Courses & Seminars

Understanding the Food Consumer
MKGS31215 - CRN113

To provide a reading frame and the tools to better analyze the postmodern Food Consumers, and beyond, to understand the global consumption drivers and matrix. Through the example of food, we propose to teach the fundamentals of anthropology. The “consumercook-eater-citizen” evolves in a system of meanings that must be unraveled in order to reveal the motivations behind his or her actions.

Food Concept Creative Workshop
MKGS31301 - CRN40

This one-week workshop addresses every year a different theme that is at the crossroads of multiple challenges of the agri-food ecosystem. The last edition focused on the theme “Food for Travelers” combining the issues of mobility and food. Yet, fulfilling the very specific needs of travelers in highly-constrained environment is a multi-dimensional challenge, in terms of operations, design, environment, cuisine, culture, nutrition, or public health. Students are invited to imagine new concepts, in response to real-life problems shared by the workshop corporate partners: Air France, Servair, Vinci Airports, RATP Travel Retail, Lagardère Travel Retail, Altarea, SSP Group.  

Agri-Food Sustainable Development 

MGTS31401 - CRN 82

The course tries to answer the following question: can the Agfood companies “do well (profit) by doing good (to the people, to the planet)? Can sustainable development initiatives become a source of competitive advantage?   

The World of Food Challenges

MKGS31431 - CRN 151

The aim of this seminar is to introduce students to the value chain of the agri-food industry, from the field to the fork. To achieve this, the seminar is organized into masterclasses, each led by speakers from companies covering the entire sector: upstream agriculture, the food industry, retailers, start-ups, specialized consulting firms, etc. In 2025, we welcomed AVRIL Group, Bel Group, Nestlé France, McCain, Swap, Yumgo, Monoprix and Circana. Each masterclass provides an opportunity to discuss the challenges faced and the actions taken to prepare for the future.

Students work in teams on a business case proposed by one of the companies taking part in the seminar. The business case focuses on a transition challenge shared by the various players in the agri-food industry. In 2025, students had to build propositions for MONOPRIX on How to boost plant-based categories?

For 2026, we have chosen to work on a key issue for the future of food: how can we develop and promote the transition to regenerative agriculture?

Insights on Food Challenges
MKGS31441 - CRN 120

Through actual case studies presented and led by senior managers,

chair students will work on the main challenges facing companies in

the food industry, whether strategic or operational, impacting different

areas of activities: CSR, marketing and communication, supply chain

and data management, etc. Case studies will be designed by ESSEC

professors along with partner company executives.