Sustainable Food Laboratory

By Chris Landry, December 11, 2007

Food industry representatives from throughout Europe gathered in Brussels last month for a conference on sustainable agriculture put on by the Sustainable Agriculture initiative (SAI) PLatform and the Confederation of the Food & Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA).

In a nutshell: while tremendous amounts of work are still to be done, it's clear that the industry is taking sustainability to heart throughout Europe.  It was especially fascinating to hear from farmers themselves about their partnerships with business, and to learn of the innovations that are coming at the farm level.   In Poland, potato grower Farm Frites Poland is helping smaller farmers meet the certification standards and specifications of McDonald's.  In France, a certified integrated farming program sponsored by Valfrance has some farm operations recorded on the internet, providing complete transparency regarding chemical inputs and other activities.  "A farmer lives on his land with his family," farmer Andre Bocquillone reminded us.  "No one cares more about the health of his land."

In Italy, tomato growers are learning to reduce pesticide and water use, and farmer Marco Crotti noted, "For us, sustainability is not a cost but an investment.  We're interested in long-term cultivation."

What seems universal is initial resistance to change by both farmers and businesses, followed by an enthusiastic embracing of sustainability as its benefits become clear.  In addition, whether farmers are growing peas in England or tomatoes in Italy, there is universal concern about changing weather patterns, likely related to climate change.  One wonders whether the tomatoes will eventually be grown in the UK and the peas in Iceland.

Food Lab member Erik Mathjis, professor at Catholic University of Leuven, presented the research conducted in both the US and Europe about how to communicate with consumers about sustainability.  Hint: don't use the word sustainability.  In other sessions, certification schemes such as Rainforest Alliance were put under the microscope, as seems to be the trend these days, and Gine Zwart of Oxfam Novib strongly challenged the food industry to consider its impact on poverty and hunger.

 Slide presentations from the conference are available at www.sustainableagriculture2007.eu.