Developing innovative plant-based added-value food products through the promotion of LOCAL Mediterranean NUT and LEGUME crops
WHAT IS LOCALNUTLEG?
The LOCALNUTLEG project aims to promote the cultivation and consumption of foods characteristic of these areas that have the distinction of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), especially nuts and local legumes such as almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, lentils or chickpeas, among others.
This way, the project aims to increase the development of products made from these certified foods and plant origin, with the final intention of promoting the cultivation that is carried out in the Mediterranean areas.
OBJECTIVES
the objectives to be achieved with the realization of this project are five:
DURATION
May 1, 2021 – December 31, 2024
PROJECT WEBSITE
WHY?
The Mediterranean diet is known for the great nutritional and healthy contribution of its foods. According to experts, it is one of the most balanced dietary guidelines, thanks to the wide range of products grown in areas bathed by the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, UNESCO inscribed the Mediterranean diet as one of the elements of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
METHODOLOGY
It is intended to achieve an alternative type of protein and provide consumers with the maximum amount of nutrients possible, always staying true to the type of diet that is followed in regions bathed by the Mediterranean Sea.
One of the main ingredients that the LOCALNUTLEG project aims to develop are vegetable flours that can be used for the subsequent preparation of pastry or fresh pasta foods, but also for the preparation of ready-to-eat ready-made dishes.
Thus, LOCALNUTLEG will also enable the implementation of new technologies and tools optimized for food processing throughout the value chain. In this way, the project aims to carry out practices that are more respectful with the environment, always preserving the original nutritional value and enriching the final products.
In order to determine the tastes and preferences of consumers and the success that these products can have in the market, qualitative and quantitative studies have been carried out in eight countries: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, France, Israel, Turkey and Morocco.
@localnutleg
LOCALNUTLEG has received financial support from the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), which is funded by Horizon 2020, the European Union’s Research and Innovation program.
This project is part of the PRIMA programme supported by the European Union.
PARTICIPATING PARTNERS
| COUNTRY | ORGANIZATION | TYPE OF ENTITY |
| Spain | Institute of Agri-Food Research and Technology – IRTA | Public Organization |
| Spain | Polytechnic University of Catalonia | University |
| Spain | Miquel Agustí’s Foundation | University |
| Spain | Center for Research in Agrifood Economics and Development – CREDA | University |
| Spain | Unió Nuts | Cooperative |
| Spain | FERRER | Company |
| Portugal | Polytechnic Institute of Braganza – IPB | University |
| Portugal | Montanhas Collective Research Laboratory – MORE CoLab | Non-profit Organization |
| Portugal | SORTEGEL –Frozen Products SA | Company |
| Italy | University of Milan – UMIL | University |
| Italy | Zini Food Products | Company |
| France | National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment – INRAE | Public Organization |
| France | Vegepolys Valley | Cluster |
| France | La Mandorle – LM | SME |
| Turkey | Izmir Institute of Technology – IZTECH | University |
| Turkey | Department of Food Engineering, University of Bursa Uludag – BUFED | University |
| Turkey | UN PA Patisserie | SME |
| Turkey | Urla Women Entrepreneurship Production and Management Cooperative – UKKOOP | SME |
| Israel | Agriculture Research Organization – ARO | Public Organization |
| Israel | Tel-Hai College | University |
| Israel | Chickp-Protein – ChickP | SME |
| Morocco | Moroccan Almonds International – MAI | Company |
| Germany | Fraunhofer IMW | Public Organization |
THE ROLE OF CREDA
TASK
In this project CREDA works in WP5, assessing consumer satisfaction and acceptance of innovative plant-based food products. Thus, the tasks carried out in LOCALNUTLEG are:
- Analysis of consumer preference and acceptance, as well as willingness to pay and buying behaviour, towards innovative products in the case studies. In addition, factors affecting consumer behaviour and purchasing decisions will be taken into account.
- Evaluation of feasible marketing strategies to provide guidelines for creating added value, meeting market demands and analysing opinions regarding market exploration strategies.
- Selection of seven case studies out of 20 prototypes from an initial screening of the products using the criteria of sensory acceptability and SME representation among the consortium.
