• MIFB’s new trade talk show to discuss Precision Agriculture, Food Waste Management, Blockchain and FoodTech; industry guests include MAREA and Good Food Institute APAC

• MIFB will also collaborate with Supplybunny and The Food Market Hub in a special financing initiative to reduce food waste in hotels, restaurants, and cafes

The Knowledge Programme’s three thematic pillars

Kuala Lumpur, 26 June 2023 — The Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB) will host a new edition of its trade talk show to drive conversation and collective action towards strengthening food supply in the region. Titled The Knowledge Programme, the lineup of guests include industry experts from the Malaysian Recycling Alliance Berhad (MAREA) and the Good Food Institute Asia Pacific.

Aligned with MIFB's theme this year of “Accelerating ASEAN’s Food Security & Sustainability”, The Knowledge Programme will take the form of a pocket talk show with a robust agenda built around three thematic pillars: mitigating food insecurity, creating a zero-waste food landscape, and fostering innovative F&B practices in Southeast Asia. The programme will take place on-site at MIFB, which happens from 12 - 14 July 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

“As a go-between organisation that represents the F&B industry in sustainability conversations with wider stakeholders and the Malaysian government, MAREA is looking forward to actively participating in this year’s MIFB. This event will serve as a valuable platform for us to connect with other like-minded businesses and advocate for stronger waste management action. We believe that through collective effort, we can create a greener and more sustainable future not only for the environment, but for the long-term health of the industry as well,” says Robert Benetello, CEO of MAREA.

Besides discussions with household names in F&B, experts from global food think tanks will also be presenting findings on accelerating food sustainability through public policy, industry engagement, and food science.

Mirte Gosker, Managing Director of the Good Food Institute APAC, Asia’s leading alternative protein think tank also shares: “Part of the Institute’s core values is to share knowledge freely — and this is something we aim to do with our participation in The Knowledge Programme. We look to bring our expertise in alternative protein solutions to the F&B regulators, stakeholders, and innovators in MIFB’s global network and ultimately contribute our research data to policy conversations about developing more sustainable production practices across the board.”

Driving sustainability in the hospitality industry

Visitors throng MIFB's variety of trade fair booths

Recognising the need to reduce food wastage within the service industry to meet the larger goals of food security and sustainability, MIFB is also announcing strategic partnerships with local procurement specialists Supplybunny and The Food Market Hub. Under this collaboration, HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and cafes) establishments will have the flexibility to order goods in substantially smaller quantities and take up an instalment plan rather than paying upfront.

Additionally, the trio is extending an event-exclusive offer to businesses that sign up for the programme at MIFB 2023: zero interest on sign-ups and transactions for up to 30 days, as opposed to the conventional 2% interest.

MIFB 2023 is open to the trade visitors with a simple registration process. To find out more about the event agenda or to sign up as an attendee, please visit www.mifb.com.my.