Supply Chain Sustainability Stories

Consumers have long wielded their purchasing power to send messages to companies whose stances they disagree with. Boycotts can take the form of personal snubs at a shop or large-scale, highly publicized movements. While many of these boycotts often fall into “the dustbin of outrage,” swaths of consumers are still more determined than ever to spend with companies whose values and ethics align with their own — and to divert their dollars from companies whose practices don't. Instead of flat-out avoiding certain brands that make moves they disagree with, some consumers are now consistently directing their money to companies in which they are confident.

Josh Payne took over his family farm in Concordia, Kansas about 15 years ago. When he found out he was allergic to herbicide, he wanted to transition the farm to regenerative agriculture — a movement that aims to revive farmland soil and, by extension, the ecosystem and the small farm economy. He hoped that by changing what and how they farmed, it would reduce the need for chemical inputs and align the farm with nature. Josh told his grandfather they should use cover crops, graze sheep and plant an orchard. But his grandfather Charles Payne wasn’t having it.

It is a common issue among a certain generation of farmers, and their skepticism and resistance to regenerative agriculture is a result of their lived experience.

In a two-story building on the harbor at Refshaleøen, Copenhagen, there is chocolate being tempered in the kitchen; upstairs, plates of tacos and protein bars are being served. These efforts are not part of the offerings at Copenhagen’s newest small plates restaurant, but rather the brainchild of Rasmus Munk — the two Michelin-starred chef on a mission to "upcycle" what we eat. Munk is one of a growing number of people who believe the future of food lies in what we're already throwing away.

To keep industry brands aware of the broad range of efforts suppliers around the world are making to improve their supply chains, we introduce Supply Chain Sustainability Stories: Notes from the field. In this edition, learn about a new project to support farmers in India from K Patel Phyto Extractions and Indena’s installation of state-of-the-art photovoltaic panels to support efficient energy usage in its business operations.

Packaging is going through one of the biggest states of change in decades, largely driven by enhanced sustainability efforts and legislation. But change isn’t easy and often fuels confusion. Experts say it’s time for industry to clear things up regarding sustainable packaging.

Food systems are linked to almost a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainability is playing a rising role in consumer purchasing decisions. In a roundtable webinar discussion, several experts chimed in on how important sustainability has become for food and beverage companies, which includes embracing new technologies and reducing food waste — but also comes with compromises.