Whether it’s a smallholder farm or industrial scale operation, the food industry and supply chain play a critical role in dictating the trajectory of agricultural development. Companies are recognizing the business case for sustainability – how land degradation, climate change, and poor use of natural resources poses a threat to the long-term viability of their business. And those companies are beginning to embrace sustainable practices along the entire value chain – from improving production practices in the field to reducing waste in the household. A special Rio+20 issue of Green Futures magazine on Food for the Future brings in different perspectives on how to achieve a sustainable food industry, highlighting some of the efforts already underway by industry players.
The report showcases six examples of initiatives by the leading global food companies attempting the move towards more sustainable production. For example, Cadbury has launched the Cocoa Partnership to promote sustainable production and livelihoods, and the Dairy Milk line has recently transitioned to Fair Trade. Commitments to sustainability from a company with such a broad reach as Cadbury (now owned by food giant Kraft) can potentially yield environmental and social benefits at a considerable scale. The Landscapes Blog will spend this week exploring the business side of sustainable food systems, and how they can achieve multiple benefits for people, food, and nature.
Read the full issue: Food for the Future.
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