Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Foods: Leading Countries and Innovative Startups

As the world grapples with climate change and food security challenges, sustainable and eco-friendly foods have become increasingly important. This article explores the countries leading the way in sustainable food production, highlights innovative food tech startups invested in sustainability, how is USA lagging behind and USA needs to catch up.

What Are Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Foods?

Sustainable foods are produced in ways that protect the environment, support local communities, and promote animal welfare while providing nutritious options for consumers.

Key characteristics include:

• Low carbon footprint

• Efficient use of natural resources

• Minimal environmental impact

• Support for biodiversity

• Fair compensation for producers

Some of the most sustainable food options include:

• Pulses (beans, lentils, peas)

• Leafy greens

• Mushrooms

• Locally grown fruits

• Seaweed

• Mussels

• Cereals and grains

Several nations have implemented policies and practices that promote environmental stewardship and food security:

France

France tops the Food Sustainability Index, excelling in food waste reduction, sustainable agricultural practices, and nutritional measures. The country has implemented laws requiring supermarkets to redistribute leftover food to charities, significantly reducing food waste.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is known for its balanced dietary guidelines and strong support for sustainable food choices. It is a pioneer in cultivated meat research, with substantial investments in cellular agriculture. In 2022, the Dutch government announced a $66 million investment to support the creation of a national cellular-agriculture ecosystem.

Denmark

Denmark has published an Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, aiming to increase the production and consumption of climate-friendly food. The plan includes support for public-sector kitchens, educational programs, and research and development initiatives.

Canada

Canada ranks high in sustainable food production practices and policies, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting organic farming. The country is also known for its robust food security measures.

Singapore

Singapore made history by being the first country to approve the sale of cultivated meat, fostering innovation in sustainable protein sources. The Singapore Food Agency approved the sale of Californian startup Eat Just’s cultivated chicken product, setting a global precedent.

United Kingdom

The UK has invested $13 million in a Sustainable Protein Hub to foster innovation and resilience in the food industry. This hub aims to develop new sustainable protein sources and improve food security.

Germany

Germany has earmarked $42 million in its 2024 budget to promote plant-based, precision-fermented, and cell-cultivated proteins. This investment is part of a broader strategy to reduce the environmental impact of food production.

New Sustainable Practices to Increase Sustainability

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

IPM combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to manage pests in ways that minimize economic, health, and environmental risks. This approach reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides, promoting healthier ecosystems.

Rotational Grazing

Management-intensive grazing systems move animals between pastures to provide high-quality forage and reduce feed costs while avoiding manure buildup. This practice improves soil health and reduces the environmental impact of livestock farming.

Soil Conservation

Methods such as strip cropping, reduced tillage, and no-till farming help prevent soil erosion caused by wind and water. These practices maintain soil health and fertility, which are crucial for sustainable agriculture.

Water Quality and Wetlands Protection

Planting riparian buffer strips and other water conservation practices improve the quality of drinking and surface water and protect wetlands. These measures help maintain biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Cover Crops

Growing plants like rye, clover, or vetch after harvesting main crops can suppress weeds, control erosion, and improve soil nutrients and quality. Cover cropping is a key practice in sustainable farming.

Crop and Landscape Diversity

Increasing the variety of crops and livestock on a farm can reduce risks from weather extremes, market fluctuations, or pests. Diverse farming systems contribute to soil conservation, wildlife habitat, and increased populations of beneficial insects.

Nutrient Management

Proper management of manure, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients improves soil health and protects the environment. Using on-farm nutrient sources like manure and leguminous cover crops reduces the need for purchased fertilizers.

Agroforestry

Agroforestry involves integrating trees into farming systems, such as inter-planting trees with crops or pasture, managing woodlots, and using trees as buffer strips along streams. This practice enhances biodiversity, soil health, and farm resilience.

Alternative Marketing Strategies

Innovative marketing strategies, such as direct sales at farmers markets, roadside stands, or through community-supported agriculture (CSA), can improve farm profitability and sustainability. These approaches connect consumers directly with local producers, reducing the carbon footprint of food distribution.

Top Food Tech Startups Invested in Sustainability

Innovative startups are driving the future of sustainable food production:

Daily Harvest

Founded in 2015, Daily Harvest focuses on making plant-based foods more accessible. Their ready-in-minutes meals are built on organic fruits and vegetables, aiming to eliminate barriers to healthy eating.

