With the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities programs under way, sustainability in the food system is experiencing more actionable momentum than ever. But what does it really take to make a measurable difference?

Recently, Rochelle Ripp Schnadt, Sr. PR Supervisor at C.O.nxt, had the opportunity to talk sustainability and the future of food with Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).

Their lively, wide-ranging conversation—available on our State of the Plate Podcast—covered everything from the recent Innovation Forum in Minneapolis, Minn., to important considerations when implementing Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities programs. Here are three key takeaways from their chat:

1. Voluntary Over Regulatory:

Voluntary efforts like Climate-Smart continue to have greater success than regulatory mandates in achieving the best sustainability outcomes—and that will continue to hold true moving forward.

2. There’s No Substitute for Getting in the Same Room:

Acknowledging that Eisenhower was right when he said, “farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field,” greater results do happen when those who understand all that’s involved in reaching sustainability goals have a seat at the table.

3. Sustainability + Productivity = Success:

It is possible to implement Climate-Smart programs and increase productivity on a farm—and the 2022 Global Agricultural Productivity Report shows how the total productivity factor equation can help make critical decisions.

Be sure to listen to the full discussion for more insights on how the food system can work together to achieve our collective sustainability goals.

In this episode we chat with NASDA CEO Ted McKinney about the future of food and achieving measurable sustainability, discuss a future that features a food-filled Mars, provide an update in the latest meat labeling legislation and taste test some truly horrifying social media food trends.

Published On: June 29th, 2023Categories: CSR and Sustainability

C.O.nxt Insight.

Our team of subject matter experts focuses on food and agriculture—farm field to processing to entrée on a plate. We can help you build a new brand, protect an old one or target customers to foster sales. Let’s talk when the time is right to handle your next strategic marketing and communications challenge: Marcy Tessmann, marcy@co-nxt.com.

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