Food Processing Sustainability

Consumers are incorporating sustainability efforts in nearly every aspect of life, and what they buy at the grocery store is not an exception to this trend. The sustainability movement has completely taken the world by storm, with many industries making the shift to keep up with the demand of the masses and improve their sustainability. Here are some statistics from Forbes to demonstrate just how widespread the consumer demand for sustainability is becoming:

• • • 65% of consumers are looking for products that can aid them in living more sustainably and socially responsible
    • 60% of consumers buy products and services from companies that operate by being socially and/or environmentally conscious
    • 54% of consumers try to purchase products or services specifically from brands that advocate for social or environmental issues
    • 43% of consumers will purchase from brands with a large, well-known purpose rather than from competitor brands without a known purpose

Gaining insight from these percentages, the Food Processing Industry is not going to be exempt from the sustainability shift that consumers are demonstrating. Adopting a more sustainable approach takes time and thoughtful planning. Here are four ways that the food processing industry is increasingly adopting more sustainability in their operations:

1. Incorporating Eco-Friendly Packaging:

The shift away from plastic packaging is the future and is one of the primary ways that the food processing industry can contribute to a more sustainable way of business. Over 78 million tons of plastic packaging are produced each year, yet only 14% of that is recycled. This, unfortunately, means, that the majority of plastic will end up in a landfill. Alternative methods of packaging that are more environmentally friendly include wood, paper, and other biodegradable resources. Starting on the path of becoming environmentally conscious can begin with making this simple change.

2. Reducing Food Waste:

1.3 billion tons of food in the United States gets wasted every year; this equates to nearly a third of all food that is produced. Investing time, money, and resources into food production just for so much to get wasted is upsetting, and nearly half of all of this food waste occurs during processing and manufacturing. Finding ways to reduce food waste such as optimizing management and processing strategies and systems can contribute greatly to lessening the amount of waste. Efficiency and optimization are key to ensuring quality production. Implementing an ERP such as SAP Business One can help streamline and help the processes become more effective.

3. Improving Transportation and Distribution Methods:

Being a sustainable food processor is just as important in the transportation and methods of distribution as it is during the production and packaging process. Implementing a seamless transportation strategy that includes best practices for food preservation is an integral way to reduce the amount of food waste that occurs during transportation. Utilizing software solutions that help with the streamlining and management of transportation and distribution routes and techniques is a great way to increase sustainability efforts. On the consumer side of things, it is important to shop locally, when possible, to support the local food producers.

4. Utilizing Sustainable Ingredients:

Agricultural practices have developed growing concerns in recent years regarding their sustainability factors. Deforestation and habitat destruction are just two of the biggest concerns when dealing with agriculture. Affecting where food manufacturers and processors are getting their goods from. To be certain they are only purchasing sustainable ingredients that are not harmful to the environment, those industries can source high-risk ingredients responsibly, just as the UTZ/Rainforest Alliance does for coffee, tea, and cocoa. Setting these strict standards on where the produce comes from and making certain it is sourced sustainably is a great way to contribute to the cause.  

Overall, sustainability is the way of the future, for both the food processing industry and consumers. The best way to follow suit is to become familiar with the steps required to begin on the road of becoming more sustainable. By implementing technologies to help this process occur, businesses achieve results more seamlessly and with less distress to business and production. SAP values purpose and sustainability while helping businesses run better.

Here at Softengine, we are a SAP Gold Partner and we too have a commitment to helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals with the help of our ERP solutions. Powered by SAP Business One, our team developed an extension, Food One, specifically to help small to midsize food businesses achieve their specific goals. We understand the requirements and needs of the food industry, and with many years of experience, pride ourselves in helping our customers grow and manage their food business with ease.

For Information on Sustainability in the Food Industry, download our Whitepaper on our website: Sustainabilty in the Food Industry – Whitepaper | Softengine

Learn more about our fully integrated ERP Solution designed specifically for the food and beverage industry: FoodOne | 2021’s Top Food ERP | SAP Business One (softengine.com)

Information on SAP’s sustainability mission can be found here https://www.sap.com/about/company/purpose-and-sustainability.html.  

References:

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffromm/2020/11/10/sustainable-food-trends-will-become-center-of-the-plate-with-modern-consumers/?sh=4d9a79bb4fe6 
2. https://certification.bureauveritas.com/magazine/4-ways-make-food-processing-more-sustainable 
3. How to Make Food Processing More Sustainable (intelligentliving.co)