EU invests US$2.4M to accelerate plant-based food adoption
ISAAP represents a joint effort to make plant-based foods more accessible, appealing, and sustainable across Europe.
EUROPE – The European Union (EU) has announced a €2.2 million (US$2.4 million) investment to boost the adoption and consumption of plant-based foods across Europe.
The funding will support the Innovative Strategies to Accelerate Adoption and Consumption of Plant-Based Food (ISAAP) project, which will run from September 2025 to August 2027.
ISAAP aims to strengthen Europe’s transition to more sustainable diets by promoting legumes and developing plant-based dishes for catering.
The project brings together farmers, researchers, NGOs, and catering companies, and is coordinated with the national offices of ProVeg International in Portugal and the Czech Republic.
It will also replicate and expand strategies from Denmark’s National Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, which has become a model for driving dietary change at scale.
Jasmijn de Boo, global CEO of ProVeg International, stated that the initiative marks a pivotal moment in reshaping the food system. “ISAAP represents a joint effort to make plant-based foods more accessible, appealing, and sustainable across Europe. We are proud to collaborate with partners in creating real change that benefits farmers, industry, and consumers alike.”
In Portugal, ProVeg Portugal will lead stakeholder engagement alongside key agricultural groups, including the Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal (CAP) and producers’ organisation CERPRO.
With the support of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, the project will also advance innovation in legume-based products, strengthening connections between agriculture, research, and industry.
Joana Oliveira, country director of ProVeg Portugal, stated that the effort is crucial to building resilient food systems.
“Supporting Portuguese farmers to grow more legumes and connecting them with research and industry partners is a cornerstone of this project. Together with CAP, CERPRO, and UCP, we aim to strengthen local food systems and show how collaboration can drive real impact,” she said.
In Czechia, ProVeg will focus on the foodservice sector, collaborating with Catering Zdravě and other partners to expand the range of plant-based meals available in restaurants, schools, and workplace cafeterias.
The project will also support the growth of the New Food Forum, an industry platform for innovation and best practice.
Martin Ranninger, co-director of ProVeg Czechia, emphasised the importance of collaboration. “Our work in Czechia is about creating more opportunities for plant-based meals in partnership with caterers, policymakers, and innovators. The ISAAP consortium allows us to learn from others, share best practices, and together make sustainable food choices more accessible to everyone.”
By uniting efforts across Portugal, Czechia, and Denmark, ISAAP seeks to make plant-based food a mainstream option while supporting European farmers and strengthening local food systems.
Meanwhile, as a related development, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the first global benchmark for plant-based labeling.
The new standard restricts the “plant-based” claim to foods free of animal ingredients, requiring qualifiers such as “plant-based vegetarian” for hybrid products.
While voluntary, the guidance is expected to influence both industry practice and future regulation, offering clarity for consumers and credibility for the sector at a pivotal time of growth.
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