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Sustainability, Nutrition & Health
CE Course 2010
Author: Marianne Smith Edge, MS, RD, LD, FADAEdited by:Lori Hoolihan, PhD, RDMaureen Bligh, MA, RD
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Course Objectives
o A better understanding of what the term “sustainability” encompasses
o Increased awareness of consumer trends regarding sustainability and health
o A greater understanding of current sustainable agricultural practices and issues
o Direction on counseling clients in ways that meet both their health needs and values related to sustainability
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The Balancing Act
Sustainable Agricultural Practices
with Health & Nutrition
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Recent Headlines
Going Green:
Outstanding Green
Business Practices
Another Chemical C
ould
Worsen Warm
ing
Pesticides Blamed
for Some
Childhood Brain
Cancers
Clean energy offers economic opportunities to farmers, ranchers and rural communities
10 Ways to Save
Money and Be Green
Ten Simple Things You Can
Do to Live More Sustainably
and Improve Your Health
and Quality of Life
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Global and U.S. Trends
o Consider the Facts:o By 2020, global population increases by 3 billiono By 2050, food consumption doubles and income triples
o Consider the Outcomes:o Carbon and water footprints will increaseo Impact of increased food production and distribution on
the environment
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Convergence of Health & Environment
The Institute for the Future describes the convergence as
“a social movement linking personal health to community ecology and
the environment”
… or “green health.”
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“Sustainability” is not a Household Word
o Almost three quarters (71%) of consumers say they don’t know or are uncertain which companies support sustainable values
o 75% of consumers say they don’t know or are uncertain which products are sustainable
The Hartman Group Sustainability Study, 2009
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The Role of Health Professionals
Accept the responsibility to understand the connection of food, health, and sustainability
Seek opportunities to guide consumers in making food purchases that will sustain the environment and their personal health
good for the environment
good for you
good for family
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Sustainability: A Process not a Prescription
“…Sustainability is an emerging concept… maintaining something indefinitely into the future. Consequently to be sustainable we have to anticipate and successfully adapt to the changes ahead. Sustainability is a process not a prescription.”
“ This process always requires social, ecological and economic dimensions. There is therefore, no simple definition. It is a journey we embark on together and not a formula we agree to.”
Source: Frederick Kirshenmann, Ph.D. Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 2008
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Healthy People, Planet, Profit
o “Sustainability is a question rather than an answer.”
o The “3 question test” to evaluate sustainable practices are:1) Is it economically feasible?2) Is it environmentally sound?3) Is it socially responsible?
Quote by the late Robert Rodale
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Connecting Food and Sustainability
o Our own sustainability connection with food production systems began over 10,000 yrs ago.
o Today, those systems support 6.7 billion people, but only adequately support 5.9 billion.
o Advances in agricultural technology in the past 40 yrs increased production to feed an additional 3.9 billion people with less than 10% more land use.
Gold, Mary V. “Sustainable Agriculture, Definitions and Terms, NAL/USDA ,ISSN 1052-5368
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Assuring Adequate Food Supply
o By 2050, the U.S. population will increase almost 50% to 439 million.
o Available farmland is projected to decrease.
o The future “supply and demand” of food vs. land requires urgency to develop strategies that are both sustainable and efficient.
Agricultural Research Vol 57 (8); 2009, ARS/USDA
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What is Sustainable Agriculture?
An integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:
o Satisfy human food and fiber needs
o Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base
o Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources, integrating natural biological cycles and controls
o Sustain the economic viability of farms
o Enhance quality of life for farmers and society
Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990
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“Consumers are not simply ‘born’ into the World of Sustainability; they first must develop a frame of mind to even participate in the World … either from the notion of risk or inspiration of hope for the future and a desire to do and feel good.”
The Hartman Group Sustainability Report, 2009
Consumer Viewpoint
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The Sustainability Umbrella
Local/Community Connection
Healthy
The Hartman Group Sustainability Study, 2008
HopeSimple living
AuthenticityControl
Care/Nurturing
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The Personal Connection
Some consumers view organic and sustainability through the lens of personal benefits:
o Absence of pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, or growth hormones
o Absence of artificial flavors, colors and preservativeso Non-genetically modifiedo Environmentally-friendly
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How important is Sustainability to the Consumer?
•consider sustainability to be a dominant or primary decision-making factor in many merchandise categories
1 in 5
•influenced by sustainability as a consideration.1 in 3
•“actively consider” sustainability issues as one of their decision-making factors in product and store selection.
54% leaning green
Source: 2009 Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) study
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How Important is Sustainability to the Consumer?
“Almost 90% of consumers believe in the health-environment connection, but only about 26% of them have changed their behavior to ensure a healthier environment.”
The Hartman Group Sustainability Report 2009
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What do Supermarket RDs Think?
K Buch: Healthy Earth, Healthy Eating: Connecting Sustainability with Health & Wellness, FNCE 2009.
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Seeking Sustainable Choices
Consumers are seeking:o Food products with simple, familiar ingredients they can
trust
o More pure/fresh/natural
o Foods that are fresh or minimally processed with fewer additives with ingredients they can pronounce
o Reductions in unnecessary packaging without compromising food safety.
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Sustainability is Here to Stay
o Sustainable behaviors are not declining
o Consumers making deliberate decisions and tradeoffs in less essential food/ household items.
o Baby Boomers are the main purchasers of sustainably-related products now.
o Generation Y’s talking the “talk” and predicted to move sustainability into mainstream.
