JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – 11 March 2021. Achieving a thriving and sustainable circular economy in the food industry across the Southern Africa region, has potential to drive economic growth. However, achieving this goal will require collaboration and innovation by different stakeholders who share a common vision.
This was revealed at the first virtually-hosted Sustainability Webinar by Nestlé East and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) in collaboration with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership SA, today. The four-part series, held under the theme: “A Southern African Regenerative Food System” will explore circularity across agriculture, processing & packaging, distribution & logistics, consumption as well as disposal/waste in the food industry.
“World-wide demand for food is growing and while eating habits and behaviours are changing, there is demand on food manufacturers to ensure that their production does not impact the planet. At the same time, agricultural supply chains face many challenges, from an aging farming population to the effects of climate change. At Nestlé, we want to help build a sustainable, long-term supply of ingredients by focusing on regenerative practices,” stated Saint-Francis Tohlang, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Director at Nestlé ESAR.
Climate change is already having a global impact, as is evident from shifting weather patterns and reduced resource availability. Everyone will feel the effect of these changes, from the farmers who supply food-manufacturing companies to the consumers.
“As the world's largest food and beverage company, we share these concerns and remain cognizant that a sustainable circular economy cannot be realised without transformative actions. To demonstrate our commitments, we partnered with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership SA to begin to drive and lead these industry conversations; which we aim to turn into practical solutions. After all, a waste-free future is the utopia we all aspire to,” concluded Tohlang.
Today’s webinar featured presentations and panel discussions with some of Africa’s leading sustainability experts, with attendance from representatives from government, manufacturers, policy makers as well as retailers.
To register for the upcoming webinars, please register on https://rfs.cislsaonline.co.za/
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Contact
Zweli Mnisi, Corporate Spokesperson
Nestlé East and Southern Africa Region
Tel: 082 312 8940
Email: [email protected]
About Nestlé
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. It is present in 187 countries around the world, and its 291,000 employees are committed to Nestlé’s purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality for everyone, today and for generations to come. Nestlé offers a wide portfolio of products and services for people and their pets throughout their lives. Its more than 2,000 brands range from global icons like Nescafé or Nespresso to local favorites like Ricoffy. Company performance is driven by its Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy. Nestlé is based in the Swiss town of Vevey where it was founded more than 150 years ago.