Nestlé: over 15,000 attendees at ReNest – food inspires a manifesto for more mindful consumption
Over 15,000 attendees, more than 40 panel discussions, 120 guided tours and over 50 on-stage presentations. These are the figures as ReNest draws to a close. From roots to the future. A journey into food, the project promoted by the Nestlé Group in Italia, under the patronage of the City of Milan and Assolombarda, which from 12 to 24 May transformed Piazza Elsa Morante, at CityLife, into an experiential space dedicated to the future of food.
The initiative brought often complex issues such as sustainability, food waste, regenerative agriculture, supply chains and circularity to the heart of the city, seeking to explain them in accessible terms through interactive installations, workshops, cookery demonstrations, meetings and discussions with members of the public, experts, businesses and institutions. At the heart of the initiative was ‘Il Nido’ – a nod to Nestlé’s historic symbol – designed as a space for listening and participation to foster greater awareness of the value of food.
From the event to the poster
However, the conclusion of the initiative is not the end of the story. ReNest has in fact given rise to the ‘ReNest Yourself’ manifesto, an invitation to take the lessons learnt from the Milanese experience — into our homes, schools, workplaces and cities — and apply a fresh focus on food, resources and everyday behaviour.
The aim is to shift the focus from the product to the system. As the manifesto points out, every food product is the result of supply chains, regions, ingredients, expertise, people, and both industrial and individual choices. Hence the need to make information on nutrition, sustainability, regeneration and circularity more accessible, ensuring that these topics are not confined solely to industry professionals.
Understanding the future of food also means being able to navigate data, messages and sources, moving beyond oversimplifications and false myths. The manifesto thus highlights the need to cultivate a more informed and critical perspective on the links between production, consumption, waste, well-being and the environment.