The Hartman Group Sustainability Survey, 2009
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The World of Sustainability
Sustainability efforts are a joint responsibility of many parties:
o Individuals and families
o Health professionals;
o Retailers
o Food industry (producers and manufacturers)
o Government
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Understanding the World of Sustainability
o Carbon Footprint: The amount of green house gas emitted during the “farm to fork” food cycle, expressed in tons of Carbon Dioxide.
o Carbon Neutral: Reducing the amount of greenhouse gas and "offsetting” what is left after the reductions.
o Food miles: Distance food travels from the source until it reaches the consumer or end-user. One of several indicators to assess the environmental impact of food.
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The Economics of Sustainability
Creation of local markets/ regional food systems can:
halt the exodus of local food dollars
re-circulate dollars within the community from farm to point of purchase
create new jobs!
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The Economics of Sustainability
o According to ARS/USDA, some of our food travels up to 2,000 miles (depending on season) and over 50% is imported.
o Regional/ local food systems can reduce the number of miles our food travels before it reaches the plate.
o Excessive food miles are a result of our desire for variety (regardless of season or location) and good health.
100-Mile Diet: http://100milediet.org
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Sustainable Practices
Production Both conventional and organic
Minimize Packaging
Waste reduction- Agriculture can convert animal waste
into “on the farm” electrical power or fertilizer, and use byproducts from food processing for animal feed
- 40% of all food waste is at consumer level. Consumers can buy less, eat less, store and preserve food properly.
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Is Organic Sustainable?
Consider the facts:o Organic production does limit use of pesticides,
herbicides, synthetic fertilizers
o Majority of organic production is large scale
o Similar food miles as conventional products for distribution
o Soil and water conversation practices may be equivalent to conventional
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Connecting the Dots—Health & Sustainability
Marianne Smith Edge, MS, RD, LD, FADA
Former President of the American Dietetic Association
Nationally recognized consultant to the food and health industry
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Defining Sustainable Practices: On the Farm
o Leonardo Academy developing an American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture by 2012….the first step in identifying sustainable practices.
o The ultimate outcomes: a “sustainable agriculture” label stamped on food products and reward system for farmers doing “things right.”
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Defining Sustainable Practices: Food Production
o Research universities working with companies, commodities groups and retail chains to identify ways to improve environmental performance of the food supply chain.
o Projects include reduction of transportation cost, package reconfiguration, carbon trading & carbon credits, “on farm practices”
o Researchers at Univ of Arkansas are working with the dairy industry to improve the sustainability of a gallon of milk.
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Lifecycle Assessment of Milk
Sustainability Summit: Creating Value through Dairy Innovation, DMI 2009
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Defining Sustainable Practices: Food Production
Ying Wang, Ph.D.
Director, Life Cycle Analysis
Dairy Management Inc.
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Defining Sustainable Practices: Retail
“The retail industry is focusing on key areas of sustainability including sourcing sustainable food, especially seafood, packaging and water footprint reduction as well as creating ‘green’ buildings.”
The Food Marketing Institute
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The Sustainability Equation
Taste + Convenience + Nutrition + Price =
Sustaining Health for All
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Translating Sustainability into Dietary Choices
Sustainability & Health—Compatible or Divergent?
o Reducing intake of animal foods may reduce our carbon footprint, but do we consume less of the daily required nutrients?
o How realistic is “locally-produced” food in most regions of the U.S.? Can a balanced diet be achieved using this criteria in most communities?
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Watch for the Carbon Counters!
www.eatlowcarbon.org
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Sustainability: The Home Component
Creating a sustainable future involves the consumer considering all of the following:
o The choice of food purchased
o The packaging of the purchased food
o Storage of the food at home
o Serving size and waste
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Sustainability at Home: Purchases
o Connect the consumer’s desire for fresh, simple foods with one ingredient foods—fish, fruit, beans, dairy, vegetables.
o Emphasize MyPyramid serving sizes and amounts to reduce cost, waste and waist line.
o Educate consumer about buying the most nutrition for the dollar—the “nutrient rich” way.
o Promote buying foods in season, from local sources, with minimal packaging and fewer ingredients.
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Sustainability at Home: Planning, Preparation and Cooking
o Connect sustainable eating with the “return to the kitchen.”
o Create opportunities for consumers to perfect cooking, meal planning and preservation skills.
o Work with supermarkets to create “sustainable food” tours-identifying foods that are good for you and the environment.
o Utilize resources—websites, Cooperative Extension Services, professional organizations. www.mealsmatter.org
www.Kategeagan.com
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Practicing Sustainability: Key Messages
o A healthy diet includes all food groups and “nutrient-rich” foods.
o Healthy diets = healthy bodies, healthy people.
o Go “back-to-the-basics”– re-discover the pantry and the kitchen!
o Plan menus in order to buy just the amount of food needed and minimize food waste.
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Practicing Sustainability: Key Messages
o Encourage purchasing food with less packaging, transportation, and waste
o Think “balance” when buying food: footprint, nutrient contribution and preference
o Utilize websites and resources for information
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The Future of Sustainability
o The “sustainability factor” is here to stay, but balancing evidence-based science with “emotional” science will be the essential ingredient for acceptance by all.
o “Tomorrow’s consumers are concerned…but in different ways than today’s consumers. The topics of ‘simple living,’ ‘all natural,’ ‘social activism,’ ‘eat local’ and ‘animal welfare’ resonate with teenagers.”
The Hartman Group Sustainability Survey, 2009
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The Health Professional’s Role in the World of Sustainability
Communicator—create the conversation with consumers & industry.
Educator—provide guidance to consumers about sustainable food choices.
Scientist—develop nutrition guidance and recommendations that integrate sustainable practices.
Influencer—work with food and agriculture industry to provide sustainably-produced foods.
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Sustainability is...
“Sustaining life, sustaining health for you, your family, your community and the world.”