Sustainable Food Practices

The future of our food system sustainability is being developed at the convergence of biology, human innovation, artificial intelligence - and hundreds of millions of bugs! Nature's most efficient protein factories have been hiding in plain sight. While we've been debating sustainable food futures, black soldier flies have been quietly demonstrating how to create abundance from what we've overlooked. I visited the Innovafeed facility in Nesle, France with Mathilde Barge to explore how AI is helping reshape our core food systems. Innovafeed has built something remarkable: a system where these flies - with metabolism 25x more efficient than cattle - transform agricultural by-products into high-quality protein and oils. These ingredients replace resource-intensive fishmeal and fish oil in aquaculture and animal feed, addressing our protein challenge without requiring additional farmland, driving deforestation, or depleting oceans. AI systems continuously analyze millions of data points across their facility, predicting growth patterns and optimizing conditions in real-time. It's running today and producing nutrition with 80% less carbon impact than conventional methods. When we talk about sustainability, we often frame it as a sacrifice. This approach reveals the opposite: abundance through smarter systems. Using technology not to extract more from our world, but to create regenerative loops where outputs become inputs. And it's proof that transformative AI doesn't only emerge from Silicon Valley, but often in unexpected sectors like agriculture where practical problems demand inventive solutions. The technologies pioneered in these unlikely places - where insects meet algorithms - will ultimately reshape how we feed our planet. The future belongs to those who see possibility in what others have overlooked. My gratitude to CEO Clément Ray for the warm welcome at the factory and to Nadège AUDIFFREN and Enzo Ballestra, for making this insightful visit possible! #CircularEconomy #FoodSystems #SustainableInnovation #AI #FutureFarming The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation

Did you know that 80% of a company’s environmental impact comes from its supply chain? What is your company doing about it?   Let me tell you a story about a company struggling with inefficiencies in its supply chain.   They were focused solely on cost-cutting and speed, often at the expense of environmental and social responsibility. Waste was high, energy usage was through the roof, and employee morale was low.   They didn’t measure their impact because, frankly, they didn’t think it mattered. Sound familiar?   But today. That same company has transformed its approach. They started by measuring their carbon footprint, energy use, and waste.   They implemented scorecards for suppliers, focusing on sustainability metrics like carbon emissions, labor practices, and community engagement.   They even partnered with other companies to share resources and knowledge.   The result?   1️⃣ A 30% reduction in energy costs. 2️⃣ A 20% increase in employee satisfaction. 3️⃣ A stronger, more resilient supply chain.   This isn’t just their story it’s the future of supply chains everywhere.   Here’s how you can start making a difference, no matter where you are in your career:   ✅ Understand Your Supply Chain. ✅ Measure What Matters. ✅ Build Transparency. ✅ Collaborate. ✅ Think Long-Term.   Why does this matter?   Because sustainability isn’t just a buzzword it’s the future of business.   Companies like Walmart and GE are already demanding sustainability metrics from their suppliers those who don’t adapt risk being left behind.   But here’s the thing:   sustainability isn’t just about compliance or competition. It’s about creating a world where businesses thrive because they care about the planet, their people, and their communities.   So,   What’s one small step you can take today to make your supply chain more sustainable?   ♻️ Repost if you found this insightful!   #Sustainability #SupplyChain

