Sustainable Food Management

From the cultivation of tomato plants to processing and hygiene to the development of tomato sauce: on the Bachelor’s degree programme in Sustainable Food Management, you will learn everything about food production, food technologies and their scientific background – always with sustainability in mind.

The food management degree programme has its finger on the pulse of the times. The constant changes taking place in the food system (such as the climate crisis, food supply for the population, etc.) pose challenges for the entire industry: In this Bachelor’s degree programme, you will learn to look at food from all angles and can make a significant contribution to sustainability in food production through your comprehensive knowledge. The combination of theory and practice will provide you with a wide range of skills along the entire value chain.

You also have the opportunity to obtain the ‘Hygiene Manager’ and ‘ESG Manager’ (Environmental, Social, Governance) certificates in cooperation with Quality Austria during your studies. Your extensive knowledge will make you a sought-after employee in the food industry, which is one of the largest and most successful economic sectors in Austria. After completing your Bachelor’s degree, you can also apply for the Master’s programme in Food: Product and Process Development at FH JOANNEUM.

Find out more about career prospects after graduation.

This training programme focuses on ensuring the highest food quality from the perspective of sustainable and responsible production. You will learn to evaluate the overall process of the value chain and will be able to develop and optimally implement ideas and suggestions for improvement.
The course content includes essential scientific principles, sustainability and management skills as well as topics relating to food technology, production and the distribution of food. The following core topics are covered in detail in the programme:

• Scientific principles of food production
• Sustainability management including tracking and monitoring of sustainability goals, reporting and alternative food systems
• Production processes and planning
• Quality management and assurance
• Product development and automation
• Business administration and innovation management
• Food hygiene
• Circular economy

Scientific basics

• What are proteins?
• What are the chemical properties of an emulsifier?
• What all contributes to the shelf life of a product?

You will acquire sound scientific knowledge that is essential for sustainable food production. You will learn to understand the chemical properties of food, be familiar with analytical methods for analysing food and be able to apply sustainable cultivation methods. You will also develop a deep understanding of sensory analyses in order to comprehensively assess the quality and properties of food.

Sustainability and management

• How can resources be used optimally so that environmental impact is minimised?
• How can economic goals be achieved at the same time?
• How are sustainability reports created, evaluated and analysed?

This combination of knowledge and skills prepares you to make responsible decisions in the food industry and drive sustainable innovation. In various courses, you will acquire the necessary management skills and learn about key sustainability topics. You will learn how sustainable practices are implemented in food production and will be able to efficiently organise economic processes and develop sustainable strategies for responsible corporate management.

Food technology and production

• How are innovative production processes designed?
• How can environmentally friendly packaging solutions be developed?
• What is needed for smooth logistics?

Food technology and production are central topics of the degree programme. For example, you will learn how to design innovative production processes, develop environmentally friendly packaging solutions and ensure smooth logistics, thereby contributing to efficiency and sustainability in food production.

Practice

An important part of this degree programme is the combination of theory and practice. In addition to many practical laboratory exercises, there are also three practical phases in which you are free to choose the company where you do your internship. You can decide for yourself whether you want to spend several months at the same company or get to know different employers.
This gives you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with a wide range of career opportunities during your studies, pursue your own interests and build up a network for potential future jobs.
In addition, numerous excursions during the degree programme offer exciting insights into various companies in the food industry and thus potential future employers.