This 9th International European forum (Igls-Forum) took place from 9 to 13 February, 2015, in Innsbruck-Igls, Austria. It was organized by the International Center for Food Chain and Network Research, University of Bonn and was endorsed by scientific associations including the EAAE, IFAMA, AIEA2, INFITA and CIGR. The forum focused on the interaction among food chain actors and between food chains and the political, economic, socio-cultural and natural environments as well as innovations for a sustainable food system. The specific themes discussed at the forum included topics ranging from transparency and sustainability, network and integration, food value chain performance to policy and markets.