The future of food is here. And no, it’s not just about what's on your plate. It’s about how it gets there. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming the CPG industry by driving efficiency, innovation, and sustainability at scale. Here’s how: 1/ Efficiency Redefined By 2024, AI is expected to boost revenues by 10% and reduce costs by 11% for CPG companies. (Source: ZIPDO) Companies are achieving forecast accuracy improvements of up to 60%, optimizing inventory and slashing waste. (Source: ZIPDO) AI-driven demand forecasting aligns production schedules with consumer demand, minimizing overproduction. (Source: CAS) 2/ Innovation at Its Best Mondelez International uses AI to accelerate snack recipe creation, cutting development time and reducing unnecessary taste tests. (Source: Mid-Day) AI-powered product insights have improved innovation success rates by up to 80%, allowing companies to meet real consumer preferences. (Source: ZIPDO) 3/ Sustainability That Matters AI enhances predictive analytics, helping food companies reduce waste and prevent overproduction. (Source: CAS) Tools like SwagBot, developed by the University of Sydney, improve cattle farming efficiency and sustainability by preventing overgrazing. (Source: AP News) 📌 Real-World Impact: Brisbane-based Priestley's Gourmet Delights launched a $53M AI-powered smart factory, using real-time data to streamline processes and drive growth. (Source: The Australian) AI is creating a smarter, cleaner, and more innovative industry. For leaders in CPG: Adopting AI isn’t optional—it’s essential. How is your organization leveraging AI to innovate and build a sustainable future? Let’s discuss. 🚀 #CPG #AI #FMCG #CPGTrends #Headhunting

Your supply chain is more fragile than you think. And it’s not just because of: • Labor shortages • Transportation issues • Geopolitical tensions It’s because the ecosystems that power your business are collapsing. • 75% of food crops rely on pollinators • 23% decline in global agricultural yields • $540B in yearly pest control losses • Species extinction 1000x faster than the natural rate In other words? Your costs are about to skyrocket. Big brands are already feeling the heat: • Unilever: Supply disruptions from pollinator loss • Coca-Cola: Plant closures due to water scarcity • Coffee Industry: Shrinking growing regions • Pharma: Losing new drug sources But there’s an opportunity here… Smart businesses are turning this crisis into an advantage: 1. Supply Chain Revolution • Map biodiversity dependencies • Embrace regenerative sourcing • Diversify ecosystem suppliers 2. Risk Management • Run impact assessments • Launch restoration programs • Partner with conservation experts 3. Innovation • Develop nature-based solutions • Create eco-positive products • Leverage biomimicry Leading companies making it work: • Nestlé: 40% less crop failure • Patagonia: 2x supplier resilience • L’Oréal: Secured rare ingredients • Interface: 20% material cost reduction Your Next Steps: 1. Map ecosystem dependencies 2. Set biodiversity goals 3. Measure impact 4. Engage suppliers 5. Join industry initiatives The companies that understand this will dominate. The rest? They’ll be left behind. With purpose and impact, Mario

What if the key to achieving our global sustainability goals isn’t just more renewable energy or circular economy practices but the criticality of deploying AI, too? A new 2025 study published in Nature reveals that AI investment is a powerful accelerator for UN Sustainable Development Goals in the US. Here’s what every supply chain and sustainability leader needs to know: 1) AI drives measurable sustainability progress: Every 1% increase in AI investment correlates with a 0.26% improvement in SDG performance, proving technology can be a force multiplier for environmental and social impact. 2) Green electricity amplifies results: The study confirms that renewable energy and AI create a powerful synergy effect, with both factors independently boosting sustainability outcomes. 3) Economic growth paradox: Traditional GDP growth actually negatively impacts SDG scores, highlighting why we need smarter, not just bigger, economic models. 4) Innovation over expansion: The research validates that strategic technology investments outperform pure economic expansion for sustainable development. Supply Chain Implications: From my perspective leading supply chain transformation, this research validates what we’re seeing in practice: - Precision agriculture powered by AI is revolutionizing food system sustainability - Smart energy grids are optimizing renewable resource allocation - Predictive analytics in healthcare is improving access and outcomes - Supply chain optimization is reducing waste and emissions at scale The Critical Caveat: The study emphasizes that AI’s sustainability impact depends ENTIRELY on responsible deployment. What does that mean? -Robust data infrastructure -Ethical oversight frameworks -Equitable access to benefits -Strong governance structures Bottom Line for Leaders: This isn’t about choosing between profit and planet. It’s about leveraging intelligent technology to achieve both. Companies investing in AI for sustainability aren’t just future proofing their operations. They’re actively contributing to global development goals. How is your organization balancing AI innovation with sustainability objectives? What barriers are you encountering? I hope you find this research and perspective useful.

