FoodNet

What FoodNet does

FoodNet is a nonprofit primary-prevention project for Eating Disorders (Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare, DCA) in children, operated since September 2017 under A.R.P. Associazione per la Ricerca in Psicologia clinica (founded in Milan over 30 years ago and recognized by MIUR as a research entity since 2012). It delivers structured school-based interventions targeting children aged 8–10 years, with subsequent extension into middle and high schools, designed to build awareness of the food–emotion connection as a protective factor against eating-disorder onset.

The core technology stack is a web portal (foodnet.it) that provides free expert consultations with response promised within 24 hours, a national mapping of public and private DCA treatment services ("DCA Services Mapping"), and an open archive of constantly updated thematic resources for parents, teachers, pediatricians, and families. Complementary offerings include the Food Diary activity (Il Diario Alimentare) for classroom use, structured teacher training programs, and periodic open consultation days (Porte Aperte) such as the national Fiocchetto Lilla Day. The proprietary intervention model is evidence-based and developed by a multidisciplinary team of 20+ clinical psychology professionals; in October 2024 FoodNet co-published national primary-prevention guidelines with Animenta.

The business model is entirely donation-funded: an initial grant from Fondazione Cariplo (September 2017) seeded the project, supplemented by municipal funding (7 Comuni del Golfo Paradiso), corporate-foundation grants (Fondazione CRT, Fondazione Cattolica Assicurazione, Reale Foundation, Fondazione Nord Milano), IBAN-based individual donations, the Italian 5x1000 tax designation directed to A.R.P. (tax code 09314880155), and crowdfunding campaigns amplified through media partnerships (e.g., Le Iene appeal, Wise Society). All services — school interventions, expert consultations, educational materials — are provided free of charge. Geographic reach is currently limited to three Northern Italian regions (Lombardy, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna), with documented impact across 11 schools and over 200 students to date.

Name

FoodNet

Legal name

A.R.P. Associazione per la Ricerca in Psicologia clinica

Website

https://foodnet.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FoodNet is a Milan-based nonprofit project, founded in 2017 under A.R.P. Associazione per la Ricerca in Psicologia clinica, that delivers free primary-prevention interventions against eating disorders (DCA) in Italian primary, middle, and high schools, complemented by a web portal offering expert consultations, a national DCA service-mapping locator, and published prevention guidelines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Prevention Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDALAFAH

Nutrition & Dietetics Services

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Student Health, Counseling & Wellness Services

SECONDARYHSADAFAM

Eating Disorder Recovery Nutrition Support

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Nutrition Coaching & Weight Management

SECONDARYHLAFACAK

Eating Disorder Treatment Programs

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment

Keywords

• Eating disorder prevention
• School-based interventions
• Clinical psychology programs
• Mental health awareness
• Teacher training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: FoodNet operates as a nonprofit project funded through donations from individuals and organizations. Donations can be made to the dedicated bank account (IBAN) with proceeds supporting the FoodNet project.
2. Institutional Grants: Initial funding received from Fondazione Cariplo in September 2017 to launch the project. Additional support from municipalities (7 Comuni del Golfo Paradiso) for school programs in Liguria.
3. 5x1000 Tax Donations: Italian taxpayers can direct 5x1000 of their tax contribution to A.R.P. Associazione per la Ricerca in Psicologia clinica (tax code 09314880155).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FoodNet is a primary prevention project for Eating Disorders (DCA) that delivers school-based interventions in Italian primary schools, teaching children aged 8-10 about the connection between food and emotions. The project operates a web portal offering free consultations with multidisciplinary professionals (psychologists, psychotherapists, endocrinologists, nutritionists), updated informational resources, and a territorial mapping of public and private services dedicated to eating disorder care across Italy.

