Edible Futures – Designing veggie and fresh food services for the university

A workshop to design new sustainable food spaces and services on university campuses

The image depicts a cooking class or a gastronomic event held inside a spacious and bright workshop. At the center of the scene, two chefs in white uniforms work behind a large wooden table, surrounded by a group of people observing the preparation closely, while other participants are seated along the tables ready for a tasting. The setting is equipped with wire shelving units, a professional kitchen in the background, and fresh ingredients laid out on the workspace, creating a convivial and educational atmosphere.

As part of the experimental initiatives connected to the European project ONFOODS (FAI_FRU | Spoke 1) – Research and Innovation Network on Food and Nutrition Sustainability, Safety, and Security (PNRR), the Department of Design and the School of Design at Politecnico di Milano, in collaboration with Aimo e Nadia group, organized the workshop Edible Futures – Designing Veggie and Fresh Food Services for the University. The initiative aimed to promote sustainable, creative, and accessible food practices while exploring new solutions for integrating fresh, local, and plant-based products into the services and spaces of Politecnico di Milano. The workshop took place at the Circular Food System Lab, located on the Bovisa – Candiani campus, and involved 15 selected students from the different Schools of Politecnico di Milano, along with professors and researchers from the Department of Design. The students worked closely with chefs Fabio Pisani and Alessandro Negrini, who guided them through preparation sessions and design discussions.

This educational and hands-on experience centered around iconic dishes from “Aimo e Nadia Milano,” enabled a constructive dialogue aimed at promoting a conscious, sustainable, and plant-oriented food culture, capable of positively influencing the habits and spaces of the academic community. The experimentation is part of a shared vision that aspires for healthy eating based on quality, seasonality, and respect for plant-based ingredients.