558: Is the food industry playing it safe with new products?
Think back to the times in your life when you saw a food product on a shelf that really stopped you in your tracks and made you say "wow".
Maybe it even ended up disrupting a whole sector, with competitors rushing to emulate the success of that particular product.
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Raps, we ask a simple question: Are we seeing enough genuine innovation in the food and drink sector, or is the industry playing it safe?
We discuss the challenges of new product development, the importance of genuine innovation, and the role of consumer trends in shaping food products.
Along the way, we delve into some of the complex questions around product formulation and the need for culinary creativity to meet evolving consumer demands and eating habits
Raps is taking on a key role at Food Matters Live in Ascot in October 2025.
Guests:
Leo Bewers, Business Development Chef, Raps UK
Leila Lawrence, Market Development Manager, Raps UK
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30:03
557: The role of data in reducing emissions in the food industry
It is clear that having access to good data is a key requirement for any food business trying to reach sustainability targets, but what does that look like in practice?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event held in Manchester in November 2024, we hear from a leading figure about their journey with data and sustainability.
Meredith Ford is Head of Sustainability for the UK and Ireland at SSP International, a food service provider operating in airports and train stations all around the world.
Meredith shares insights on leveraging data to analyse carbon footprints, the importance of prioritising actions based on data, and the challenges of changing consumer perceptions about sustainability.
She also highlights various experiments conducted to optimise menus and product ranges for lower carbon impact, emphasising the alignment of sustainability with commercial goals.
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25:13
556: Emissions targets - whose targets are they?
The whole of the food industry is affected by science-based targets on sustainability - but whose targets are they?
Are we aiming to satisfy consumer demand, the wants and needs of investors, or is the industry simply following what regulators say needs to be done?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Manchester in November 2024, our expert panel offer their views on who is driving the push for sustainability.
The discussion also delves into the challenges of data integrity, the significance of Scope 3 emissions, and the need for supplier engagement.
They delve into the evolving landscape of sustainability within organisations, focusing on carbon literacy, fish stock management, climate disclosures, and the integration of science-based targets.
Gina Camfield, Head of ESG, Aramark UK & Global Offshore
Paul Irwin-Rhodes, Head of Sustainability and SHE, Greggs
Chris Shearlock, Sustainability Director Europe, Thai Union
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39:01
555: Regenerative farming: The power of partnerships
How can partnerships help overcome the barriers to regenerative agriculture and drive lasting change in the food system?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Manchester in November 2024, we once again explore how industry is embracing the move towards regenerative agriculture, but crucially through the lense of the power of partnerships.
Our panel discusses the importance of financial incentives for farmers, the barriers to adopting regenerative practices, and the need for a systemic change in the agricultural sector.
They also highlight the significance of measuring outcomes beyond carbon reduction, such as biodiversity and soil health, to ensure the long-term success of regenerative agriculture.
Guests:
Andrew Voysey, Chief Impact officer, Soil Capital
Luc Beerens, Global Sustainable Sourcing Director, Mars Incorporated
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30:03
554: Sustainable nutrition - plant-based and beyond
Does ultra-processed plant-based food have a role to play in the future of sustainable nutrition?
Huge strides have been made in the plant-based sector and benefits continue to be discovered, yet the market is plateauing.
With an increasing backlash against ultra-processed foods targeting the sector, plant-based doesn’t always carry the allure it once did.
Has the opportunity been over-hyped or can new ingredients and technologies inject new life and nutritional value into the market?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Manchester in 2024, an expert panel discusses the potential role the plant-based sector has to play in the shifting the food industry to a more sustainable, more nutritious future.
Guests:
Indy Kaur, Founder, Plant Futures
Professor Alexandra Johnstone, the Rowett Research Institute of Nutrition and Health, the University of Aberdeen
Dr Marjolijn Bragt, Programme Manager, Nutrition for Optimal Health, Wageningen Food and Biobased Research
Emer Lowry, Partner, Sustainability and Ethics Specialist in Health, Waitrose
Welcome to the Food Matters Live podcast – where we showcase the innovations, the big ideas, and the visionaries in the food industry.
We dig deep, we look to the future and the past, and we question everything we think we know about food.
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