How do we cut emissions from agricultural supply chains? TechnoServe reviewed years of work with smallholder farmers supplying to food/beverage companies and came up with 5 key recommendations: 1.) Focus on where the carbon case is strongest  2.) Find a Regenerative champion at the top 3.) Use an adaptive, phased approach to regenerative transformation 4.) Understand farmer motivations and create/align incentives 5.) Scale beyond your individual supply chain For instance, for #4: We developed a program where coffee farmers could “win” important farm tools based on the number of coffee trees they stumped (a practice that reduces tree productivity in the short term but greatly increases it in the long term). →Result: This approach tripled the percentage of farmers who stumped their trees and doubled the numbers of trees stumped on each farm. Check out our new guide below. Let us know what you think, and any ideas from your own work! Katarina Kahlmann - Jonathan Barnow - Tony Siantonas

What do Walmart and Unilever have in common?  Both companies have been able to reimagine sustainable supply chains and leverage them to drive business results.      Walmart’s Project Gigaton has cut over 230 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions through collaboration with 2,300 suppliers. Unilever, with its Sustainable Living Plan, invests in regenerative agriculture and partners with small-hold farmers to both mitigate risks and unlock new business opportunities.  But it’s not just the big players who benefit. As someone working closely with organizations to streamline their supply chains, I have witnessed first-hand how every business can gain from rethinking its supply chain sustainability. Here’s how:     1. Risk Mitigation: A sustainable supply chain can help businesses preemptively address vulnerabilities, like resource scarcity, regulatory changes, or global disruptions. By working closely with suppliers and supporting their capacity building, companies can reduce risks that would otherwise threaten the continuity of their operations.     2. Cost Efficiency: Sustainable supply chains reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and minimize unnecessary costs. This isn't just theory—businesses that adopt these practices report significant savings.     3. Supplier Empowerment: Empowering your suppliers to adopt sustainable practices strengthens their operations and fortifies your entire value chain. Building capacity among suppliers ensures more reliable, ethical, and resilient relationships.      4. Innovation and New Opportunities: Sustainability drives innovation. When companies focus on reducing waste or rethinking processes, they uncover creative solutions that can open new markets and improve product design.     Sustainability isn’t just a trend—if you're serious about staying competitive in a changing world, it's time to reimagine your supply chain.       #Sustainability #SupplyChain #ESG #BusinessResilience 

As the agriculture industry shifts towards sustainability, incentivizing this transition is key to driving meaningful changes in both supply chains and the environment. For the AcresUSA September issue of Acres Magazine, I explore how regenerative practices can not only enhance environmental quality and soil carbon stocks but also transform supply chains as a whole: https://lnkd.in/gKqkH7BS. In addition to increasing per-acre profits by decreasing inputs and diversifying income streams, offering market incentives through certifications, such as Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) or Regenified, can encourage wider adoption of practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, reduced tillage, and livestock integration. Key Takeaways: 🌱 Economic and Environmental Benefits: Adopting regenerative practices leads to reduced input costs, improved crop yields, and strengthened brand reputation, ensuring both the economic viability and environmental sustainability of supply chains. 🏷️ Incentivizing Regenerative Practices: Certifications such as ROC and EOV play a crucial role in encouraging producers to adopt sustainable farming methods by providing access to premium markets and higher price points. 🌍 Soil Carbon and Supply Chains: Increasing soil carbon through regenerative practices directly impacts supply chains by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural products from farm to consumer. 💰 Premium Pricing and Profitability: Farmers who embrace regenerative practices can command higher prices for their products—up to 30% more for regeneratively farmed goods—while also seeing a 20-30% increase in profitability over five years. By linking soil health to supply chain sustainability, regenerative agriculture offers a critical pathway to creating resilient, profitable, and environmentally sound food systems for the future. I hope you find the information useful! Check out this and other articles at www.acresusa.com #supplychains #soilcarbon #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #environmentalquality #whyward