Progressive Grocer - May 2009 - (Page 38)

Grocery List Consumer Insight The Lempert Report Grow the Food Supply, Save the World It’s about more than just sustainability, it’s about feeding the earth. By Phil Lempert Experts estimate the amount of food produced in the next 40 years will have to match the amount produced in the previous 10,000 years, despite a changing climate and fewer key resources. P ractically every retailing or food-focused conference and met with passionate farmers who quite effectively have increased their production output. These farmincludes at least a half-dozen sessions on sustainability. ers are looking at their crops holistically — and that’s Companies large and small, and consumers — exactly what we need to do when it comes to putting sustainability into Democrats or Republicans — all practice. SupermarketGuru.com asked food producers One of my seem aligned around the fact that where, geographically, climate conditions have concerns is, as we the biggest effect on food supply: unless we initiate major efforts to help the envilook to be more ronment, our planet and its people are doomed. sustainable, a lot California: 7% of discussion is Florida: 7% However, what I don’t see a lot of discussion duced in the previcentered on Midwest about is just how we’re going to keep the popula- ous 10,000 years. “local.” But the (OH, IA, IL, IN, MN, WI and nearby states): 28% tion of the planet fed. And there’s no more important Food production will truth is that there issue surrounding sustainability than that. also have to increase are not enough Plains States By 2050, the world’s population is estimated in spite of a changfoods grown or (TX, OK, KS, NB and nearby states) : 7% to reach 9 billion, which is 40 percent higher than ing climate and fewer animals raised Eastern States: 28% today’s population. At the same time, the world’s key resources, such as within 100 miles Not in the U.S.: 24% dietary interests are expected to continue chang- water, land and of every person on ing. For example, since 1980, global production energy. the planet to of meat has more than doubled. In the developing No industry impacts water and land more than make local a reality. What we must do is to finally world, meat consumption has tripled. agriculture. Agriculture alone is estimated to use 70 define what sustainability means for the food world, Today, feeding hungry mouths is no small task. percent of fresh water — in the developing world, and then educate retailers, manufacturers and shoppers. Production of meat and dairy, which are major that percentage is closer to 95 percent — and 55 perWe must collectively use the tools of plant dietary sources of protein, uses 30 percent of Earth’s cent of habitable land. The World Water Council breeding, biotechnology and improving agronomic land surface, 70 percent of agricultural land, and suggests we will need 17 percent more water than practices in order to achieve yields in crops like accounts for 8 percent of water use, mostly to irri- what is currently available if we are going to feed the corn and soybeans to double from their 2000 avergate feed crops. world by 2020. ages by the year 2030. By achieving that goal, we’ll And as our numbers grow and the trend most So, with all of that in mind, it’s safe to say that be well positioned to help meet the growing food likely will continue toward increased meat con- the world is facing some complex agricultural chal- demands of our growing population, sustainably. sumption, this means that food production will lenges. We must put in place innovations to help allehave to double to meet future demand. viate these challenges. From better plant breeding and Phil Lempert is one of the nation’s leading trend analysts and Doubling sounds like a lot, but on-farm improvement, science will consumerologists. He is the food editor of NBC’s “Today” More ONLINE take it a step further and put it into have to play a major part in helping show, SupermarketGuru.com, FactsFiguresFuture.com, and XtremeRetail.com; the host of the syndicated radio context. Experts estimate the amount to deliver the solutions we need. For additional consumer insights, go to of food produced in the next 40 years I recently attended the Canadian show “Shopping Smart”; and an author. Progressivegrocer.com will have to match the amount proCanola Council’s annual meeting He can be reached at PLempert@SupermarketGuru.com. A H E A D O F W H AT ’ S N E X T 38 • Progressive Grocer • May 2009 www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.SupermarketGuru.com http://www.SupermarketGuru.com http://www.FactsFiguresFuture.com http://www.XtremeRetail.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com http://www.progressivegrocer.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Progressive Grocer - May 2009

Progressive Grocer - May 2009
Contents
Nielsen's Shelf Stoppers/Spotlight: Candy/Chocolate Candy
Market Snapshot: Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.
The 76th Annual Report of the Grocery Industry: Opportunity Knocking
Industry Ranking: The Super 50
Independents Report: IGA's Stores Down Under Are Experts at Giving Back
Lempert Report: Sustainable Agriculture is the Key to Feeding the World
Store of the Month: Angels in the City
United Fresh Product Forecast: Save-A-Lot Savors Suite Life at United Fresh
Meat/Seafood: A Signature Cut
Show Preview: IDDBA's Dairy-Deli-Bake 2009
Beverage Alcohol: A Heads-Up for Hops
Confectionery: Eye Candy
Hand-Held Frozen Entrees: Holding On
Coffee: Bean Counters
Private Label Trends: Private Practice
HBC: A Healthy Boost
Technology Case Study: Employ Automated Hiring
Equipment: Reach for Safety
What's Next Editors' Picks for Innovative Products
General Merchandise Taking Stock

Progressive Grocer - May 2009