16 November 2025, Pollica (Italy) – The award-winning journalists of the 2025 SWITCH Journalism Award from across Europe joined the SWITCH Press Tour in Pollica, Italy, to explore the heart of the Mediterranean Diet and sustainable food systems.
The Horizon Europe–funded SWITCH Project concluded its 2025 Press Tour in Pollica. The event brought together six-award winning journalists for an immersive program dedicated to sustainable food systems and the Mediterranean Diet. The tour followed the announcement of the winners of the 2025 Journalism Award: Anna Fregonara, Simone Martino, Fabio Di Todaro, Maria Alonso Martinez, Kajsa Asp Jonson, Charlotte Bayon.
The program, hosted by the Future Food Institute in Pollica from 13 to 16 November, offered a unique blend of field experiences, scientific discussions, and cultural exchange. Participants visited the Regenerative Agriculture Farm La Petrosa, explored biodiversity and learnt about beekeeping at Volpe Farm, and attended the Mediterranean Diet Global Summit, featuring experts from UNESCO: Prof Dr. Evrim Ölçer Özünel, Chair of the Institute for Intangible Cultural Heritage, Dr David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at FAO, and international research institutions, Dr Antonia Trichopoulou, President of the Hellenic Health Foundation; Sara Roversi, President of the Future Food Institute, and Stefano Pisani, Mayor of Pollica.
The event was a platform for the participants to interact with members of the SWITCH consortium through presentations by scientific partners, technological demonstrations of SWITCH digital tools, and testimonies from community Food Hubs across Europe.
The winners were officially awarded during the SWITCH Award Ceremony on November 14, joining the network of experts, researchers, and community leaders working toward sustainable food systems across Europe.
On November 15, the journalists were joined by representatives from the scientific and institutional sectors, as well as PhD students from the University of Naples and the University of Campania, for the UN Food System Dialogue «Food, Culture, Community: A Living Heritage in the European Food Transition». The event brought together over 30 participants to discuss the potential of food systems to foster healthier and more sustainable Europe. The discussion focused on four key areas: Living heritage, Regenerative agriculture, Nutrition, and Blue foods.
The Dialogue emphasized the importance of cultural traditions, regenerative agriculture, nutrition literacy, and sustainable seafood in building a resilient future. Participants underlined the need to safeguard food heritage, support agroecological practices, educate the public about balanced diets, and improve access to reliable information to enable sustainable choices on a larger scale.
The SWITCH Journalism Award recognizes journalists and media professionals who have made remarkable contributions to raising awareness about the environmental, social, and health dimensions of food choices. By highlighting stories that connect food, culture, and sustainability, the award aims to empower informed citizens and accelerate Europe’s transition toward healthier, more resilient food systems.