Innovation for sustainable food: an example from the Netherlands

A report of the March 2010 meeting of the FEC’s Business Forum

We are warned that a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges to food security and sustainability will hit us in coming decades, calling for radical innovation in farming and food systems. While most policy and public debate focuses on science investment, say in plant breeding, the reality is that many of the innovations that most profoundly affect our lives have arisen outside research labs or glasshouses, in fields, homes and offices. Given that there’s more to innovation than scientific research, what should we be doing to foster pioneering ideas and practices that support food security and sustainability?

To prompt a wider discussion about innovation strategies, and having previously discussed the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), the March meeting of the Food Ethics Council’s Business Forum considered the approach taken by groundbreaking Dutch innovation programme TransForum.

We are very grateful to our speaker, Sander Mager, Programme Manager for TransForum. The chair was Julia Hailes MBE, sustainability consultant, author of the New green consumer guide and member of the Food Ethics Council.

Click on the link below to download a report of the meeting.