How can the food industry be restructured to ensure food security for all?

1 Reduce food waste

One of the major problems in the food industry is the amount of food that is lost or wasted along the supply chain, from production to consumption. This not only deprives people of valuable food resources, but also contributes to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste can improve food security by increasing the availability and affordability of food, as well as saving costs and resources. Some of the strategies to reduce food waste include improving storage and transportation infrastructure, enhancing food quality and safety standards, promoting circular economy practices, and raising consumer awareness and education.

2 Promote local and diverse food systems

Another way to restructure the food industry is to support local and diverse food systems that can provide more resilience and adaptability to changing conditions. Local food systems can reduce the dependence on global markets and external inputs, as well as foster social and cultural connections and empowerment among producers and consumers. Diverse food systems can enhance the variety and quality of food, as well as the ecological and genetic diversity of crops and livestock. Some of the ways to promote local and diverse food systems include strengthening smallholder and family farming, encouraging agroecology and organic farming, facilitating direct and fair trade, and supporting urban and community gardening.

3 Increase public investment and innovation

A third way to restructure the food industry is to increase public investment and innovation in the sector, especially in research and development, education and training, and public goods and services. Public investment and innovation can improve the productivity and efficiency of the food industry, as well as address the social and environmental challenges and opportunities. Some of the areas that need more public investment and innovation include climate-smart agriculture, digital and biotechnology, food safety and nutrition, and social protection and inclusion.

5 Engage stakeholders and consumers

A fifth way to restructure the food industry is to engage stakeholders and consumers in the process of transformation, as they are the key drivers and beneficiaries of change. Stakeholders and consumers can participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies and interventions, as well as in the creation and dissemination of knowledge and information. Some of the ways to engage stakeholders and consumers include fostering multi-stakeholder platforms and networks, empowering civil society and social movements, enabling citizen science and feedback mechanisms, and educating and informing consumers.