Food industry leaders have stressed the significance of collaboration among retailers, farmers, and manufacturers in fostering a sustainable and regenerative food system.
At the World Retail Congress in Paris, a panel discussion centered on securing a sustainable future for the food industry. Leaders from the John Lewis Partnership, Nestlé, The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and The Consumer Goods Forum convened to underscore the necessity of transformative, collective action.
Regenerative agriculture
Marija Rompani, director of sustainability and ethics at the John Lewis Partnership, stressed the necessity for concrete actions from food manufacturers and retailers to bolster regenerative agriculture initiatives.
She discussed the pivotal role of farmers as guardians of the food system, calling for increased public awareness and acknowledgment of their contributions.
Rompani also proposed that further research linking the health advantages of sustainably produced food could aid in raising awareness and rallying support for a more sustainable food industry.
Supply chain efforts
Franck Saint-Martin, environmental impact Manager at Nestlé, echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the significance of collaborative endeavours in advancing sustainability initiatives throughout the supply chain.
He urged retailers to play an active role in bolstering manufacturers’ sustainability efforts, promoting a sustainability-driven culture across the industry, spanning from production to purchase.
Elsewhere, Reniera O’Donnell, Food Initiative Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, emphasised the significance of both individual and collective action in driving substantial change, highlighting the importance of consumer engagement and re-iterating the role of retailers in stimulating demand for sustainable products.
Also, Sharon Bligh, director of health & sustainability at The Consumer Goods Forum, underscored the importance of collaboration across the value chain, noting the substantial impact of the food system on global emissions.
‘A decisive challenge’
Elsewhere at the World Retail Congress, Alexandre Bompard, chief executive and chairperson of Carrefour, said that climate change is a “decisive challenge” for the current generation of retail leaders, with more focus needed on the effects that global warming will have on businesses.
“It is in our best interest to combat global warming sooner rather than later, as delay will only increase costs, not to forget the demanding expectations of our customers,” Bompard commented.
The World Retail Congress‘s 2024 summit took place in Paris from 16 to 18 April.
