Nourishing a Sustainable Future: How Nutrition and Health are Revolutionizing the Food System

Dive into the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge focus areas with this article series from SVG Ventures | THRIVE. We will explore the five critical themes shaping a sustainable future. This third article will take a closer look at our food system and how it affects our health.?

As the global population grows, feeding billions strains our resources and pushes the boundaries of what our planet can sustain. The bigger challenge, however, lies in ensuring everyone has access to nutritious and healthy food without further worsening climate change. Simply producing enough calories won’t suffice. A sustainable food system demands a dramatic shift, one that prioritizes not just quantity, but also quality and environmental impact.

As Aidan Connolly mentions in his book, The Future of Agriculture: “This is a time for dramatic change in the food industry. Consumers are more increasingly concerned about sustainability in the food chain and are more adventurous in what they eat. And as resource and operational costs go up, there is more incentive to look for more efficient approaches.”?

The future of food is one with healthier individuals empowered by customized dietary plans that generate less food waste. Advanced technologies can ensure food quality and safety, further minimizing waste and promoting health. Exploring alternative protein sources, like plant-based options or even lab-grown meat, holds immense potential for reducing the environmental burden on our food system. Finally, incorporating alternative feed sources for livestock, such as utilizing leftover crop parts, promotes resource efficiency and a circular economy model. By implementing these interconnected solutions, we can create a sustainable food system that nourishes both people and the planet.

Precision Nutrition?

The global health picture is concerning. In 2022, 2.5 billion adults were overweight globally. Adult obesity rates have doubled since 1990, while adolescent obesity has quadrupled. Diabetes cases, according to the CDC’s 2022 report, now affect an estimated 37.3 million Americans. Simply feeding the world is no longer enough. We need nutritious food that promotes health and combats these growing issues. This has fueled the rise of the “Food as Medicine” movement, where people actively seek healthier options. However, defining “healthy” can be subjective, which has led to precision nutrition, a revolutionary approach that tailors dietary recommendations to each individual. It considers factors like genetics, gut bacteria, metabolism, health status, activity level, and even socioeconomic background to create truly personalized plans. Empowering individuals to take control of their health will improve our food system.

Quality and Safety Testing?

Ensuring food safety and quality remains paramount in a growing sustainable food system. In 2023 the CDC estimated that 48 million Americans, the equivalent of 1 in 6 people, get sick from foodborne illness. New advancements in technology are revolutionizing food testing methods. New imaging techniques, like hyperspectral imaging, can now non-invasively detect defects, ripeness levels, and even contamination in real time. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are further transforming the way we analyze food. These powerful tools can be trained on vast datasets to identify patterns and anomalies that might escape the human eye, enabling faster and more accurate quality control. Even with these advancements, the development of rapid and reliable safety testing technologies remains a top priority. Early detection of foodborne pathogens and contaminants is crucial for preventing outbreaks and ensuring consumer safety.

Alternative Animal Feed

Cattle have complex nutritional needs for growth, reproduction, and a healthy immune system. Traditionally, these needs have been met with hay, grain, and silage, but alternative feeds are emerging as a sustainable and cost-effective solution. These alternatives can include crop residues like cornstalks or wheat straw, processing byproducts from food manufacturing like distillers’ grains, and even repurposed food waste from bakeries or fruit & vegetable processing facilities. Insects, specifically mealworms or black soldier flies, can also be raised on organic waste streams and then become a protein-rich feed source for cattle. Alternative feeds have the ability to reduce reliance on conventional feed sources that may be vulnerable to weather events or require significant land and water resources. Furthermore, by utilizing waste products as feed, alternative options promote a circular economy that minimizes environmental impact and maximizes resource efficiency.

A Growing Shift to Alternative Protein

As global meat demand is projected to surge by a staggering 50% by 2050, relying solely on conventional meat production would deplete precious resources like land and water, and accelerate the release of greenhouse gasses that fuel climate change. Alternative proteins offer a solution that doesn’t rely on livestock. These innovative options, derived from plants, fermentation processes, or even cultivated animal cells, require a fraction of the resources compared to traditional meat. By capturing just 11% of the global protein market by 2035, alternative proteins have the potential to slash greenhouse gas emissions on a scale equivalent to decarbonizing the entire global aviation industry. This dramatic reduction in environmental impact positions alternative proteins as a crucial pillar for building a sustainable food system for the future.

THRIVE’s corporate partners have been implementing these solutions and are leading the charge in creating a more sustainable food system:

• FCC / FAC (FCC )is proud to be 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food. Our employees are committed to the long-standing success of those who produce and process Canadian food. FCC provides flexible financing and capital solutions, while creating value through data, knowledge, relationships and expertise. FCC offers a complement of financial and non-financial products and services designed to support the complex and evolving needs of the industry. As a commercial Crown corporation, FCC is a stable partner that reinvests profits back into the industry and communities it serves.?
• Rovitaris is ( ICL Group )ICL’s line of plant-based protein ingredients specifically designed to improve the texture, stability, and flavor profile of vegan food application. They also have a BEKAPLUS DV-Line solution that helps create high-quality vegan cheese alternatives.
• Driscoll's (Driscoll’s )has established a Global Food Safety Program, employing third-party auditors to verify safety standards and rigorously training their staff to ensure the best quality for their products.?

By implementing these interconnected solutions and fostering innovation in these key areas, we can cultivate a future where healthy food is accessible to all, and our food system thrives in harmony with the environment.

This year, for our 2024 THRIVE Global Impact Challenge, we are looking for the most groundbreaking startups working in Health & Nutrition. If you’re a startup working on improving our food system, or if you know someone who works in this sector, we invite you to apply here.

By fostering innovation and supporting groundbreaking startups, we can pave the way towards a more resilient and sustainable future. Join the conversation with AgTech leaders at the 2024 THRIVE Global Impact Summit, with early-bird tickets still on sale here.?

About the Authors

Victoria Curotto : Global Accelerator Manager, SVG Ventures|THRIVE

Sofia Aguilera Program Associate, SVG Ventures|THRIVE