JANUARY - FEBRUARY 20268IN MY OPINIONBY JULIE OWST, HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY, BIDFOOD UKTHE UNDERVALUED YET PRICELESS INGREDIENT IN FOOD SUPPLY The sustainability of food supply is often a hot topic for discussion in the industry, whether it's due to poor harvests, the carbon impact of conventionally farmed meat and dairy, deforestation, biodiversity impacts, regenerative farming principles, the list goes on. Yet strangely, water, which fuels all food supply, is rarely discussed, which is staggering, when you consider that 72 percent of global freshwater is used in agricultural production (UNESCO). It grows our crops, raises our livestock and keeps our entire food system moving. But our water systems are under threat and if we care about being able to eat in the future, we should care about water. Without water, there's no food and therefore no future.Many factors threaten water, and glaciers, a vast store of freshwater, are rapidly diminishing. This loss directly impacts water in food supply, as glaciers provide crucial irrigation for crops. The Himalayas for example, hold the world's third-largest store of glacier ice and provide water for around 129 million farmers. It doesn't take long to realise that shrinking glaciers threaten rice production. India supplies most of the UK's basmati rice, a key ingredient in the UK's favourite dish, chicken tikka masala! When seasonal glacial melting fails to provide enough water, farmers turn to groundwater, increasing pressure on this vital resource.Research in the US showed that unlike action on climate, which is politically controversial amongst voters, concerns about water transcend conventional political divides and this is likely to be the case in other countries too. Unlike carbon emissions, which create a longer-term impact, globally and unequally, water concerns hit closer to home with greater urgency.Julie Owst is a sustainability leader who has helped redefine what responsible business looks like in the foodservice industry. With a strong focus on ESG integration and circular economy principles, she has guided large-scale cultural shifts that embed sustainability into business strategy and daily operations. Her leadership continues to inspire industry-wide collaboration toward a more sustainable food future.Julie Owst
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