What are the Benefits of Food Sustainability?

  • Jul 12, 2022

The global population is expected to rise to 9.1 billion by 20501, so it’s crucial that we adopt farming and production practices that ensure a stable and sustainable food supply for the future. Most commercial food producers use industrialized agriculture and processing methods for large-scale food production, often causing an adverse social, economic, or environmental impact.
 
Join us as we explore the ethos of food sustainability and how the food and beverage industry can drive more sustainable, farm-to-table food systems.
 
Why is Sustainable Food Production Important?
Sustainable food production prioritizes social and environmental responsibility, holding each link of the food supply chain accountable for its impact on local economies, communities, and ecosystems. A sustainable food source does not deplete natural resources, destroy biodiversity, contribute to poverty, or pollute the planet.
 
Sustainable food production is circular – it requires mutual respect between producers and consumers, empowering each community that plays a role in food production. The collaborative goal is to find farming, production, and distribution methods that will remain viable for years to come, eliminating food insecurity.
 
Who Benefits From Sustainable Food Production?

  • The community
    The UN estimates that nearly 193 million people2 worldwide suffer from severe food insecurity. Sustainable food production ensures fair compensation for farm workers, allowing them to purchase and consume more nutrient-dense foods. Teaching people to grow food at home is also a sustainable way to combat hunger and malnutrition.
  • The economy
    Stakeholders distribute the profits equally along a sustainable food supply chain, increasing financial stability for farm and factory workers, distributors, and small-scale grocers. Increased income injects money into local economies, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and improving overall wellbeing.
  • The planet
    The global food system accounts for 21 – 37% of yearly greenhouse gas emissions3. Switching to sustainable farming practices can help reduce air, water, and soil pollution and protect the biodiversity that sustains human life. Combating climate change through sustainable food production decreases extreme weather, often leading to food insecurity.

 
How To Produce More Sustainable Food Products
While sustainable food production looks good on paper, it’s not always practical for consumers to choose sustainable food over conventional alternatives. The food and beverage industry must drive the farm-to-table movement to create tangible change. Here are some ways to make food products more sustainable:

  • Invest in agricultural technology
    Technology such as robotic seeders, soil nutrient sensors, drones that monitor crop health, and predictive soil analytics can help farmers increase their crop yield while protecting soil fertility and preventing erosion.
  • Support certified-organic suppliers
    Using USDA-certified organic ingredients and additives in processed food ensures your products do not contribute to water pollution through synthetic pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals are toxic to marine life and removing them from your supply chain helps conserve ocean biodiversity and air quality.
  • Reduce food waste
    Americans throw out 103 million tons4 of food every year. Formulating food to extend its shelf-life and using functional packaging that protects perishable items can help reduce food waste. Donating surplus food to impoverished communities and supporting suppliers that do the same promotes food security.

 
Advanced Biotech supplies high-quality flavors and aromatics to the food and beverage industry. We are passionate about sharing our industry knowledge to promote more sustainable food production for a food-secure future. Please contact us for more information.

1 https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/wsfs/docs/expert_paper/How_to_Feed_the_World_in_2050.pdf
2 https://www.fao.org/3/cb9997en/cb9997en.pdf
3 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2020.518039/full
4 https://earth.org/food-waste-in-america/