CREDA (the Center for Agro-Food Research and Development) is a private research foundation supported by two institutions: Catalonia Polytechnic University (UPC) and the Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology (IRTA). CREDA-UPC-IRTA was born out of the necessity for formalizing a public Catalan research and development body in the agro-food sector, unifying and strengthening R&D capabilities and making these capabilities available to government as well as public and private sectors. CREDA is a dynamic and reliable center comprised of a diverse and talented team of researchers, consultants, and technicians with backgrounds spanning economics, agricultural and forestry engineering, sociology, and environmental science. It is quickly becoming a reference center for ago-food economy and rural development both in Catalonia and internationally. Central themes of the research being conducted at CREDA include: • Assessment of consumer preferences and consumer behavior towards agricultural products • Development and improvement of agriculture and livestock competitiveness • Sustainability of food systems from a systemic perspective • Sustainable and innovative use of natural resources • Livelihood strategies and preferences of rural producers in the face of global change • Enhanced understanding of the numerous and complex interactions between society and the local territory CREDA operates at the crossroads of the public and private sectors, perfectly situated to act as a reliable agent in the transfer of relevant and accurate scientific information which will assist actors at all nodes of food value chains in making informed decisions.