Product overview

FoodNet is a primary prevention project for Eating Disorders (DCA/Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare) offered by A.R.P. Associazione per la Ricerca in Psicologia clinica. The core offering consists of school-based prevention interventions targeting children aged 8-10 years, complemented by a web portal providing free consultations with multidisciplinary professionals, thematic information resources, and a territory-wide mapping of DCA care services. Additional services include teacher training programs and periodic open days for awareness and free consultations. The project is not a technology platform but rather a service-based prevention program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School Intervention Programs Structured prevention interventions conducted directly in elementary, middle, and high schools by psychologists specialized in eating disorders. Includes creative materials and engaging activities adapted for children's age groups, targeting the food-emotion connection as a protective factor.
• Free Consultation Services Free consultations offered through the web portal with expert multidisciplinary professionals including psychologists, psychotherapists, endocrinologists, and nutritionists, with responses provided within 24 hours of request. Targeted at families, parents, teachers, and individuals seeking guidance on eating disorder concerns.
• DCA Services Mapping A territorial locator tool mapping public and private facilities dedicated to eating disorder care across Italy. Helps families, patients, and healthcare providers identify appropriate treatment services in their region.
• Teacher Training Programs Training programs for teachers on the FoodNet model of primary prevention for eating disorders, including presentation courses and specific training paths on managing DCA cases. Delivered in-person or via videoconference to educators across Italy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 students and 28 classes reached across 3 regions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mi Nutro di Vita ONLUScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Ligurian school programs. Mi Nutro di Vita (Pieve Ligure) promoted the project in Golfo Paradiso schools and helped coordinate 7 municipalities for the first Italian eating disorder prevention program in primary schools.
• AnimentacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with FoodNet to develop guidelines for primary prevention of eating disorders. Jointly produced a document defining useful guidelines for implementing primary prevention interventions.
• A.R.P. Associazione per la Ricerca in Psicologia clinicacoreOthersFoodNet is a project born and sustained by A.R.P. Association for Research in Clinical Psychology. A.R.P. was founded in Milan over 30 years ago and has been included among research entities admitted to MIUR benefits since 2012.
• Studio Medico Polispecialistico AlmaMedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Porte Aperte awareness day event. AlmaMed provided their facilities and endocrinologist-nutritionist staff for free consultations during the national Fiocchetto Lilla Day.
• Ordine degli Psicologi della LombardiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGranted patronage for FoodNet events and initiatives, providing professional recognition and credibility for the organization's activities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Butterfly Foundation: Butterfly Foundation is Australia's national eating disorders organization providing prevention education, helpline support, and treatment information. Directly comparable to FoodNet's combined education, consultation, and resource-mapping model.
• Associazione Mi Nutro di Vita ONLUS: Mi Nutro di Vita is a Pieve Ligure-based nonprofit that partnered with FoodNet to coordinate the first Italian ED prevention program in Golfo Paradiso primary schools. Comparable as an Italian peer operating regional school-based prevention initiatives.
• F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders): F.E.A.S.T. is an international nonprofit supporting families of people with eating disorders through education and advocacy. Comparable to FoodNet's focus on engaging parents, teachers, and community stakeholders as prevention partners around children.
• BEAT Eating Disorders: BEAT is the UK's leading eating disorder charity, offering helpline support, prevention resources, and advocacy. Comparable to FoodNet as a mission-aligned nonprofit delivering education, awareness, and referral support for those affected by eating disorders.
• NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association): NEDA is the largest US nonprofit dedicated to eating disorders, providing prevention education, helpline support, and resource navigation. It is a direct peer to FoodNet given the parallel mission of awareness, education, and referral services for individuals and families affected by eating disorders.
• AIDAP (Associazione Italiana Disturbi dell'Alimentazione e del Peso): AIDAP is the leading Italian scientific society focused on eating and weight disorders, working on research, clinical guidelines, and professional training. Comparable to FoodNet as a domestic peer addressing EDs in Italy with research-informed content.
• National Centre for Eating Disorders (NCFED): NCFED is a UK-based nonprofit providing training, supervision, and educational resources on eating disorders. Comparable to FoodNet's teacher training and professional development offering as a parallel nonprofit resource for clinicians and educators.
• ABA Onlus (Associazione per lo studio e la cura dell'Anoressia, della Bulimia e dei Disturbi Alimentari): ABA is an Italian nonprofit dedicated to the study and care of anorexia, bulimia, and eating disorders, offering family support and clinical resources. Comparable to FoodNet as a domestic peer providing community-based ED support in Italy.
• Animenta: Animenta is an Italian association that co-authored the 2024 primary prevention guidelines with FoodNet. It is a direct peer and close collaborator working on eating disorder awareness and policy in Italy.

Broad incumbents

• AED (Academy for Eating Disorders): AED is a global professional association advancing eating disorder research, treatment, and prevention. Comparable to FoodNet's evidence-based, clinician-led approach and is a relevant broader incumbent shaping the prevention agenda FoodNet contributes to.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/foodnet.dca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/progettofoodnet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about FoodNet