Rene G Thorndike Limonta’s Post

Ever heard of a food systems approach? It's all about understanding how everything in our food world is connected! From how food is grown, to how it's distributed, eaten, and even wasted, it's all intertwined. The food systems approach involves everyone - farmers, chefs, policymakers, and of course, us as consumers! By looking at the big picture, policymakers can create better policies that cover everything from supporting farmers to promoting healthy eating. This June, #FeedTheChange and #useyourvote for a future of food in the EU that's fair, sustainable, and transparent! 👉 How? 💡 Be informed! Read our new article here https://lnkd.in/d7ePkaps 💻 Stay tuned for more critical analysis 📣 Support our demands ahead of the #EUelections2024 at https://lnkd.in/dsidvA7d

Policy Brief: It's no secret the current crisis in our food system and societal structure is the result of interconnected patterns of change in food production, consumption, and societal values. These patterns have led to widespread hunger, food waste, obesity, broken families, and fragmented communities, primarily driven by economic motivations that prioritize profit over health and sustainability. This brief outlines the historical shifts that. The post-war era marked a significant shift towards consumerism and convenience, leading to the rise of fast food and processed foods, along with aggressive marketing strategies targeting vulnerable populations. Subsidies for crops like corn and soy have led to an oversupply of these commodities, fuelling the production of cheap processed foods and contributing to a diet that underpins the obesity epidemic and related health issues. Rapid urbanization and changes in lifestyles, including the rise of dual-income households, have reduced time for cooking and communal meals, increasing reliance on fast food. The business models of fast food restaurants and junk food manufacturers, which prioritize minimizing production costs, have made unhealthy food options more accessible and affordable than healthier alternatives. The accessibility and marketing of unhealthy foods have contributed to the global obesity epidemic and associated health issues, disproportionately affecting lower-income communities. The focus on aesthetics and overproduction for profit maximization has resulted in massive food waste, contributing to environmental degradation and hunger. Fractured Communities and Families: The decline in home-cooked meals and communal dining has negatively impacted the social fabric of communities and family dynamics. Profit Over People: The food industry's emphasis on profit margins often comes at the expense of fair wages for workers and prioritizes cheap, addictive food production over nutritious options. Shift subsidies towards crops that support healthy food production, making nutritious foods more accessible and affordable. Invest in education on nutrition, cooking skills, and the environmental impact of food choices to empower healthier decisions. Encourage the development of local food systems and sustainable agriculture practices to reduce food waste, support community health, and minimize environmental impact. Advocate for fair wages and working conditions in the food industry to address economic disparities and ensure a more equitable food system. Let's Introduce transparent contracts that can be reviewed by third parties to ensure farmers are not pressured into accepting below fair farm gate prices due to cosmetic standards. This will help reduce food waste and ensure fair compensation. By addressing the historical shifts and their impacts, and implementing the proposed policy changes, we can begin to rectify the fundamental issues within our food system. Do it.

The role of food in health and education outcomes is undeniable and the need to shift diets to achieve climate and sustainability goals widely acknowledged. The drumbeat for public procurement of food for schools, hospitals, care homes etc. to lead this charge has been growing louder for several years. Driven by great campaigning and policy work from the likes of The Food Foundation , Henry Dimbleby , Food for Life, and Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming, there is now a wealth of evidence for the social and environmental benefits of cooked meals, wholefood ingredients and short supply chains, together with clear and actionable recommendations for the policies required to redirect public sector catering towards these goals. For too long this evidence base and playbook has not translated into action, so it's incredibly exciting to see Crown Commercial Service go live today with Dynamic Food Procurement. Delivered through Entegra and with Agile Chain technology from Equilibrium Markets Ltd at its heart, this agreement covering £100m of public sector food spend will simplify food procurement through collective purchasing and shorter supply chains and reduce climate impact. The team at Net Zero Now are thrilled to be working on this breakthrough project to track the carbon impact of food served through the value chain from farm to fork and to support identification of reduction opportunities.

Such a great graphic to remind us of easy ways to reduce our carbon footprint - look at the food you are buying and where you are buying it from! thanks to Emma (Em) V. for posting and to Emma Burlow for being such a leader in this space! An interesting post too for Planet Ark Environmental Foundation folks :) #reducefoodmiles #foodwaste #supplychains

Here's an academic paper with real relevance for #food and drink #marketers ... particularly in terms of the link between consumer trust and open-ness to innovation. While this makes intuitive sense, it's not necessarily that well understood or always applied in marketing. https://lnkd.in/ebKXxkmV

