From rising food prices to continued supply chain woes, decades-high inflation, worker shortages due to COVID and working conditions, and our climate, our food system is in crisis. The considerations of these trends drove my annual predictions for 2022.
If the word of 2021 was unpredictable, the word of 2022 is impermanence. From rising food prices to continued supply chain woes, decades-high inflation, worker shortages due to COVID and working conditions, and our climate, our food system is in crisis. McKinsey estimates that 73 million jobs will be eliminated due to automation by 2030, including the food production and manufacturing sectors. To persevere through these converging crises, human rights and planetary health is moving center of plate. From food policy to innovation and investing, the considerations of these trends drove my top predictions for 2022. Addressing Zero Food Waste Becomes Profitable Creative solutions have been around for years, yet scale has been hard to come by for zero waste solutions. Often the economics have not worked out. That may change with new legislation in California, where according to the LA Times, “composting is the next climate crusade.” Methane emissions from landfill are a significant contributor to climate change. California Senate Bill 1383 requires Californian businesses and individuals to separate organic material, and those who don’t comply can face fines. If this is the canary in the coal mine, it opens up opportunities for innovation. For instance, food rescue company Goodr uses proprietary technology and data to match food surplus to those in need. The company addresses the supply chain for surplus food, and they count the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a client. “Over the past two years amid the global pandemic, we all have witnessed massive supply chain issues and the affects they have had on our society,” shares Goodr CEO Jasmine Crowe. “Now more than ever people recognize the value in every item and the importance of zero waste.” The ‘Re-Regionalization’ of Food Systems A growing number of consumers want to know where their food comes from, and ensure its provenance. Dovetailed with rising food and freight prices and food shortages, buying local becomes more attractive and economical. Farm subscription programs or “CSAs” for produce and meat saw record levels of growth in 2020 and 2021. It’s good for the farmers, too. Meat prices up 20%, yet ranchers are taking home less than ever. The four largest meat packers — Tyson, Cargill, JBS, and National Meatpacking — control 85% of the industry. However, infrastructure is sorely needed to re-regionalize the food system. It is notoriously difficult for small scale farmers to gain access to processing capacity and to control more of their supply chain. President Biden recently announced a $1 billion investment in regional meat processors; this infrastructure bill could give a boost to start ups like the Southwest Black Ranchers and 99 Counties who are trying to address the market opportunity. Nick Wallace, co-founder and COO of Iowa’s 99 Counties, shares, “If Covid has taught us anything it is that our health is paramount, and the long-distance food supply chain is far too vulnerable to disruption.
