The Future of the Food Ecosystem -- and the Power of Your Plate | Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli

Summary

Ndidi shares her journey from a childhood passion for agriculture to her current work in transforming the food ecosystem. She highlights the interconnectedness of food, health, and climate issues, emphasizing the need for urgent action to create a more sustainable and equitable system. Ndidi calls for reducing food waste, making healthy food accessible, and supporting small enterprises, especially those led by women. She encourages individuals to be conscious of their food choices, advocate for sustainability, and drive change for future generations. Her message is one of impatience for positive transformation in the global food system.

Takeaways

• 😊 Ndidi's name means patience, but she describes herself as naturally impatient, having been born in a rush in the parking lot.
• 🌱 Agriculture was Ndidi's favorite subject growing up, and she even considered studying it before choosing business.
• 🌍 A defining moment for Ndidi was in 2007 during the world food crisis, when she realized how interconnected the global food system is.
• 💡 Ndidi emphasizes that the food system is broken, contributing significantly to health, equity, and climate issues globally.
• 🔥 She highlights that we have the technology and knowledge to solve food waste and production issues but are not using it effectively.
• 🍃 She praises initiatives like the Songhai Center in Benin and Bioloop for using regenerative agriculture and waste recycling to improve food production.
• 🥗 Ndidi calls for affordable and accessible healthy food, noting that one out of five deaths is linked to unhealthy diets, with many unable to afford a healthy diet.
• 💪 She underscores the importance of supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food ecosystem, as they are vital to the economy but vulnerable to shocks.
• 👩‍💼 Empowering women in the food industry is crucial; Ndidi’s company AACE Foods demonstrates that empowering women empowers communities.
• 🚀 Ndidi encourages impatience in addressing the food system's challenges, urging individuals and leaders to take bold actions to create a sustainable, healthy food ecosystem for future generations.

Q & A

What does Ndidi's name mean, and how does it contrast with her personality?

Ndidi's name means 'patience' in Igbo, but she considers herself one of the most impatient people due to her eagerness and drive for change.

What was Ndidi’s favorite subject in school, and how did it shape her early experiences?

Ndidi's favorite subject in school was agriculture. She was excited about growing and harvesting crops, such as green beans, and even sold avocados at her local market, fostering an early passion for food and farming.

Why did Ndidi not pursue agriculture as her first career choice, and what led her back to it?

Ndidi initially opted to study business and started her career in corporate America. However, several twists in her journey led her back to her love for agriculture and consulting with entrepreneurs.

What was a defining moment for Ndidi in 2007, and how did it influence her views on the global food system?

In 2007, during the first world food crisis in her adult life, Ndidi realized how interconnected global issues were, particularly how oil price shocks impacted cereal and bread prices, disproportionately hurting the most vulnerable.

What role does Ndidi believe the food ecosystem plays in climate change, and how can it be improved?

Ndidi believes the food ecosystem is a major contributor to climate change due to practices like deforestation and food waste, which produce methane. She advocates for adopting regenerative agriculture, reducing waste, and using existing technology to grow food sustainably.

How does the Songhai Center in Benin serve as an example of positive change in agriculture?

The Songhai Center educates young Africans on regenerative agriculture and zero-waste production. One graduate’s company, Bioloop, transforms waste into sustainable fish feed and soil supplements, demonstrating a circular agricultural model.

Why does Ndidi emphasize the importance of reducing food waste, and how can individuals contribute to this effort?

Ndidi stresses that food waste contributes to climate change, and individuals can help by adopting food waste policies at home, in schools, and in companies. Encouraging children to finish meals for environmental reasons is another practical step.

What are the health and equity challenges associated with unhealthy food, according to Ndidi?

Ndidi highlights that unhealthy food contributes to one out of five deaths globally. She points out that one-third of the world’s population cannot afford healthy food, making it a critical issue for global health and equity.

What example from Africa does Ndidi use to demonstrate the benefits of a healthy diet?

Ndidi references the Hadzabe people of Tanzania, who live in harmony with the land and consume ten times more fiber than the average American, showing how traditional diets can offer healthier alternatives to processed foods.

How can small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food ecosystem be supported, according to Ndidi?

Ndidi advocates for supporting SMEs with catalytic financing and enabling environments, especially for women-led businesses. SMEs are crucial for job creation and innovation in the food ecosystem, as seen through examples like Twiga and her own company, AACE Foods.