🍎 🥑 Food supply chains have become pretty complicated, often involving many middlemen before food reaches us. While this extensive network supports global trade, here's why it is worth going local. ✅ By cutting down the length of the food supply chain, we can significantly boost food quality and freshness. According to WRAP, food in the UK travels about 600 miles on average. This long journey can degrade the nutritional value and taste of our food. Local sourcing reduces the time from farm to fork, ensuring that our food is fresher and more nutritious. ✅ Studies show that fruits and veggies lose 30-50% of their nutrients within a week of harvesting. Sourcing locally helps preserve their nutritional value and taste. ✅ Environmental sustainability is another big plus of shortening the food supply chain. Transport accounts for about 27% of the UK's total emissions, according to BEIS, and food transportation contributes a lot to this. ✅ A University of Exeter study found that locally grown produce can cut transportation-related emissions by up to 5%. ✅ Shortening the food supply chain also supports local economies. Buying local keeps money within the community and supports regional farmers and businesses. The New Economics Foundation says money spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy compared to supermarket chains. This local spending creates jobs in farming, food processing, and distribution, contributing to a stronger local economy. ✅ Transparency and trust in the food system are enhanced when the supply chain is shorter. Consumers can trace their food back to its source, boosting confidence in its quality and safety. Local producers are often more accountable to their customers, leading to higher standards. The Soil Association reports that consumers who buy directly from local farmers have greater trust in their food sources. On the flip side, long food supply chains involve more intermediaries, increasing costs and the risk of malpractices. Each intermediary adds a markup, leading to higher costs for us. Plus, the complexity of longer supply chains can hide unethical practices, like poor working conditions. The Food Ethics Council highlights that food fraud and mislabeling are more common in extended supply chains, compromising food integrity and trust. Picture - Waste-Ed 📌 Follow me at Tamma Carel for more such posts around nature, sustainability and environmental legislation and compliance.

#LinearGrowth📶. #SystemicGrowth🛜 #Toxicity ♾️ #Homeostasys🌀 #StatusQuo🛐. #Innovation🧬 #Crisis☠️. #Oppottunity🌱 #Revolution🦾. #Evolution🌳🌴🌵🌲 #society 👑 #community🌎 When hell is other people —> #scarcity When help is other people —> #abundance The difference? how we approach #change

Im excited to share our recent publication (myself and Prof Progress Hove-Sibanda) with the Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management https://lnkd.in/gPAm_d8N Title: Exploring sustainable food supply chain management practices to enhance food security Abstract Background: The food industry faces longstanding challenges in meeting sustainability practices within its supply chain, often prioritising commercial obligations and profit motives. However, there is a growing recognition of the critical role that sustainable food supply chain management (SFSCM) practices play in enhancing food security. Objectives: This study aims to establish the significance of SFSCM practices in enhancing food security. Furthermore, the study explores approaches to reduce challenges against implementation of SFSCM practices. Method: The study employed a qualitative approach and used stratified and purposive sampling techniques to interview 22 participants from a population of 9 gatekeeper institutions within the Zimbabwean food industry. Results: The findings highlighted several essential SFSCM practices covering waste management, logistics optimisation, water and energy conservation, employing qualified individuals, carbon emission reduction, corporate social responsibility, cost reduction, pricing efficiency, fair food distribution and continuous consumer taste surveys. Approaches to reduce SFSCM implementation challenges were also identified, and these include stakeholder communication plans, capacity building programmes, integrating sustainability into mission statements, budget allocation, lobbying for government support, and fostering collaborative engagements. Open information sharing was also emphasised. Conclusion: It is concluded that the adoption of identified SFSCM practices by food producers, intermediaries, suppliers, consumers and other stakeholders can significantly enhance food security and minimise hunger in nations. Contribution: This article contributes to the understanding of addressing SFSCM implementation challenges and provides valuable insights into the importance of sustainable practices in improving food security within the Zimbabwean food industry and the world at large.

Supply chain..... I talk about the supply chain and its lack of transparency daily. Logistics, materials, and consumer journeys are all critical factors. Regarding food supply, I learnt a great deal from the Lighthouse Sustainability Ltd Carbon Literacy course, which then furthered this enquiring mind of mine. This graphic helps highlight what we often forget: Everything we purchase and consume starts its journey somewhere. I mean, how many bananas have you seen growing in the UK? Your daily smoothie may have more of an impact than you think. #journey #supplychain #food #sustainableliving If you are interested, it is worthwhile looking at the The Carbon Literacy Project and those that train: Emma Burlow Farah Lodhi Jen Gale Heather Eales

Shortening the food supply chain can reduce food loss, increase sustainability gains and economic activity. The PLEDGE™ on Food Waste Jordann Norbert Sian Young Vojtech Vegh Worldchefs - World Association of Chefs' Societies Risha Alleyne #foodchain #foodsupply #foodsystem #sustainability #agriculture #foodwaste #restaurants #foodservice #hospitality