September 2024 Littlefoot Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,

I’m back from my first Climate Week, and it was a whirlwind. I spent one day with my food loss and waste crew at a Champions 12.3 event, followed by a visioneering workshop with the X Prize Foundation. I got to sample the “future of food” with the JPMorgan Climate Team and spent another morning discussing net-positive hospitality with Iberostar, IHG, and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. Lunch at Google with Kathy Cacciola was another highlight, as was dreaming and scheming with my IMAGINE cohort — especially spending extra time with Caroline Slootweg, CEO of Kelp.Blue. I got to meet Sophia Vanderheym in person, our new Fellow. And most importantly, I filled my cup sharing meals with three of my best friends (and their babies!).

As I reflect on Climate Week in New York, I can’t shake the sense of urgency, especially around food systems, that remains unmet in critical areas.

1. Despite the growing recognition of the role food plays in climate resilience, there is still a significant gap in funding and investment. Most climate dollars are flowing to tech-driven solutions and renewable energy, leaving food-specific projects underfunded. This is a missed opportunity. The food system, from regenerative agriculture to food waste reduction, holds massive potential to mitigate climate change. Yet, it remains a secondary focus in both investment and policy discussions. 
2. We need to shift from endless commitments to tangible action. Too much time is still spent debating the next bold target, with insufficient attention given to the small wins and milestones already being achieved. We need to celebrate these successes, however incremental, and use them as stepping stones toward larger-scale impact. There’s tremendous value in moving from aspirational goals to immediate, actionable steps that build momentum and showcase what’s possible. 
3. Lastly, the conversation around systems change is still fragmented. While we talk about the need for a holistic approach, many of the solutions presented remain siloed. True systems change requires breaking down barriers between sectors—agriculture, energy, finance—and creating integrated solutions that address root causes, not just symptoms. Only then can we drive the transformational change needed to meet the scale of the climate crisis.

It's evident that the gap between where we are now and a full transformation of our systems is significant, but don’t take my critique as pessimism. We are making progress everyday and it’s why I feel privileged to support so many of you through my client work at Littlefoot. 

In case you missed it:

• My dear friends Tania Strauss, Head of Food and Water at the World Economic Forum, and Shalini Unnikrishnan, Managing Director at the Boston Consulting Group, collaborated to write this Op-Ed showcasing the white paper and playbook their teams created about making collaboration the norm in global food systems work.
• California has officially become the first state to ban "Sell By" dates on food packaging. This means that starting in July 2026, labels will be standardized so that “Best if Used By” refers to the quality of the food and “Use By” refers to the food’s safety for consumption. This bill will help reduce food waste and address food insecurity, and help consumers save money.
• The EPA just announced a $39 million new funding opportunity for consumer recycling education and outreach with a focus on preventing the generation of wasted food and increasing its recycling through composting. This opportunity is part of The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is a historic investment in the health, equity, and resilience of American communities.
• The 6th annual Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum is happening in Denver from October 9-10 and I’ll be hosting a blended capital workshop with the unparalleled Connie Bowen, GP of Farmhand Ventures and author of the recently published paper on Inclusive Innovation in Agriculture. Will I see you there?
• I’ll also be an opening speaker for the Food Chain Innovation Challenge 2024 hosted by Lineage on November 19. For my colleagues in Europe, there will be two additional events in London and Amsterdam. Lineage is completely dedicated to reducing food loss and waste, and since that’s the bread and butter of my work you can probably imagine how pumped I am to speak!

As we wrap up the UN General Assembly week, it’s fitting to acknowledge yesterday's International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. This is a critical component of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Reducing food waste is essential to addressing hunger, climate change, and resource efficiency. With one-third of food lost or wasted globally, much of it in our own homes, we have a responsibility to act. Let’s use the momentum from this week to keep food waste reduction at the forefront, driving meaningful progress every day toward a more sustainable future.

As always, I want to hear what’s going on in your world and how I can support you. Yours in partnership, 

Eva Goulbourne

What I’m Reading

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $117 Million in Grants Available to Advance Recycling Infrastructure and Prevent Wasted Food – EPA 

The Biden-Harris Administration announced new grant opportunities for projects that enhance community recycling, reduce waste, and address environmental justice. This funding has the potential to have a significant impact on the broader food system as improving recycling infrastructure can reduce food packaging waste, decrease landfill use, and encourage the circular economy. Additionally, targeting underserved communities will promote environmental equity and enhance access to sustainable practices in areas that often face disproportionate environmental burdens.

