As part of its efforts towards more sustainable food systems, the SPOON project has established citizen science labs in six European regions where residents help researchers explore different stages of the “food journey”: from planning and shopping to cooking, eating and managing leftovers.

The idea is to involve citizens and turn them into drivers of change to reduce food’s environmental impact. SPOON therefore invites residents to take part directly in its research – sharing their experiences, testing new digital tools and helping shape the project itself, rather than just being studied from a distance.

The first two rounds of participation have now been completed, providing valuable insights into people’s everyday food practices and attitudes. The first round, held in November 2025, introduced participants to the project’s objectives and explored their views on sharing personal food-related data for research. The findings revealed that people are generally willing to share such information when the purpose is transparent, meaningful and easy to understand. However, participants also expressed concerns about maintaining control over their data and navigating privacy policies that are often perceived as too complex.

The second round, conducted in April and May 2026, focused on food planning and purchasing. Participants discussed their daily routines, the factors influencing their food choices, and the practical barriers they face, including time constraints, limited budgets and established habits. They also tested and provided feedback on early prototypes of the SPOON’s digital tool, which aims to support healthier and more sustainable food choices across Europe.

To ensure wide and continuous participation, the research team implemented targeted engagement strategies, expanded outreach through local community organisations and developed new participatory methods to make sessions more interactive.

With the first two rounds now complete, SPOON will turn to the remaining stages of the food journey: storing and preparing food, eating and managing leftovers. The insights gathered throughout the citizen science labs will help refine the project’s digital tools and support the co-creation of behavioural interventions that promote healthier, fairer and more sustainable food systems across Europe.

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Cover photo by INCOMMON