Regrow Ag

Regrow Ag combines agronomy and scenario planning with monitoring, reporting, and verification of soil health outcomes. Their digital platform promotes resilient agriculture across the supply chain, focusing on soil organic carbon, greenhouse gases, biodiversity, and conservation practices.

Air Protein

Air Protein aims to feed the planet's growing population with air-based meat, an ultra-sustainable solution. Their innovative approach uses carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen to create protein, significantly reducing the environmental impact of traditional meat production.

Mirai Foods

This Swiss startup cultivates beef and meat from animal cells, eliminating the need for traditional cattle rearing. This method reduces greenhouse gas emissions and resource use, making it a sustainable alternative to conventional meat production.

Klimato

Klimato develops carbon tracking software for the food industry, helping restaurants calculate and visualize their environmental impact. This tool enables businesses to make more informed decisions about their menu offerings and supply chains.These startups, along with many others, are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to make our food system more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

How the U.S. is Falling Behind on Sustainability

1. Slow Adoption of Sustainable Farming Practices: According to McKinsey research, while 90% of U.S. farmers understand sustainable farming, the actual implementation of such techniques remains limited. Many farmers are only applying sustainable practices to a small portion of their land, often less than 30%.

2. Low Uptake of On-Farm Renewable Energy: Despite high awareness, very few farmers have implemented on-farm renewable energy solutions, with only a small percentage planning to do so in the near future.

3. Gap Between Consumer Aspirations and Actions: A study found that while almost three-quarters of Americans expressed an urgent need to adopt sustainable eating, they lag behind other countries in actually doing so.

4. Insufficient Focus on Food Waste Reduction: The typical USA family of four loses approximately $1,500 annually due to food waste. Nearly one-third (30-40%) of all food purchased by American households goes to waste. Households discard about 6.2 cups of food per week, which amounts to 322 cups per year.

What the U.S. Needs to Do to Improve

1. Enhance Climate Risk Disclosures: The SEC is expected to release a final rule in the second quarter of 2024 mandating both domestic and international companies to integrate climate-related information within their registration statements and annual reports. This will increase transparency and accountability.

2. Implement Stricter Emissions Reporting: Following California's lead, the U.S. could adopt regulations similar to the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB253) and Climate-Related Financial Risk Act (SB261), which require large corporations to report their greenhouse gas emissions, including Scope 3 supply chain emissions.

3. Update Green Marketing Guidelines: The Federal Trade Commission is expected to announce updates to its Green Guides in 2024, which will help prevent greenwashing and provide clearer guidelines for environmental marketing claims.

4. Revise the Farm Bill: The current Farm Bill expires in 2023, presenting an opportunity to incorporate more sustainable agriculture practices and support for farmers transitioning to these methods.

5. Increase Financial Support for Sustainable Farming: Develop transition financing and products to help farmers adopt sustainable practices, addressing perceived risks related to yield impact and operational costs.

6. Improve Education and Outreach: Enhance efforts to educate farmers about sustainable practices and their long-term benefits, including the use of biologicals and biochar as fertilizers.

7. Develop Better Incentives: Create stronger incentives for farmers to adopt sustainable practices, possibly through premium pricing for sustainably produced goods or additional income streams from sustainable by-products.

8. Implement Comprehensive Food Waste Reduction Strategies: Develop and enforce regulations to reduce food waste throughout the supply chain, from production to consumption.

9. Encourage Sustainable Eating Habits: Implement educational programs and policies to bridge the gap between consumers' aspirations for sustainable eating and their actual behaviors.

10. Support Research and Innovation: Increase funding for research into sustainable agricultural technologies and practices, fostering innovation in areas like precision agriculture, alternative proteins, and regenerative farming methods.

By implementing these measures, the United States can make significant strides in improving its food sustainability practices, aligning more closely with global leaders in this area. These changes will require cooperation between government agencies, businesses, farmers, and consumers to create a more sustainable and resilient food system.

The shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly foods is gaining momentum worldwide. Countries like France, the Netherlands, and Denmark are leading the way with progressive policies, while innovative startups are developing technologies to revolutionize food production. As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of their food choices, the demand for sustainable options is likely to grow, driving further innovation and policy changes in the global food industry.

Eat Green, Live Clean: Sustainable Food for a Thriving Planet