On April 3, the vibrant heart of Gothenburg was buzzing with ideas, flavours, and inspiration as the city’s annual Science Festival unfolded in Nordstan. Among the many exciting events, SWITCH and FullkornsFrämjandet joined forces to bring whole grains and sustainability into the spotlight.
During the event, visitors were invited to discover the power of whole grains through interactive activities, including tastings, fun quizzes, and lectures aimed at inspiring attendees to become “whole grain heroes”. One of the highlights was the main stage presentation “Eat Climate-Smart with Whole Grains!”, where SWITCH partners explained how the simple act of choosing whole grain bread or pasta can support a more climate-resilient food system. The audience learned how increasing whole grain consumption can lower environmental footprints while improving public health.
But the celebration of sustainable food did not stop there.
Later in the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to Göteborgsmåltiden, a SWITCH-supported initiative that honours and reimagines Gothenburg’s rich food culture. During the session titled “The New Gothenburg Meal”, the audience was introduced to the competition that kicked off earlier this year in which citizens were challenged to create a dish that celebrates local ingredients, tells a story of tradition and innovation, and sets the tone for a healthier and more sustainable culinary future. We have written about it in our article Science, Food, and Community: Highlights from the First Stop of the SWITCH Marathon in Sweden
The session featured passionate voices from across the city, including Maria Biörklund Helgesson (Project Manager, RISE and SWITCH Food Hub), Sofie Mantzaris (Göteborg & Co), and Maria Alexandersson (FullkornsFrämjandet). The real stars, however, were the Göteborgsmåltiden competition finalists, Josefin Malmer and Maria Bodestig, who shared their unique dishes and the inspirations behind them.