USDA allocates $121 million for specialty crop and organic farming research – Farms.com

The USDA announced a $121 million funding initiative to support research and education projects that will enhance the sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness of the specialty crop and organic farming sectors. These projects will be focused on disease resistance, climate resilience, and improving production methods. The investment is part of the USDA's broader effort to bolster food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices. 

Statement on the United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Extreme Heat – ClimateWorks Foundation

In response to the UN Secretary-General’s call to address extreme heat, philanthropic funders convened by ClimateWorks Foundation are uniting to help tackle the threats of extreme heat to health, livelihoods, infrastructure, and food security. Their $50 million philanthropic pledge targets high-risk regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, focusing on building climate resilience, protecting vulnerable populations, and fostering sustainable urban cooling. 

Brussels to become the first European region to ban synthetic pesticides in agriculture in 2030 – Pesticide Action Network Europe

The use of conventional pesticides in agriculture on agricultural land will no longer be allowed in the Brussels region as of 2030. With this decision, Brussels aims to protect biodiversity, improve public health, and promote organic farming methods. It is expected that this ban will influence other regions in Europe to adopt similar policies.

Regenerative agriculture is sold as a climate solution. Can it do all it says? – NPR

Regenerative agriculture has been a controversial topic. But even though it may not have as big of an impact in terms of carbon sequestration, it is still a solution worth investing in because it helps preserve biodiversity and increases soil health, both of which are critical for producing nutritious food. In addition, it positively contributes to farmer livelihoods by building up their climate resilience. 

100 European cities aim to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030. Why (and how) should foundations engage? – Philanthropy Europe Association

The European Commission has a mission for 100 cities to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. Philanthropic foundations can play a critical role by funding innovation, fostering collaboration, and investing in urban sustainability projects. The Commission’s initiative aims to promote greener cities, reduce emissions, and create equitable solutions for all citizens and foundations are encouraged to engage by leveraging their resources to drive systemic change and support public-private partnerships.

This $1.8 billion startup tracks carbon for FedEx, General Mills and Walmart – Trellis

Watershed, a five-year-old startup that offers carbon management software, is currently capturing a significant share of the market. Major corporations such as FedEx, General Mills, and Walmart are already using Watershed’s software to enhance their sustainability efforts. These corporate adoptions of the software are part of a broader movement to meet corporate sustainability goals and address environmental impacts more effectively.

Food Waste Impacts: Date Labeling – ReFED

ReFED, the leading nonprofit on food waste reduction, explains that inconsistent and unclear date labeling on food products contributes significantly to food waste in the U.S. Consumers often discard food based on "best by" or "sell by" dates, which are typically related to quality, not safety. ReFED advocates for standardizing date labels across the country, clarifying terms, and providing better education on the difference between quality and safety indicators, which could reduce food waste and enhance food system sustainability.

How to turn the tables on food waste – TED Talk by Dana Gunders

In this recently released TED Talk, Dana Gunders, food expert and president of ReFED, addresses the global issue of food waste and its environmental, economic, and social impacts. She explains that a significant portion of food goes uneaten, contributing to climate change and resource depletion. She advocates for simple solutions, such as better planning, labeling, and consumer awareness, and shares tips on how you can keep good food from going to the trash.

Farmland LP Announces Investment from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund to Support Regenerative Agriculture – BusinessWire

One of the largest fund managers focused on organic regenerative farmland, Farmland LP, recently announced an investment from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund. The funding will support sustainable farming practices that enhance soil health, improve carbon sequestration, and boost biodiversity on farmland. This partnership highlights Microsoft’s climate goals and the broader growing interest in regenerative agriculture as a solution for environmental sustainability and climate resilience. 

Events

• September 10 - 30 | New York City, NY | 76th Session of the UN General Assembly
• September 22 - 29 | New York City, NY | Climate Week NYC
• September 29 | International Day on Food Loss and Waste Prevention 
• October 9 - 10 | Denver, CO | Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum
• October 14 - 18 | Italy | World Food Forum
• October 16 | World Food Day 
• October 16 - 18 | Nashville, TN | DAF Giving Summit
• October 28 - 30 | San Francisco, CA | SOCAP 
• October 29 - 31 | San Jose, CA | GreenBiz VERGE 
• November 11 - 22 | Baku, Azerbaijan | COP29
• November 14 | London | Lineage Food Chain Innovation Challenge 2024
• November 19 | San Francisco & Amsterdam | Lineage Food Chain Innovation Challenge 2024
• December 10 | Virtual | Regenerative Food Systems Investment Canada