Projects at the Geography of Food Research Group
In our applied research projects, we research and develop possible solutions for more sustainable food systems - from the field to the table.
List of projects Geography in Food
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Cocoa in Numbers – from data to knowledge
Nowadays consumers of cocoa and chocolate products are not only interested in safe high-quality products but also in products which are sustainable and produced under fair ecological and social conditions. The demand for transparency of information on the condition of cultivation, production and…
completed, 07/2020 - 07/2021
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ZHAW Agri-food Database
Life Cycle Inventories for agricultural and food products
completed, 11/2013 - 12/2019
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Agrobiodiversity Summer School
Agrobiodiversity is essential for locally adapted and resilient land use systems across the globe and ultimately contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ongoing, 10/2019 - 04/2027
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Water and Nutrient Circularity as a Service (WaNCaaS)
completed, 01/2024 - 12/2024
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Global Greenhouse Impact Model
The carbon footprint of foodstuffs is a key factor for sustainable development of the food sector. One of the major factors contributing to the carbon footprint of foodstuffs is the heating of greenhouses. The required quantity of heating is highly variable depending on production season and local…
completed, 12/2013 - 06/2014
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Foodscape.ch – A serious game on the Swiss food system as a teaching unit
Agricultural production, consumption, trade of food, etc -- the Swiss food system is as complex as it is central to our daily lives. Our food supply has a greater impact on the environment, economy and society than almost any other area of life. And yet we are not very familiar with the structures…
completed, 08/2018 - 04/2021
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Sustainable Protein and Oil Crops: The potential of protein and oil crops for a transformation towards a more sustainable Swiss food system…
Researchers from ZHAW, Agroscope, and FiBL are investigating how legumes and oilseeds like soybeans and flax can contribute to a more sustainable Swiss food system. A shift to a more plant-based diet and food production is urgently needed. But what does this mean for consumers and farmers, and how…
ongoing, 04/2025 - 03/2029
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Eco-confession-chair
An innovative Scientainment-concept for the playful sensibilisation of environmental awareness and imparting of action competences for environmentally friendly behaviour.
completed, 01/2015 - 12/2016
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AgroInnoTool
Digital tool for the diversification of agricultural production
completed, 07/2017 - 06/2018
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"PRE Wädenswil – Strengthening Sustainability and Climate-Friendliness in the Value Chains of Food Produced in Wädenswil"
The Geography Research Group took over the coaching of the Wädenswil Regional Development Project (PRE). The local project initiative aims to promote local, sustainable food, the circular economy and cooperation between producers, processing, research and consumption in Wädenswil.
completed, 11/2022 - 12/2023
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Developing a farmers’ happiness index with smallholder coffee and tea farmers in Sri Lanka and India
Farmers are often exposed to higher economic as well as physical and mental health risks affecting their overall wellbeing. Together with coffee and tea farmers of India and Sri Lanka, we will develop a farmers' happiness index to measure farmers’ well-being and its influencing factors.
ongoing, 06/2024 - 12/2025
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Farm to Table 2.0 - Wädenswil Edition (FTT2.0)
The future of university gastronomy: sustainable enjoyment that takes into account ecological, social and economic aspects - is that possible?
ongoing, 09/2024 - 03/2026
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Sustainable and healthy diets: Trade-offs and synergies
Effects of diet on health, environment, agriculture
completed, 07/2016 - 03/2019
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CONSUS - A GIS tool for agricultural planning
The Institute for Environment and Natural Resources (IUNR) has developed a tool for the efficiently and strategically planning of production and procurement in the agricultural market. It assesses the suitability of sites worldwide for specific agricultural products on the basis of geographic…
completed, 07/2014 - 12/2021
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The potential for ecologically sustainable agricultural production and ethologically responsible animal husbandry in Switzerland
Food is responsible for a large proportion of global consumption of natural resources and for many environmental impacts. The focus is on animal foods in particular. The high and growing consumption of meat and milk is a global challenge. Switzerland must also participate in the search for ways of…
completed, 10/2017 - 11/2018
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Agriculture and agricultural policy between security of supply and ecological sustainability: convictions, interests and arguments
This study is based on the observation that discussions about agriculture and the "right" agricultural policy in Switzerland are highly polarised. Different economic and political interests alone are not enough to understand the intensity of an often emotional debate. There are several…
completed, 04/2014 - 11/2014
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Regionalised Agricultural Life Cycle Assessment
The start-up financed project is a research cooperation of the research groups Life Cycle Assessment, Geography of Food and Geoinformatics for the development of a competence focus "Regionalised Agricultural LCA". The feasibility of a regionalised life cycle assessment will be examined…
completed, 06/2018 - 01/2019
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Opening up the market as a way to a sustainable Swiss agriculture and food industry - opportunities, challenges and solutions
Swiss food industry and agriculture have developed under the conditions of enhanced protection against competition and direct support for agricultural production. Over the past 20 years, agricultural policy instruments have been restructured, but this should not obscure the fact that agriculture is…
completed, 04/2014 - 03/2015
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Food strategies for all: participation and transformation in smaller cities
Food strategies are processes to promote sustainable development locally. But how can they also be implemented in smaller communities?
ongoing, 04/2023 - 08/2026
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Eco Missions
Escape Rooms and Outdoor Missions are booming: Electronic scavenger hunts, foxtrails, geocaching, or mobile phone trails are a popular leisure activity among young families or young people. Our new "Eco Missions" offer is designed to do justice to these new leisure activities. In an eco…
completed, 09/2018 - 12/2021