Balance in Food Systems

Balance is tough when we’re talking about food systems ⚖ Balance of opinions and perspectives, as well as representation by the various stakeholders involved.

And so it’s hats off to Jez Fredenburgh and the AFN Network+ for providing a refreshingly balanced view during their webinar “#Alternativeproteins – what’s in it for farmers & land use?” of what conventional and alternative protein production mean for farmers, consumers and the environment – today, and in the future.

🚜 Lydia Collas from the charitable think tank Green Alliance presented the trade-offs for various forms of agriculture from a land use perspective, arguing compellingly in favour of alternative proteins.

🥩 Tom MacMillan from the Royal Agricultural University explored the threats and opportunities perceived by farmers in relation to cultured meat, then offered various scenarios in which farmers and the alternative protein industry can both benefit.

👨‍🌾 👩‍🌾 The message for balance was driven home by farmer and advocate @Stuart Roberts who called for an end to binary, either-or positioning on protein production, contending there are win-wins for everyone.

He also highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by farmers, who shoulder much of the risks in unfair, short-sighted and non-transparent #supplychains.

And finally he called for a better understanding of what #consumers want - that they and society as a whole need to join the journey.

This is precisely what Think Better World seeks to achieve, by using consumer and societal feedback to build alignment amongst food system stakeholders on the key challenges and paths towards ag#sustainability. 

Let's do this!