WASTE NOT -
From cups and straws to the over 300 million gallons of beer expected to be drunk in the US this weekend, companies are stepping up with innovative solutions to rein in the fallout from one of our most wasteful celebration days of the year.
WALKING THE TALK -
Bringing new gravitas to the term, ‘purpose-driven,’ the team behind Colive is using their uniquely delicious olive oil to help end the civil unrest that has divided their native Cyprus since the 1970s — and exemplify the benefits of social entrepreneurship and peace through cooperation.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
In Hellman’s newest Super Bowl spot, former football player and current coach, Jerod Mayo, shows would-be home food-wasters how they can ‘make taste, not waste.’
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Journey Foods is on a mission to transform our food system, one product at a time. Its database of over 17B data points on millions of food products and ingredients is helping companies optimize the complete lifecycle of products, from ideation to market.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
As I write this, we are anxiously awaiting the US Senate to pass President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation. It’s important that this passes, as it calls for the continuation of the Child Tax Credit program that has been instrumental in helping US families rise out of poverty.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The startups and NGOs have won the inaugural Seeding the Future Global Food System Challenge, from the Institute of Food Technologists, aimed at scaling innovations that will help transform the food system.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Driscoll’s leads the produce industry in increasing the circularity of packaging and landfill diversion of agricultural plastics. It’s the first berry company to make public commitments and inject serious funding into innovation — with a goal to create economies of scale.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
It’s true what they say: The way to someone’s heart is often through their stomach. A new WRI study suggests that carefully reframing menu language can successfully nudge diners toward more climate-friendly food options.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
It seems human rights abuses aren’t the only labor issues companies need to watch out for in their supply chains. Here, Thailand-based Theppadungporn Coconut Company details how it partnered to create the first audit scheme specifically designed to uncover monkey labor.
CLEANTECH -
Oxitec’s Friendly™ technology has created self-limiting versions of some of our most deadly and destructive insect pests — a safe, targeted solution that has the potential to protect human populations, food crops and livelihoods globally.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Paying living wages throughout supply chains can mean changing business models, which can seem insurmountable. But a series of case studies from IDH shows how companies and coalitions are making real progress on their commitments.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The broad spectrum of choices in today’s ‘meat’ aisle will continue to diversify as brands work to satisfy the appetites of ever-growing climate-conscious consumer market — and each product has its own benefits, challenges and impacts.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
New cellulosic bio-coating for fresh produce greatly reduces both packaging and food waste by coating the produce with, well, produce.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Companies and industries are being forced to innovate to ensure success in a climate-changed future. One win-win partnership epitomizes the ingenuity of a legendary, highly particular sake brewery and a city government seeking to leverage local characteristics to revitalize the region.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Consumer insights demonstrate need for brands to make good on their sustainability and human rights claims, and make it even easier for shoppers to shop their values.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The ethical chocolate maker has released three ‘Conversation Bars’ — available exclusively online and at Waitrose through January 25 — designed to provoke
discussion around systemic issues in the chocolate supply chain.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
“Tony’s has done a great job of raising awareness of an important issue; and there is a real risk that the overriding message that will be left, once the dust settles, is one of a brand getting it wrong — and that could undermine all of the important messaging that Tony’s tries to share through its purpose.”
SUPPLY CHAIN -
The move comes following an investigation by Repórter Brasil and Mighty Earth that tracked deforestation-linked beef to European retail store shelves. JBS, the world’s largest beef producer, has long been on the radar of environmental NGOs and forward-looking investors due to its destructive practices.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Effort aims to help underrepresented applicants become McDonald’s franchisees by removing socio-economic barriers — in part through a $250M commitment to alternative financing — to attract more franchisees who reflect the composition of the communities it serves.
WALKING THE TALK -
With no end in sight to the pandemic and its many ripple effects, we can all use a little bit of brightness in our lives! So, here are some of the many companies, platforms and products aligned with a more intentional approach to consumption, that we’d be happy to support anytime.