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The Future of Food

Reimagining our food and food system

Today, the conscious consumer is looking to food to improve their physical and mental health and that of the planet. Innovations fuelled by advancements in science and technology are changing the game and provide a wide array of opportunities for organisations to thrive and make a meaningful impact on society.

Deloitte Australia’s Future of Food initiative seeks to bring various industry players together to rally around global grand challenge – from start-ups to large corporates across the full value chain. It aims to ignite change and looks to influence public policy where change is needed. This initiative is supported by a series of thought provoking publications and events that explore the latest trends and technologies in food, its societal implications and commercial opportunities for organisations.

Together we will feed the world we need.

    The Big Bite

    Innovations at the intersection of food and health are creating exciting opportunities for businesses and consumers to thrive. Technology and science is allowing us to take control over own health and mental wellbeing, it is also giving organisations the chance to launch meaningful products and services. Food is medicine and personalised, precision nutrition can become our future. This will move us from reactive to preventative care – tackling diseases before they occur and creating the best possible versions of ourselves. 

    In association with SingularityU Australia, Vanessa Matthijssen, our future of food leader speaks to CEOs, Chairs and leading scientists about the critical link between food and wellbeing in “The Big Bite”, our latest expert interview series. 

    Our latest insights

    • Accelerating the food industry’s journey to Nature Positive - The world is facing a triple crisis: climate disruption, loss of nature and food security. These issues are deeply interconnected and food is at the heart of this. 
    • Responsible waste management - Tackling food waste provides an enormous opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of food production. Moreover, food waste reduction has the potential to create business value. There is a surprisingly wide array of practices to reduce or ‘upcycle’ waste. It is key to understand which combination of practices will create the most impact and business value. A host of recent innovations can help bring clarity as well as solutions.
    • Responsible production - As the world grows to nearly 10 billion people in 2050, demand for food is expected to grow by more than 50 percent. Meanwhile, planetary boundaries are already under pressure, and the food and agriculture sector is a significant contributor. Scaling the current food system is therefore not an option. More effective and responsible production practices are needed.
    • Plant-based meats and their unstoppable growth - Despite COVID restrictions and lockdowns, consumer demand for plant-based meat products in Australia – such as meat-free burgers, sausages and ready meals – grew exponentially last year, according to a latest State of the Industry new report from Food Frontier with modelling by Deloitte Access Economics.
    • Exclusive Webinar Series: Reimagining our food and food systems - A webinar series designed explore how food, agricultural businesses and retailers can transform themselves to build more resilience in their networks and seize the opportunities that this new world has created. We profile examples of other organisations to ignite your own digital transformation journey in the areas of digital supply chains, the intersection of food and health, as well as transforming consumer connections.
    • Responsible nutrition – the opportunity for FMCGs & retailers - With an increasingly self-reliant, but insufficiently informed consumer, combined with limited government regulation, what role can consumer companies and retailers play to enable responsible nutrition choices?
    • Are GMO and Labgrown meat our best hope for survival? Humankind today is presented with what could be the most impactful paradox of all: how to feed the world nutritiously, without destroying the environment upon which it depends?
    • Reimagining QSRs and the customer experience - In a webinar hosted by QSR Media in late 2020, we unpacked the importance of integrating the “human touch into a touchless environment”. We also explored how rethinking certain aspects of operations such as approach to data, locations and reliance on third-party delivery companies can improve customer engagement.
    • Future of Food: Blog Compilation – Part 1 - This report is a collection of past blogs covering the following topics: • Overweight and Obese: the choice is ours as consumers or is it? • Future of Food: We are running out • Food tech - a blessing or a curse? • Future of food: What a waste • The craft movement
    • Future of Food: Blog Compilation – Part 2 - This report is a collection of past blogs covering the following topics: •3D printed food: just because we can, doesn’t always mean we should •In food we trust: the case for radical transparency •Innovation in food: the rise of start-ups, incubators and internal venture funds •Food as a medicine: the opportunity of DNA-based personalised nutrition •Australian food tax: ripe for a refresh?
    • A shock to the food system - The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged every fabric of modern society and has also exposed vulnerabilities in the food system. This report evaluates the impact of the pandemic on actors in the food system producers, processors, distributors, and consumers and the actions they can consider to recover and thrive. 
    • Blockchain technology drives growth in the fresh food industry - Evolving technologies are spurring collaboration, partnerships, investment, and new opportunities to improve product quality and reduce food waste. Our latest report offers unique insights into blockchain food innovations and their effect on this rapidly growing market.

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