What’s after what’s next? Megatrends shaping 2018 and beyond: Food by Design

Summary

The food industry is undergoing a transformation driven by consumer demand for local, transparent, and personalized food. Global health issues, climate change, and resource scarcity are spurring innovations at the intersection of food, biotech, wellness, and digital technology. As the middle class expands, so does the demand for sustainable meat alternatives and lab-grown meat, which address inefficiencies and environmental impacts of traditional livestock. Digital vertical farming is revolutionizing urban agriculture, reducing land and water use while increasing access to fresh, local, and organic produce. Understanding the human gut biome is key to personalized diets that combat obesity and diseases like diabetes, highlighting the convergence of food, wellness, and technology for a healthier planet.

Takeaways

• 💰 The food industry, valued at five trillion dollars, is undergoing a significant disruption due to changing consumer demands.
• 🌱 Consumers are increasingly seeking food that is locally sourced, transparently produced, and personalized to their preferences.
• 🌍 The spread of the Western diet is contributing to global health issues, which is a concern as it also impacts climate change and resource sustainability.
• 🌱 Innovations at the intersection of food, biotech, wellness, and digital technology are emerging as a response to these challenges.
• 📈 The growth of the global middle class is driving up the demand for meat, which poses a problem due to the inefficiency and environmental impact of traditional meat production.
• 🥩 Food innovators are developing sustainable meat alternatives that can compete with traditional meat in terms of taste, price, and experience.
• 🥬 Plant-based meat and dairy products are designed to mimic the taste and experience of animal products without the associated environmental costs.
• 🧪 Lab-grown or clean meat is an emerging solution that avoids the inefficiencies and environmental issues of conventional meat production.
• 🏭 Digital vertical farming is a technological advancement that allows for local food production with less land and water, addressing the demand for fresh and organic products.
• 🌿 Understanding the human gut biome can lead to personalized diets that can help prevent obesity and diseases like diabetes, reflecting a shift towards food as a component of wellness.
• 🔄 As food supply chains become more efficient and sustainable, there are implications for energy, logistics, and retail companies, as well as opportunities for partnerships between food, retail, and healthcare sectors.

Q & A

What is the current issue with the food industry as mentioned in the script?

The food industry is facing disruption due to consumer demands for local, transparently produced, and personalized food, as well as challenges posed by global health problems, climate change, and resource constraints.

How is the Western diet contributing to global health problems according to the script?

The diffusion of the Western diet is fueling global health problems by contributing to obesity and other diet-related diseases.

What are the innovations being developed at the intersections of food, biotech, wellness, and digital?

Innovations include vegetable-based meat and dairy products, lab-grown clean meat, digital vertical farms, and understanding the human gut biome for personalized diets.

Why are food innovators focusing on sustainable meat alternatives?

Food innovators are making sustainable meat mainstream to address the inefficiency of animal farming, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve food sustainability without compromising on taste, price, and experience.

How do vegetable-based meat and dairy products aim to compete with traditional animal products?

They are designed to deliver the same taste and experience as the real thing, aiming to compete on equal terms with traditional animal products.

What are the advantages of lab-grown clean meat over conventional meat?

Lab-grown clean meat avoids the inefficiencies, pollution, and sanitary problems associated with conventional meat production.

How do digital vertical farms contribute to food sustainability?

Digital vertical farms decouple agriculture from climate constraints, reduce the global supply chain, and enable food to be grown where it's consumed, using less land and water.

What role do digital vertical farms play in addressing food deserts and job creation in cities?

They help address food deserts by providing fresh, local, and organic products, and they bring new kinds of jobs to cities by enabling urban agriculture.

How does understanding the human gut biome contribute to food sustainability and wellness?

Understanding the human gut biome allows for the identification of the best foods for individuals, helping to avoid obesity and diseases like diabetes, thus contributing to food sustainability and personal wellness.

What business challenges arise as food supply chains become shorter and more resource-efficient?

The challenges include implications for energy logistics, retail companies needing to adapt to local and sustainable food production, and the need for partnerships between food, retail, and healthcare sectors for personalized diets.

How is digital agriculture key to making cities smart and resilient?

Digital agriculture, through innovations like vertical farming and personalized diets, contributes to making cities smart and resilient by improving food sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing the overall quality of life.