The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific association committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, has released a white paper on Food Science & Technology Solutions for Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change that identifies food science and technology opportunities and solutions that can address the dual challenge of adapting to and mitigating climate change to improve food and nutrition security.
Specifically, the white paper examines solutions that address resource inefficiency; enhance resilience in food production, supply chains, and safety; reduce food waste and loss across the supply chain; overcome barriers to adopt sustainable solutions; bridge workforce development and education gaps; and strengthen resilience amid political and economic uncertainty.
“Climate concerns are posing unprecedented challenges to food security, resource availability, and supply chain stability. The middle segment of the food chain, such as food processing, packaging, distribution and storage, plays a critical but often overlooked role in shaping a sustainable future,” said Brendan Niemira, PhD, IFT Chief Science and Technology Officer. “With a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based action, the food science and technology community can drive real, scalable solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change… but we have to act now.”
The white paper is the result of a virtual roundtable discussion organized by IFT’s Food & Nutrition Security Steering Committee (FNSSC). This is the fourth virtual roundtable discussion organized by FNSSC since its establishment in 2021—previous roundtables focused on biofortified crops, food loss, and processing technologies.
IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo
This year at IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, the leading food science and innovation expo hosted annually by IFT, there will be numerous scientific sessions featuring top experts in food sustainability and climate change. This includes the Sustainability Keynote “Sustainable Solutions: Advancing Food Security Through Science and Collaboration.” Moderated by Blake Harris, Managing Director of IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center, the keynote panel will explore the latest breakthroughs in traceability, resource management, and climate adaptation.
Panelists include:
- Mercy Lung’aho, PhD, Food Security, Nutrition and Health Program Lead at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
- Paul Bowen, PhD, Senior Water Consultant at GHD
Other sustainability-themed featured scientific sessions will focus on:
- How circular economy principles reduce food loss while strengthening supply chain stability
- What emerging research and tools are addressing climate resilience, food and nutrition security, and food safety in global food systems
- Alternative uses for food waste
To learn more or to register for IFT FIRST, which is being held July 12-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago, to go www.ift.org/ift-first-event.
Additional sustainability and climate change content, courtesy of IFT’s Food Technology magazine:
