Scholar, advocate, and trusted advisor Dr. Calestous Juma wrote extensively on the environment, biotechnology, education, artificial intelligence, and politics. At his death, he was a beloved faculty member at the Harvard Kennedy School.
A Year in Review: 2017 Food and Agriculture News
We witnessed a monumental shift in global politics, a series of natural disasters, and indications of growing malnutrition and obesity. And yet the signs of a growing movement for food security, justice, and sustainability are everywhere.
Barilla Launches Food Innovation Hub and Venture Fund
Blu1877 seeks seed-level investments in products related to bakery goods, pasta, fruit-based product, condiments, sustainable and Mediterranean diets, and meal solutions. Companies will have access to Barilla’s pilot plant and virtual network.
Gardens are emblems of resistance: Interview with Slow Food International Vice President
Mukiibi: “Local food traditions are very important in ensuring sustainable diets and creating resilience to climate change in many different communities.”
Webinar: The Human Face of Trade and Food Security
The report examines the evolution of agricultural markets, global trade, and value chains and how smallholder farmers interact with the food system. Webinar will include a panel discussion of the report.
BCFN Award Recognizes Young Food System Researchers
This year’s winners are researching food security and interventions to improve mother/child health in Lebanon and integrated pest management to lower negative rice production impacts.
Storytelling Contest Open: Win Trip to Alaska
Planet Forward, in partnership with the eco-tourism company Lindblad Expeditions, is accepting applications for its fourth annual Storyfest Award. Grand Prize is a trip aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion to explore the Alaskan Inside Passage in June 2018.
Bananageddon Film Examines How to Save America’s Favorite Fruit
America’s favorite fresh fruit, bananas, face extinction as we know them. New documentary examines how a shift in agriculture can save bananas and the workers who produce them.
“The time is now for our country to help young farmers”
The number of American farmers is decreasing and their average age is increasing. This report examines obstacles young farmers face and suggests policies to ensure the future of American agriculture.
CAS: “Soils can be part of the solution to combat climate change”
CIAT, The Nature Conservancy, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences examined global soil samples and developed sequestration potential maps that can assist in developing mitigation strategies for reaching the targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Plant-Based Food Advocates Fight DAIRY PRIDE Act
This bill claims that plant-based products labeled as milk are misleading to consumers and plant-based milk, cheese, and yogurt imitations do not provide the same nutrition content as genuine dairy products.
Dolcini: “Efforts to help one species generally promote all species”
Val Dolcini is passionate about helping pollinators and American farmers. Before joining P2, an organization dedicated to promoting the health of pollinators, he held numerous positions in government, businesses, and nonprofits including the USDA Farm Service Agency.
BUGs Keynote Speakers Promote Food Justice and Civil Rights
“Rooted and Rising: Black Southern Land Legacies of Resistance & Resilience,” a conference by the Black Urban Growers, will explore the history of and solutions from Black agriculture and how it influences today’s food movements.
Campbell: “Goal of bringing more plant-based foods to consumers”
“We are committed to providing our consumers with food choices that meet their nutrition, well-being, and lifestyle needs,” says Ed Carolan, President of Campbell Fresh.
Zambian Farmers Outline “Potential agriculture holds to reduce poverty and hunger”
Zambian farmers outline “potential agriculture holds to reduce poverty and hunger, contribute to vibrant, self-sustaining communities and dramatically increase the food needed to feeding a growing population.”
Prize for Food Supply Chain Solution Startups: Applications Now Open
Food+City is accepting applications for innovative food supply chain solution competition, connecting early-stage business startups with investors. Applications must include a process, product, service, or technology that focuses on the system of getting food from the farm to the table.
Outrage and Inspire: Stories of Hunger and Humanity
Outrage in the title refers to the tragedy of famine and malnutrition in the modern era, where we have the ability to eliminate these maladies. Inspire comes from the stories of those who confront hunger and malnutrition.
NRDC: “An outrageous amount of food is wasted in our cities”
“With this important new research, cities like Denver, Nashville, and NYC can better rescue surplus, wholesome food; they have the data they need to set policy and feed more people in their cities. Everyone wins.”
James Beard Foundation Announces 2017 Leadership Award Recipients
The James Beard Foundation announced the winners of the seventh annual JBF Leadership Awards, celebrating visionaries who have made an impact in sustainability, food access, and public health.
Live Webinar October 31: “Tackling Urban Food Waste”
Join Zilient for a live webinar moderated by Danielle Nierenberg on October 31 at 11am EST. The webinar coincides with the release of and will revolve around a new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) on food waste.
