From production to the plate: experience the future of the protein world
Questions around food security, economic viability, conservation, and how a transition to a more sustainable food system might be achieved remain at the forefront of global challenges today, and opinions on the matter often diverge strongly. This is especially true in Switzerland, where a string of popular initiatives have kept the agricultural and food industry on its toes, with the next vote due in September, fueling high polarisation on the topic. All the more reason to continue our event series promoting constructive dialogue among all actors along the agricultural value chain, from production to processing to consumption!
On 11 September, we invite you to go behind the scenes of one of Switzerland's most innovative organic companies for plant-based foods, Soyana, and to discuss together how these goals can be reconciled in practice.
Practical Info
Venue: Soyana, Zürcherstrasse 125, 8952 Schlieren
Time: 6:00-9:00 pm (doors open at 5:45 pm)
Price: CHF 20 (payable by Twint after registration), all-inclusive. You also get to take home the book «Organic - NonOrganic» (option to choose the German version, «Bio-Nicht Bio», original price CHF 29.80.
Shopping on-site: Those who wish can purchase Soyana foods at a reduced price afterwards (20% discount on purchases over 20 CHF) – cash only.
Getting there by public transport: Tram 2 or 20 to Gasometerbrücke stop (Schlieren), then approx. 200 m toward the railway tracks. Parking available on-site.
Availability for 50+ participants.
About Soyana
In 1981, A.W. Dänzer founded Soyana in Zurich as the first provider of a meat alternative in Switzerland. Today, this independent family business produces over 130 organic vegan foods at its facility in Schlieren-Zurich, and has been conducting food quality research in its own LifevisionLab since 1996. Soyana is no ordinary company: no shareholders, no punch cards: just vision, conviction, and a team that sees responsibility as a vocation.
Programme
18:00: Arrival & Welcome Reception with a glass of Chi-Kombucha-Live & welcome by Global Shapers Zürich.
18:15: Meditative Concert 15 minutes of inspiring, soulful music - the perfect way to ease into the evening.
18:30: Talk by founder A.W. Dänzer + Q&A Founder and visionary A.W. Dänzer speaks about 45 years of building a new food world, from research at the LifeVisionLab to concrete alternatives for meat, dairy and cheese, as described in his book «Organic or Non-Organic – The Invisible Force in Food»; with time for questions.
19:15: Factory Tour Guided walkthrough of the Soyana production facility.
19:45: Organic plant-based buffet & tasting
From 20:00: Table discussions in small groups
20:40: Closing & Takeaways A short collective reflection on the discussions & closing remarks
From 21:00: On-site shopping (optional) Take Soyana foods home directly (20% discount from CHF 20 on; only cash possible!) or order online. As a thank-you for signing up, you'll receive a 10% discount code for your first order at the Soyana online shop, shop.soyana.ch.
About the Organisers
Global Shapers Zurich is part of the worldwide Global Shapers Community, a network of over 11,000 young people in more than 500 cities who drive positive social change through local projects. The Zurich hub has around 30 active members and is currently developing projects in areas including social cohesion, sustainability, health, and education.
This event is part of the «Bridging the Divide» series
Global Shapers Zürich brings together actors across the Swiss food value chain, from farmers, foodtech players, researchers, consumers, to policymakers, to foster constructive dialogue rather than polarisation on food system questions.
🌾 2 July: Agriculture (Peter Fröhlich's farm, Niederhasli)
🏭 11 September: Processing & Consumption (Soyana, Schlieren - you're here today!)
🏛️ 29 October, 12.00-17.30: Policy & Food system overall (Juchhof, Zurich & Workshop at Soil to Soul Symposium at Karl der Grosse, Zurich)
Feel free to reach out via the registration form or at project-bridgingthedivide@globalshaperszurich.com if you have any questions!