European Farmers meet Hollywood at Plant Food Summit in Copenhagen

Plant Food Summit unites visionary farmers, innovative entrepreneurs, leading researchers, businesses, policymakers and many others. This will happen during two inspiring days with the topic of how plant-based foods play a role in sustainable development as the main focus.  

As the hosting country, Denmark will highlight its experience with creating a national Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods as well as establishing The Plant-Based Food Grant, both of which aim to drive the transition without compromising growth and competitiveness. What is special about the Plant Food Summit is that it connects a variety of actors with different interests and viewpoints on plant-based foods and take a broad approach to ensure collaboration between all parties.

The event is organized in partnership with the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries on behalf of the Danish EU Presidency. The opening speech will be delivered by Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen. During the two days of the Summit, participants can look forward to excursions to Denmark’s leading plant-based food innovators as well as unique culinary experiences. 

The summit is part of Danish Plant-Based Diplomacy, a bridge-building initiative led by the Vegetarian Society of Denmark in collaboration with key stakeholders including farmer’s organizations, large corporations and a think tank. 

A wide range of partners stand behind the Plant Food Summit: City of Copenhagen, CONCITO, Confederation of Danish Industry, Danish Agriculture & Food Council, Danish Chamber of Commerce, Food Nation Denmark, LandboUngdom, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Organic Denmark, Plantebranchen, ProVeg International, Think Tank Frej and University of Copenhagen. The summit is supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation, Open Philanthropy, and Tilt Collective. 

Organizers expect around 350 international guests alongside 150 Danish representatives. Attendees will explore, taste, and gain new insights into how Denmark is driving progress across the food system. 

The program will also feature the official European launch of a comprehensive new report from the EAT-Lancet Commission, the international expert group whose work has informed dietary guidelines across the world. 

In addition, participants will hear from actress and environmental advocate, Kate Mara, who will deliver a keynote address alongside international researchers, policymakers, and representatives from across the food sector. 

The partners say: 

 

“When we bring strong partners from across Europe within agriculture, research, NGOs, and industry together in Denmark, we send a clear message: That we want to help drive the development of plant-based foods and create solutions that benefit the climate, farmers, and consumers. This is a position of strength we have built through collaboration and innovation across the entire food value chain – from farmers in the fields to the companies creating new products. At the Plant Food Summit, we have a unique opportunity to share experiences, attract investments and demonstrate that sustainable development can go hand in hand with growth and new export opportunities.” –Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen (Venstre)  

"Denmark is a very powerful pioneer for innovation and development of new tasty plant-based foods and ingredients, while also having a solid tradition and culture of high-quality food that is known throughout the world. We hope that this Summit can create a solid foundation for spreading the strong Danish tradition of trustful cooperation in all sectors for the benefit of a food industry built for the future both nationally and globally." –Jakob Lave, Director, Danish Food and Drink Federation, Confederation of Danish Industry 

“We look forward to the upcoming summit, as it brings together many strong voices in support of an important yet challenging process: promoting more plant-rich diets. In a world with growing demand for nutritious and sustainably produced food, it is crucial that we continue to develop plant-based production while also advancing the green transition in animal agriculture. This is not an either-or choice, but about complementarity between plant-based and animal-based foods.” –Anders Martin Klöcker, Innovation Director, Danish Agriculture & Food Council 

"At the Danish Chamber of Commerce, we acknowledge the beneficial effects that a more plant-based diet can have on both human health and the environment. In addition to that we recently published the results of a survey among our members which show that many companies within the food sector would like to focus more on producing and selling food that doesn’t contain meat, but at the same time they are experiencing low consumer demand for these products. It is therefore obvious for us to support Plant Food Summit 2025 and the aim of increasing interest in and demand after plant-based foods in both Denmark and other European countries." –Saoirse McKeever Andersen, Head of Food Policy, Danish Chamber Of Commerce  

"A more plant-based food system and plant-rich diets can serve as an important solution to many of the challenges that humankind faces. I myself eat plant-based for the sake of animals, the planet, and my own health. It is essential that we create a common path forward, where everyone works together with a sustainable outlook. I look very much forward to contributing to this important work at the Plant Food Summit in Copenhagen." –Kate Mara, actress and environmental advocate 

More plant-based foods and plant-rich diets are a central key to a European food system that ensures healthy and sufficient food for all, while achieving the necessary reductions in the climate and environmental impact of the food sector. CONCITO supports the Plant Food Summit to help spread insights and experiences with the green transformation and to build new alliances. –Michael Minter, Director of CONCITO's Food Division 

“For us organics, the fight for more plant-based food is both natural and necessary. As we want to stay within the planetary boundaries and ensure better animal welfare, we use less meat and increase plant-based diets. This goes hand in hand with organics, because we know that when families and professional kitchens cook delicious organic meals, they often use far more vegetables and legumes and less meat. We look forward to helping bring the industry together at the Plant Food Summit, and we are excited to contribute to a more organic, plant-based diet” –Rasmus Prehn, CEO of Organic Denmark 

“As Europe’s largest business association for plant-based foods, we in Plantebranchen are pleased that the Danish government has decided to use the EU Presidency to promote the strong Danish initiatives in the Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods and the Plant-Based Food Grant. Denmark truly has a chance here to be a pioneer and show the rest of Europe how to generate green growth.” -Frederik Madsen, Executive Director, Plantebranchen 

“Denmark is at the forefront of the systemic shift to plant-rich diets.The evidence is clear that scaling plant-rich diets is a core pathway to achieving our shared climate, biodiversity, and health goals. The Plant Food Summit hosted by Denmark provides a vital platform to address our food system's most pressing challenges. This summit is about forging a collaborative roadmap—uniting policymakers, scientists, civil society and industry to drive these essential solutions into the mainstream. These are exciting times for plant-based foods in terms of policy development, market growth, innovation and consumer acceptance. ProVeg is honoured to be a partner of the Summit and work with diverse stakeholders to advance food systems solutions.” -Tim Polkowski, Deputy CEO, ProVeg International 

Information for the press:  

The summit will take place 20–21 October at the Royal Danish Playhouse in Copenhagen. Photo opportunities and interviews with partners, speakers, and participants will be available throughout the event. 

Members of the press wishing to attend are kindly asked to request accreditation by contacting Head of Communications berit.ertmann@vegetarisk.dk. 

More information on speakers as well as the preliminary program is available at plantfoodsummit.eu