SUPPLY CHAIN -
The week surrounding Easter has the highest consumption of chocolate in the year. For environmentalists, it can be a bitter reminder that many of the world’s primary regions for growing cocoa are experiencing dramatic decline in forest cover as land is cleared for agriculture. Cocoa is the top driver of deforestation in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire; countries that also rank 1st and 3rd for the highest rates of deforestation in all of Africa.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
The team behind digital supply chain mapping platform Sourcemap has been busy. Their latest projects aim to bring a new level of transparency to two of the most notoriously difficult to track industries in the world: clothing and palm oil.
WASTE NOT -
On foot, by bicycle, through water and combinations of the above, distance races such as marathons and ocean races are a global phenomenon. Running and cycling races have become a big business in recent years, due to the opportunity for sponsorship and the brand affinity that comes with it.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
With the global population predicted to reach nine billion by 2050 and the realities of climate change quickly unfolding, the pressure is on to find new solutions that allow us to meet growing demand while reducing environmental impacts. Food companies and government have an important role in initiating change, but startups are quickly emerging as the champions of tomorrow’s food system.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
For the first time ever in Ghana, cocoa farmers have obtained official ownership of non-cocoa trees on their farms. Some 150 farmers in the country’s western region will now be able to include shade trees as part of their business plans, providing additional sources of income in the form of timber while reducing deforestation and the effects of climate change.
COLLABORATION -
Amidst a flurry of corporate activity around World Water Day (March 22), the growing issues of demand, availability and quality of water have been front-and-center this week. According to UN projections, global demand for fresh water will exceed supply by 40 percent in 2030.
PRESS RELEASE -
There are so many reasons to care about water. Among them is that, without water, there would be no beer. That’s why conserving water is one of the six focus areas of HEINEKEN’s Brewing a Better World platform, which is woven into the ethos of the company.
Specifically, HEINEKEN’s water efforts focus on:
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The Sustainable Restaurant Association’s (SRA) latest campaign is “helping people understand what sustainable food looks, smells and tastes like,” says its president Raymond Blanc OBE.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Ahead of its Annual Meeting of Shareholders this week, Starbucks has announced it is committing $10M in partnership with Closed Loop Partners and its Center for the Circular Economy to develop a more sustainable coffee cup. Together, the organizations will establish a new consortium to launch the NextGen Cup Challenge, which will award accelerator grants to entrepreneurs working on potential cup solutions and encourage industry collaboration.
PRESS RELEASE -
To mark World Water Day this week, PepsiCo and The Nature Conservancy today announced new projects to conserve and replenish water in the Southwestern United States, marking the next stage of their multi-year national collaboration.
PepsiCo works with The Nature Conservancy as part of the Salt Verde Alliance to help to protect communities and the environment in the Salt and Verde river valleys, Arizona. Together, they enable the implementation of local solutions to improve water efficiency and replenish local watersheds.
COLLABORATION -
It takes a village to make a difference – HEINEKEN USA can’t do it alone!
Considering issues of underage drinking, drunk driving, and health and wellbeing, for example, the topic of responsible drinking is so multifaceted that it can sometimes feel like an overwhelming challenge.
WALKING THE TALK -
Sustainable Brands has recently reported on a range of really interesting, wide-range of initiatives coming out of the beer industry, including innovative packaging solutions, the use of renewable energy and efforts to address climate change and water scarcity.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
IKEA’s test kitchen, SPACE10, has been developing dishes with alternative ingredients such as insects, algae, and lab-grown meat. The chef-in-residence and their team reimagined several of IKEA’s classic menu items into healthier, more sustainable, yet still delicious dishes. They may not be available at IKEA retailers anytime soon, but they may be the fast food of the future!
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
Environmental charity Hubbub has launched a campaign that challenges male gym-goers to replace half of their animal-based protein with plant-based alternatives.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Yogurt manufacturer Chobani has unveiled the nine food startups participating in its third Chobani Incubator. The Spring 2018 class is comprised of companies disrupting and improving high-potential food categories in the US, from new and innovative snack products to healthier energy drinks and nutritious foods that can help kids learn to love veggies.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
With the world population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, 70 percent more food will be needed, making sustainable food and agricultural solutions an imperative. Urban farming and alternative proteins are emerging as viable and intelligent approaches to meet growing nutritional demands with minimal environmental impacts.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Crop diversity and water conservation are critical aspects of sustainable agriculture, but to truly future-fit our food system, ensuring soil health is imperative. To do this, DanoneWave has launched a new soil health initiative to build best-in-class programs to support sustainable agriculture in its farming communities.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The war against single-use plastics rages on as even more brands rise to the challenge of creating a plastic-free future.
Online food delivery companies Just Eat and Deliveroo are the latest businesses to hop aboard the sustainable packaging bandwagon.
PRESS RELEASE -
Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today released its 10th Corporate Responsibility report, detailing the company’s fiscal year 2017 achievements and outlining new sustainability goals and strategies that further integrate accountability and transparency across the Campbell business.
“As a purpose-driven company committed to making real food accessible to more people, our sustainability strategy is focused on four areas – how Campbell’s food is grown, sourced, produced and shared,” said Dave Stangis, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer. “Our new areas of focus allow Campbell to leverage existing capabilities while exploring additional opportunities to accelerate our impact and drive value for Campbell’s stakeholders.”
PRESS RELEASE -
Black History Month serves as a good reminder for us to celebrate achievements in the African-American community, but we should also engage in open conversation on where shortcomings exist and progress remains to be made.