OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE GOOD FOOD FOR EVERYONE IN AN URBANIZING WORLD

In a rapidly urbanizing world, we design and develop Metropolitan Food Clusters (MFC) to implement sustainable agriculture and food production in and around cities and metropolitan areas.

Our efforts are driven by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25, which states: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care.” This principle underpins the mission of Wageningen MFC, as we strive to address the challenges of food security and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The Metropolitan Food Clusters (MFC) concept originates from extensive research conducted by Wageningen University & Research on the agri-food system of North-Western Europe and its spatial context. The findings from this research have been applied to system designs worldwide, including in China, India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Southern Africa, and other parts of Europe.

In 2017, we established Wageningen Metropolitan Food Clusters (also called Wageningen MFC) as part of the broader Wageningen knowledge network. Our organizational structure is inspired by the evolution of the third-generation university model, which is also emerging within this network.

Circularity, mindful use of all resources, is our guiding principle. In today’s open and dynamic society, we work in a co-design mode, collaborating with a network of knowledge institutes, technology providers, investors, entrepreneurs, and related governmental and non-governmental organizations. 

Since the turn of the century, we have delivered a wide range of tailored solutions in areas including: 

• Design and planning of Agroparks and Metropolitan Food Clusters
• Development of agri-food businesses in international markets
• Modernisation of food provision from all economic, social and environmental perspectives of sustainable development
• Transformation of rural areas
• Governmental strategies for food security and safety, and for development of the agri-food sector as a key pillar of the national economy 
• Provision of education and training programs, as well as the development of research and innovation facilities

At Wageningen MFC, we address critical global challenges, including food security, geopolitical instability, and the impacts of climate change. Our innovative approach integrates green energy, with such as food production and water management into a cohesive, sustainable system that enhances resilience and efficiency.

We have developed an integrated and decentralized system called an Energy Island, which can dynamically balance between the public grid and fluctuating renewable energy supplies. This system ensures a stable, local energy provision that supports multiple sectors while reducing reliance on external energy sources.

We offer well-structured workshop sessions that leverage the expertise of our specialists and our network of researchers and technology providers. These sessions can be combined with a comprehensive agri-food tour in the Netherlands, allowing participants to directly apply new insights to their own contexts. To learn more, please see our Workshops + Agri-food Tour.

Our goal is to help clients:

• Define the core of their challenges

• Clarify strategic pathways forward
• Draft a Term of Reference for the next confident steps and actions

Feel free to contact us for more information!