The top brass of major food and agriculture companies have come together to release a new call to action on improving sustainability across the food supply chain, publishing “Food for Thought: A Call to Action on the Future of Sustainable Agriculture.” The report presents examples of how leading food companies are making important strides in sustainability, while calling for increased efforts across the industry.
The report was published by the CEO Council on Sustainability and Innovation, a group led by Kellogg Company Chairman and CEO John A. Bryant, DuPont Executive Vice President Jim Collins, Hormel Foods Chairman and CEO Jeffery Ettinger, Land O’Lakes President and CEO Chris Policinski, and Elanco President Jeff Simmons.
The Council was joined by former agriculture secretary Dan Glickman in releasing the report, outlining what each member company is doing to engage with consumers, invest in a more sustainable food supply, and what needs to happen to improve food sustainability all along the food supply chain.
As outlined in the report, CEO Council members are focused on advancing innovative sustainability strategies that support three action areas:
- Sustainable Productivity
- Transparency
- Collaborative Decision Making Across the Food and Agriculture Supply Chain
“It is clear that we need to focus more resources on finding sustainable ways to increase food production and move individuals from hunger to adequate nutrition,” said Jim Collins, Executive Vice President at DuPont. “We are committed to initiatives that increase collaboration, such as BPC’s CEO Council on Sustainability, so we can work together to help ensure people around the world have enough food to eat for generations to come.”
“Food and agriculture are at the center of one of the greatest challenges of our time — providing enough wholesome, affordable food in a sustainable way to nourish our growing population,” said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco Animal Health. “We must work more collaboratively across the entire supply chain to enable innovative, science-based solutions that protect the health of people, animals and our planet.”
Food companies and retailers alike are leading the charge in changing the face of sustainability. Driven by their deep commitment to sustainability and a transparent food supply chain, FoodLogiQ customer Whole Foods Market launched Responsibly Grown, a supplier rating system that assesses growing practices that impact human health and the environment.
Whole Foods Market began development of the program in 2012, worked extensively with growers, FoodLogiQ, and other experts throughout the process, and then officially launching Responsibly Grown in 2014.
