Step inside Messecenter Herning, Denmark’s largest exhibition space and discover the sheer wealth and variety of Scandinavia’s food. This is Foodexpo, an exhibition lasting three days in March that brings together the biggest names in the food industry.

It’s an event that’s come to be known, among other things, for its size. For the last two decades, Foodexpo has been the largest food show for restaurants, hotels, retail, canteens, and other related industries in Scandinavia.

Every two years, it hosts over 20,000 visitors, who come to see the 500 or more food, hospitality, and technology brands who put on their show. Across the Messecenter’s ten halls, Foodexpo has a bit of everything—from Danish wine to kitchen equipment, from coffee machines to caviar, from workwear to industry software.

“We are happy about the great support from both new and well-known exhibitors and partners, and we are looking forward to bringing the entire food industry together again here in Herning,” says Carina Høgsted Kirkegaard, project manager at MCH A/S, which runs the show.

Yet this year is not just any other year in the fair’s history. In 2024, Foodexpo reaches an important milestone, as it celebrates its “10 fairs in 20 years” anniversary. Over such a long period, there’s no doubt that it’s become a real institution in the Scandinavian food industry.

Foodexpo turns toward sustainability

This year, though, there are changes afoot. For the first time, Foodexpo is focusing its events and efforts on the theme of sustainability—and for good reason. The food industry in Denmark contributes as much as 20% of the country’s overall carbon emissions. As such, it has an important role to play in reducing the impact of climate change.

So what’s in store at Foodexpo?

The theme of sustainability will infuse many of the year’s events. For instance, a whole hall—”Nature’s Pantry”—will be entirely dedicated to the theme. And that’s not all. More meat-free dishes will be on the menu at the show’s various restaurants, food waste will be collected and reused, and there will be a career day focusing on social responsibility for students in the industry.

Attendees can also expect seminars on sustainability. These will focus on the food industry’s impact and, more importantly, what it can do to navigate rising costs, comply with environmental regulation, and use less impactful processes during manufacturing and disposal. There’s a lot for attendees to learn.

Yet it’s the exhibitors that make Foodexpo so special—and they too will bring an emphasis on green and sustainable practices.

For instance, the fair will feature Greenway-Denmark, which focuses its work on making takeaway and disposable items and services more sustainable. At Foodexpo, the brand will be introducing a new product series that reduces raw material consumption by sixty percent and that can be fully recycled as paper.

The laundry brand, Textilia HoReCa will also be appearing. As well as being the premier provider of laundry services for the hospitality and food industry, Textilia is launching its seriously innovative service, upcy, at Foodexpo. In an inspiring example of the circular economy in the food industry, upcy takes the industry’s discarded textiles and transforms them into new chef’s jackets, waiters’ shirts, and aprons.

“Sustainability is also about people, about treating customers, suppliers and employees in a proper way,” says Greenway-Denmark’s CEO, Søren Andreassen.

“We are happy that Foodexpo is focusing on sustainability—it is necessary that we all get it under our skin.”

Søren Probst Jeberg, a partner at the food and waste logistics brand Biotrans, which will also be exhibiting at Foodexpo, agrees.

“I find it very positive that Foodexpo has chosen to dedicate an entire hall to sustainability,” he says.

“This initiative reflects the growing awareness within the industry of the importance of acting responsibly towards the environment. By focusing on sustainability, Foodexpo gives industry players the opportunity to share knowledge, inspire each other, and create a forum for discussion of innovative solutions. I look forward to seeing how this focus can inspire and influence the industry as a whole.”

Familiar features remain

Despite the 2024 fair’s new emphasis, it wouldn’t be Foodexpo without some familiar staples.

As past attendees will expect, this tenth edition of Foodexpo will offer places to eat, workshop areas, lectures and debates, and a large number of professional competitions. For instance, participants can win Foodexpo’s highly prestigious Chef of the Year and Waiter of the Year awards. And, as normal, the workwear fashion show will consist of two daily catwalks, where attendees can see uniforms for chefs, waiters, and more—all modelled at their very best.

There will also be an opportunity for smaller food producers to showcase their products. Attendees can be part of “Food Market”, the section of the fair dedicated to specialties and gastronomic products.

Foodexpo helps to support a vibrant present and future for the whole food industry. Because, ultimately, by providing a space for food professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and get inspired, that’s what Foodexpo is all about.