The impact of climate change, political instability and the weight of food-related diseases on our wealthy societies become the longer the more visible and a lack of target-oreinted measures jeopardizes global food security. In contract to the ignorance of climate change by political leaders in other regions, Europe shows a lot of ambition to make the food system more sustainable. Greenhouse gas emissions related to food production, and especially to farming, should be reduced drastically. No doubt, we need to eat more healthy. Costs for health care become exuberant. In order to turn the tight, we should eat less salt, fat and sugar, more fruit and vegetables, and lower our meat consumption.. which makes it a good argument to start a dialogue with vegetable growers delivering to the frozen vegetable industry.
Vegetable growers: tradition and innovation
On the 17th of January, I was invited to a meeting of Unigrow. UNIGROW is specialized in innovative agricultural solutions that improve crop yield and sustainability. UNIGROW aims to support farmers in optimizing their production processes while promoting environmentally friendly practices. The meeting took place in Doornik, close to the heart of the frozen vegetable industry of Belgium.
The frozen vegetable industry is rooted in a tradition of entrepreneurship in the West of Flanders, going back to the 60s of last century. The sector has increased over the last decades and covers a diversity of commodities. Simultaneously, a close cooperation between growers and the food manufacturing companies has developed. These growers are not only located in West Flanders but also in Wallonia, North of France and The Netherlands. They deliver a wide range of products, among others peas, carrots, beans, cauliflower and sprouts.
Challenges for the sector
The sector is confronted with enormous challenges. Like most subsectors in farming, vegetable production has been confronted with several very bad years, including drought and excessive rain fall. Simultaneously, the price of inputs such as fertilizers has increased; regulation in terms of food hygiene and environmental friendly production becomes more strict, and the pressure on food prices also affects the market of the frozen vegetables. Further bundling forces, between growers as well as between growers and the other actors in the chain, will be a must to remain competitive.
the sector is confronted with enormous challenges. Like most subsectors in farming, vegetable production has been confronted with several very bad years, including drought and excessive rain fall. Simultaneously, the price of inputs such as fertilizers has increased; regulation in terms of food hygiene and environmental friendly production becomes more strict, and the pressure on food prices also affects the market of the frozen vegetables. Further bundling forces, between growers as well as between growers and the other actors in the chain, will be a must to remain competitive.
A critical audience
Farmers are a critical audience. Many comments and questions are raised. Don’t we rely too much on technology and innovation? What is the message for our children? Is there still a future for farming in our region? Targets are not realistic, sometimes even contra-productive. But what should we do?
The dialogue brings food for thought. I do learn a lot from this kind of conversations. We are indeed focusing too much on technology and innovation, while neglecting the broader picture and the need for structural changes.
Peas and Beans: part of the protein shift
In my view, the benefits of frozen vegetables are underrepresented in the public food debate where a disproportional attendance goes to local, organic and seasonal food. Frozen vegetables are as healthy as fresh vegetables. The time between harvesting and processing is kept to a minimum which helps to keep the nutritional value of the product. Food processing companies have also invested in technologies to lower food waste and to reuse waste streams. And finally, the actors in the frozen vegetable sector may play an important role in the framework of the protein shift. Is there anything more simple yet impactful than to promote some more green peas on our plate, or learn our kids to make a tasty pea soup?