The world produces enough food to feed every individual, yet almost 690 million people continue to go hungry. The irony is that many of those who are undernourished spend their days growing food for others. Smallholder farmers, who cultivate less than 5 acres of land, constitute a large portion of the world’s poor living on less than $2 a day, according to World Bank estimates.
Wholesum Harvest is the first farm in the United States to receive certification from Fair Trade USA, which means it has demonstrated compliance with a checklist of more than 300 standards detailing working conditions and environmental protection.
As urban centers rapidly expand, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, smallholder farmers are and will continue to be on the frontlines of global food security. With the right tools and training we know these farmers are incredibly resilient.
Changing climate and strained ecological systems in West Africa intensify pressure from population growth, urbanization, and conflict over resources, all of which pose a substantial threat to economic growth and people in the region. Communities face recurring droughts, floods, food insecurity and famine, and population displacement.
Many of West Africa’s 340 million residents are facing serious risks due to a rapidly changing climate. A series of interconnected direct and indirect drivers of resource degradation—illegal and unsustainable logging, wildlife poaching and trafficking, poverty, population growth, and weak governance—threaten the sustainability of key transboundary resources; undermine the ability of the region’s human and natural systems to respond and adapt to anthropogenic shocks and stressors; and in turn, compromise sustained and broad-based economic growth.
Indonesia is considered a mega-diverse country, with 17,493 tropical islands containing some of the highest levels of biological diversity across the globe.
Tamara Coger of Tetra Tech’s Environment and Natural Resources sector discusses the benefits of investing in sustainable natural resources management to people, societies, and economies around the world. All opinions expressed in this post are the author’s own.
Having served for most of my career in the public sector and now with one year of private sector experience at DuPont, I see now, more than ever, the importance of public-private partnerships. I firmly believe we can leverage the leadership and innovation that a company like DuPont wields to establish a responsive and sustainable agriculture industry that helps address our food security challenges.
When you think about the many ways that technology has shaped your life, what comes to mind first? Maybe it’s faster communication, or lifesaving healthcare. But what about fruit salad? It’s easy to forget, but with today’s complex food supply chains there are some surprising technologies behind many of our favorite meals—even the simple things we enjoy every day.
General Mills’ 2017 Global Responsibility Report highlights much of our important work and progress over the last year across four key focus areas: our food, our planet, our workplace and our community.
Cargill is committed to ensuring a sustainable cocoa supply chain by enabling farmers to produce more and improve their livelihoods. As part of Cargill’s broader commitment to end deforestation, the cocoa supply chain is taking steps to protect forests and focus production on existing farmland.
Everyone’s financial journey is different. We make intentional efforts to meet the individual needs of clients and communities through a diverse range...
Highlighting the top news, commentary, and research for the week coming from SHQ. The highlights newsletter also spotlights one profiled organization...
