The event spaces, particularly the “plazas”, have always been one of TUTTOFOOD’s greatest attractions. In this year's edition, at fieramilano from the 22nd to 26th of October, of the five event areas, two of the plazas will stand out: those featuring the two biggest current Food & Beverage phenomena. The evolution of Retail and supermarket chains, which takes the spotlight in the Retail Plaza, and the profound transformations dictated by digitalisation and innovation, in the Evolution Plaza.

The latter area centres on innovation in its ‘techiest’ forms: apps, food delivery, e-commerce and traceability. A venue for the most up-to-date solutions as well as the soul of the TUTTODIGITAL, Evolution Plaza will feature initiatives from both major players and innovative start-ups alongside best practices brought along by exhibitors too.

An award for outstanding innovation

Also of great significance is the Innovation Area, where products awarded the new Better Future Award, created in collaboration with magazines Gdoweek and Mark UP and devoted to food excellence at the event, will be on display. A panel of industry experts will evaluate the competing products based on 3 categories: innovation, ethics and sustainability, and packaging.

The Innovation Award will recognise new products developed that stand out from their competitors while the Innovation panel will include Sandro Castaldo, professor at Bocconi University, Chairman of the Italian Management Society and chairman of the scientific committee Diversity Brand Index; Sara Roversi, founder of the Future Food Institute; Gregoire Kaufmann, Senior Advisor Kearney, ex Carrefour; and Gabriele Nicotra, general manager of Decò Italia.

The Ethics and Sustainability Award will be given to companies that have distinguished themselves in: industrial and supply chain processes, going green, territory-community, education, work, health, minorities and society, and the global south, and nominations will be judged by Roberta Paltrinieri, Banca Etica; Rossella Sobrero, chairwoman of FERPI, member of the Board of Directors of Fondazione Pubblicità Progresso and of the Board of Directors of CSR Manager Network; Alberto Grando, Professor of Production and Operations Management at Bocconi University; Franco Cliselli, Head of Food Category Management Metro Cash & Carry Osterreich Gmbh, Austria; and Alessandra Corsi, chief category officer for Conad.

Meanwhile, how packaging is evolving in step with the industrial world, consumption, operations and logistics will guide the Packaging Award. Its panel of judges will include: Geo Lanza, lecturer at IED; Marisa Galbiati, lecturer in multimedia and audio-visual communication at the Polytechnic University of Milan; and Fabio Sordi, Sales Manager at Selex.

To find out how to take part, go to https://www.tuttofood.it/en/better-future-award.html. The deadline for participating is Wednesday the 8th of September.