The Blue Salon
The Blue Salon is an initiative of Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung. As the host of this series, the foundation creates a space for in-depth discussion of the future of the food system. The focus is on connection, listening, and the shared search for direction.
The First Blue Salon:
June 24–25, 2026
Heinersreuther Hof in Heinersreuth/Ködnitz near Kulmbach
The Blue Salon
This initiative brings together selected voices from various sectors of the food system—including science, agriculture, processing, retail, consulting, education, and culture. The group is intentionally kept small to facilitate personal interaction, focused discussions, and collaborative work.
From the podcast to the meeting
The Blue Salon brings together people who address the challenges of the food system from different perspectives.
It originated from the audio documentary “Blaues Brot” —an initiative of Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung, supported by the Bavarian Nutrition Cluster, and implemented in 2025 in collaboration with R2G.
In the Blue Salon, these conversations take the form of personal encounters and collaborative work: focused, curated, and intentionally kept on a small scale.
"Blue Bread" Podcast
The most comprehensive audio documentary on the food system nibbles its way along the value chain through the status quo, visions and the way there.
Nutrition Cluster at the Center of Excellence for Nutrition
As a networking platform for the Bavarian food industry, the Bavarian Food Cluster brings together diverse perspectives and fosters dialogue on future-oriented issues facing the food system.
What drives us
We know what needs to be done. So why aren't we doing it? And what systemic changes are needed to make it happen?
Many of the challenges facing the food system are well known. There is also rarely a shortage of knowledge, perspectives, and potential solutions.
However, it often remains unclear why necessary changes are so difficult to implement, despite the available evidence.
The Blue Salon steps in where knowledge alone is not enough: by fostering shared understanding, exploring different perspectives, and determining which approaches are truly viable.
Form of cooperation
The focus is on collaborative decision-making, in-depth discussions, and addressing key challenges within the food system.
The Blue Salon does not follow a traditional conference format. The goal is not to create the largest possible stage, but rather to provide a setting that fosters trust, focus, and genuine discussion.
Disagreements may remain visible if they contribute to a shared understanding.
The town
The location was chosen deliberately: stepping away from everyday life creates space for focused interaction and a different kind of conversation. Arriving as individuals, sharing meals, and working together go hand in hand, forming the framework for exchange, trust, and deeper engagement with the subject matter.
Further ideas
The Blue Salon will give rise to an audio journal as well as a compilation of key issues, perspectives, and ideas.
Additional content, impressions, and results will be added after the event.