Ten Years of Food Hack – Building the Future of Sustainable Food Systems

It has been just over ten years since Krinova organised the innovation competition Food Hack for the very first time. Back in September 2014, it was not only a premiere for Krinova but also one of Europe’s very first Food Hacks. With the call “Let’s build the future of sustainable food”, students, researchers and entrepreneurs – indeed, anyone with an interest and commitment to food – were invited. Shaping the sustainable food systems of the future still permeates the competition today, eight Food Hacks later.

Over the years, Food Hack by Krinova has developed into a truly international innovation competition. In total, the competition has attracted more than 300 participants representing around 30 different countries. That mix of expertise and diversity of perspectives is part of what has made Food Hack unique.

– It’s fantastic to see the commitment, with everyone – across national borders – passionate about solving the challenges we face. I am both impressed and humbled by all the hackers we’ve met over the years and the work they’ve put in to create excellent solutions during 48 intensive hours, says Elin Carleke, who has been project manager for several of Krinova’s Food Hacks.

More than just an innovation competition

Food Hack started as a pure innovation competition but has developed into something bigger over the years. Today’s format includes inspirational talks, exhibitions and open activities that attract a wide audience interested in food, innovation and sustainability. Over 48 intensive hours, participants work in teams to find solutions to the challenges they have chosen, presenting their results to an audience and jury as the grand finale. The outcomes impress every time.

Food Hack has sparked strong engagement among participants. For some, it has planted the seeds of business ideas, but perhaps most importantly, it has provided a foundation and a network in their continued roles as entrepreneurs.

Thanks to all our partners

Food Hack would not have been possible without the many partners Krinova has had over the years. A big thank you to Absolut Company, IKEA Food, Greater Copenhagen, DTU Skylab, DTU Food, Orkla, CRC Nordic, Formas, AGFO, Lyckeby, Culinar, Oatly, Bio Paavo, JAMK, SLU, LRF Skåne, Kristianstad Municipality, FIPDes, Kristianstad University, Sparbanken Skåne, Innovationskontor Syd, Stiftelsen RUTH, Region Skåne, the COLOURS project co-financed by the EU, Viable Cities and Visit Skåne.

Food Hack lives on

This autumn, on 21–23 October, Food Hack will return – now organised by Kristianstad University within the framework of the COLOURS project.

Winners and ideas through the years

2014

• Most innovative idea – Cooking for computer – a platform for visualising recipes.
• Idea with the greatest potential to impact society – Food Loop – a model for creating new products from food that would otherwise be discarded.
• Greatest commercial potential – Open Jar – a technical solution that keeps track of expiry dates of everything in the fridge and suggests recipes based on the contents.

2015
– no competition held

2016

• Most innovative idea – Team Eat ’em – concept to influence attitudes and encourage more people to eat insects.
• Most impactful idea – Team Dynahmat 2.0 – an app with a connected sensor to monitor the cold chain of food products, helping reduce unnecessary food waste.
• Greatest potential – Team IKEA – creatively designed moulds to encourage children to try healthier ingredients in a playful way.

2017

• Most innovative idea – a pen-sized scanner that can warn if your food contains allergens.
• Greatest potential – a technology to distinguish counterfeit food products from originals.
• Idea with the most future significance – a hexagonal box designed to protect and transport fruit and vegetables in developing countries, 3D-printable.
• Audience choice – a digital platform enabling neighbours to collaborate on grocery shopping to reduce transport between consumer and shop.

2018

• First prize – Team Apple Girl – packaging material made from apple pulp left over after juice pressing. A leather-like, fully biodegradable material.
• Second prize – Gotland Truffle Challenge – truffle pearls (truffle blended with butter and gel coating), preserving flavour and aroma during heating.

2019

• First prize – Peecycling – in true circular spirit, a solution using nutrients from urine to increase food production.
• Second prize – Clear Sky – solution to reduce airline food and packaging waste.

2020–2022
– no competition held due to the pandemic

2023

• First prize – Nonger – solution connecting wholesalers/retailers with Stadsmissionen’s shops using available data, capturing food surplus to fight food poverty.
• Second prize – Trust Me – solution using data to create transparency in meat production and build consumer trust.

2024 (organised in collaboration with Kristianstad University and the COLOURS project)

• Winner: Online Pantry – a complete digital solution for monitoring pantry and fridge items, designed to reduce food waste.