the perspectives shared during the round-tables. 

SPS’s strong commitment to organizing and funding this event demonstrates its dedication to fostering innovation in plant research and strengthening partnerships with other scientific communities and the socio-economic sector. This commitment is also embodied through the “SPS’Innov” call for projects, which funds innovative initiatives involving public and private stakeholders. 

The event also provided an opportunity to present to an audience of about thirty people the new workshop “Change de plats pour le climat”  , a science outreach initiative led by SPS and designed for middle and high school students. This allowed us to gather feedback from colleagues and members of other communities working on food-related issues prior to the workshop’s implementation, with the goal of continuously improving our programs.