In our recent in person Breakfast Briefing, we brought together leaders from the Food and Drink community to address the barriers holding organisations back from improving sustainability performance.
Seismic’s Cofounder and Chief Impact Officer, Amy Bourbeau, led the discussion and was joined by Karina O’Gorman, European Head of Force for Good at innocent Drinks, who shared extensive insights and advice on improving impact within the food and drink value chain.
The session explored the influences of impact in the sector, where there is most work to do, and how to put sustainability into practice. In this article, discover the key learnings and takeaways.
The intersection of food and sustainability: a complex landscape
With 30% of global emissions coming from the global food system, in addition to the many other material negative impacts of the industry such as waste, animal welfare, accessibility of nutrition, human rights risks within the supply chain, water intensiveness and degradation of biodiversity, the detrimental impacts of food and drink are ever evolving.
As we gather around tables with loved ones to share meals, it’s easy to forget the vast and complex systems that bring food to our plates. The challenge lies in balancing our love for food with the urgent need for sustainable practices.
The push and pull towards sustainability
As new regulations and reporting requirements are introduced, B Corp standards are raised and regulation around green claims increases, there is increasing pressure for businesses to address their social and environmental impact. With this pressure comes a number of positive outcomes of embracing strong sustainability practices, including:
- Expanding customer base: with 45% of Gen Z and millennials found to shop with sustainability in mind, compared to only 14% of baby boomers, upcoming generations are looking for sustainability credentials in products
- Attracting and retaining talent: with 56% of employees more inclined to stay with a company if they have a strong sustainability record, sustainability is driving a positive work culture that empowers employees and activates pride and purpose within organisations
- Reductions in operational costs: leading to increased efficiency by adopting measures that make your organisation more efficient with considerable cost savings
This combination of regulatory pressures and market forces is driving significant transformation within the sector, but there is still a lot of work to do to see credible change. From plastics & packaging, regenerative agriculture, to food waste and influencing consumers, the sector must evaluate how it can address these challenges and turn positive solutions into action.
innocent Drinks: a case study in sustainable innovation
innocent Drinks, the beloved brand known for its fruit smoothies and commitment to doing business better, offers valuable insights into navigating the complexities of sustainability.
Their journey towards becoming a certified B Corp in 2018 involved implementing sustainability credentials throughout the value chain, focusing on four key pillars: increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, supporting communities, ensuring the future of fruits and vegetables, and influencing other businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
Using product, nutritional and sustainability guardrails, they have extensive processes when it comes to what they put into their products, the promises they make to their customers and how they source and purchase ingredients. One of their most important initiatives launched in 2021 – the Farmer Innovation Fund.
This fund helps their suppliers to keep growing fruit and veg long into the future, supporting farmers with the move to regenerative farming practices that improve and protect soil health, water resources, biodiversity and the climate.
Key challenges and solutions in food and drink
innocent Drinks, along with other businesses in this industry, are facing (and tackling) similar sustainability challenges and opportunities, including:
- Plastics and Packaging: Single-use plastics are a major concern. Solutions involve reducing plastic use, innovating with alternative materials, and implementing closed-loop systems
- Regenerative Agriculture: This approach to farming focuses on restoring soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem balance. Companies are working with suppliers to implement regenerative practices and educate consumers about their benefits
- Food Waste: A staggering amount of food is wasted, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Solutions include improving production processes, food labelling, packaging portion sizes, and consumer education
- Influencing Consumers: Encouraging consumers to make sustainable choices is crucial. Businesses can leverage their trusted relationships with customers to promote seasonal eating, reduce waste, and choose products with lower environmental impact
Putting sustainability into practice
To effectively integrate sustainability into their operations, Amy shared her experience and suggested steps businesses can follow to tackle the challenges:
- Conduct a double materiality assessment: This assessment helps identify and prioritise financial and impact-related risks and opportunities
- Develop a sustainability strategy: Use materiality assessment results and, holistic frameworks such as B Corp, to inform a robust strategy, complete with clear goals and timelines.
- Engage your supply chain: Build strong relationships with suppliers, really listening to their challenges, and collaborate with them on sustainable solutions
- Communicate effectively: Share your sustainability journey with consumers and stakeholders transparently, taking them on the journey with you
The path to sustainability in the food and drink industry is complex, but absolutely achievable. Through collaboration, sharing knowledge and learnings, and embracing innovation, businesses can create a more resilient and sustainable food system for future generations. It’s a journey that requires commitment, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
B Corp for food and drink guide
If you’d like to understand more about the benefits of becoming a B Corp and using the framework to create holistic, credible change within the food and drink sector, download our guide here.
Creating lasting change in food and drink
As your partner for change, we’ve supported hundreds of food and drink organisations to implement sustainable change and positive impact at every step of the value chain. Learn more and speak with one of our experts.
