Sustainable Network for agrofood loss and waste prevention, management, quantification and valorisation
FoodWaStop COST Action CA22134
The FoodWaStop COST, is a scientific cooperation network, “CA22134 – Sustainable Network for agrofood loss and waste prevention (FLW), management, quantification and valorisation » funded by COST ACTION programme that addresses the following challenges and aims to: (i) build an interdisciplinary and multi-actor European Network that will also connect with non-EU Mediterranean countries, to promote knowledge on FLW beyond the state of the art; (ii) determine incidence of FLW in the critical points of the fruit and vegetable value chain; (iii) foster technological innovations and sustainable management strategies to reduce and prevent FLW; and (iv) valorise agrofood waste to promote a circular bio-economy.
The experience of the Coordinators and Participants gained from other related projects (e.g., PRIMA, H2020), the background from diverse EU and extra-EU countries, and the involvement of stakeholders and industry partners will contribute to increase awareness of this problem, to determine its incidence, to seek strategies for its management through exploitation of the potential of innovative technologies, and to define good practices to prevent FLW.
The FoodWaStop Network will provide benefits to various stakeholders and end-users, including all actors in the agrofood value chain, from farmers (Farm) to consumers (Fork). Moreover, FoodWaStop will create a knowledge platform that will promote innovation, deliver guidelines, and favour dialogue with policymakers, to focus their attention on the social and economic implications of FLW.
FoodWaStop CONFERENCE
The FoodWaStop conference is organized within the framework of COST Action “CA22134 – Sustainable Network for agrofood loss and waste prevention, management, quantification and valorisation” funded by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and European Union. This this will be the third edition of FoodWaStop conference and will be held at University of Zadar 4-5 February 2026.
The first gathering was held in Ancona (Italy) in 2024, and brought together more than 150 international experts in FLW, in its different dimensions, from postharvest science, smart solutions, food and loss quantification methodologies, prevention and reduction strategies, up-cycling and valorisation technologies, food logistics, predictive modelling, etc.
The second edition was held in Córdoba (Spain) in 2025, which was a pivotal moment in the field for Food Waste and Loss. The conference was the arena of the latest advances in the area, inviting outstanding keynote speakers, developing dedicated workshops, and engaging interactions and synergies between different scientific areas, countries, cultures and scientific communities with relevance in Food Waste and Loss.
For further details, please visit the conference website:
FoodWaStop Conference – MicroHibro
Second COST CA22134 FoodWaStop meeting, 4-5 March 2025 in Cordoba, Spain – FoodWaStop
CONFERENCE TOPICS
The main objective of the FoodWaStop CONFERENCE is to bring together scientists and other relevant stakeholders, industry, associations and governments, to explore and discuss solutions for mitigating and reducing Food Waste and Loss along the food supply chain. The main topics of the conference include:
- Prevention of food loss and food waste
- Agrofood loss and waste management
- Quantification of food loss and food waste
- Valorisation of agrofood waste and a circular bio-economy
- Cross-cutting strategies and smart systems for food management
The conference will be opened to other existing International and National scientific and technological initiatives, projects and research groups working on Food Waste and Loss reduction and prevention
SOCIAL DINNER
The social dinner will take place on Thursday, 5 February 2026. Participation is self-funded, and the cost is €60.00 per person
To participate in the social dinner, please make the payment by bank transfer no later than 23 January 2026 to the following bank account:
IBAN: HR11 2407 0001 1006 0948 2
SWIFT: OTPVHR2X
Reference number: 00 59980
Payment purpose: Congress COST CA 22134 FoodWa Stop
Account holder:
Sveučilište u Zadru
Mihovila Pavlinovića 1
23000 Zadar, Croatia
To avoid any last-minute issues, we kindly ask you to send proof of payment to
szjalic@unizd.hr and jloncar@unizd.hr
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Researchers are invited to submit abstracts falling in the area and topics covered by the FoodWaStop conference, mainly about Food waste and Loss, but not excluding related areas, food quality and safety, shelf life, food logistics, valorisation and circular bioeconomy, postharvest management, food digitalization among others.
Abstracts will be assessed by a scientific committee and selected to be presented as poster or oral communication.
Please, submit your abstract using the file template by 12th January 2026.
VENUE
The conference will take place at the University of Zadar in the Great Hall (Svecana dvorana) on the second floor of the building located at Obala kralja Petra Krešimira IV no. 2.
ACCOMMODATION
Zadar offers a range of hotels and apartments for rent. Although February is a low tourist season, many congresses are held during this period. Therefore, it is recommended to book your accommodation as soon as possible. The conference venue is located in the old town (peninsula), and here is a list of some hotels within walking distance of the venue:
Hotel Kolovare https://hotel-kolovare.com/hr/
Hotel Bastion https://www.hotel-bastion.hr
Boutique Hostel Forum https://hostelforumzadar.com/en
TRAVEL INFORMATION
During the winter, there are only a few flights to Zadar. The nearest alternative airports are Split and Zagreb.
The distance from Split to Zadar is about 160 km, while the distance from Zagreb is about 290 km. From both airports, you can take a coach to the main bus station and then catch a bus to Zadar.
The journey from Split to Zadar takes approximately 2 hours. Note that there are direct buses that use the highway (around 2 hours), as well as buses that follow the coastal road, which can take 4 or more hours.
Travel time from Zagreb to Zadar is approximately 3.5 hours.
Useful links:
Split bus station info: https://www.ak-split.hr/en/departures-from-split/
Zagreb bus station info: https://www.akz.hr/ticket-purchase/ticket-purchase-113/113
The major companies operating at the both destinations are Flix bus and Arriva. You can also check their time tables.
Important warring on taxi services
The best way to order a taxi in Croatia is by using an app. Both Bolt and Uber operate as taxi services in Croatia. Prices are not regulated, so to avoid surprises, it’s recommended to use taxis booked through the app.