Solidaridad and the University of California, Berkeley jointly host workshop on Innovation in Agrifood Supply Chains.

BERKELEY, CA-- On April 18 and 19, 2018, the College of Natural Resources, at the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with Solidaridad North America, will hold its third annual training workshop on “Innovation in Agrifood Supply Chains: People-Planet-Profitability.” The program will examine innovation in the agrifood sector, from business, social and environmental perspectives.

The global food and beverage industry is facing some of the most pressing global challenges of our times including water scarcity, resource depletion, food insecurity and climate change. Companies face risks in securing quality inputs for their business, even as they need to adapt to rapidly changing market preferences. Growing attention, by consumers and investors, to food safety, transparency and sustainability is adding a new dynamic to the industry. Employing millions people globally, the agrifood sector is also addressing challenges such as poor labor practices and human rights issues.

Creating a more sustainable food production and consumption system will require holistic solutions that encompass the entire supply chain. Innovation is key to unleashing the transformative potential of supply chains, to increase profitability, sustainability and social well being.

The two-day workshop that will bring together business leaders, practitioners, researchers and innovators to present the best of theory and practice in supply chain innovation and sustainability. The sessions will offer concepts, strategies and practical case studies. The agenda also includes hands-on case working sessions to facilitate shared problem-solving and consolidation of concepts covered in the program. A certificate of completion from the University of California, Berkeley, will also be provided at the end of the program.

This training is targeted at emerging and senior leaders, scholars, policy makers and professionals associated with the agrifood industry. Members of the non-profit and public sectors who are engaged with the sector will also greatly benefit from the program.

The program will be led by Dr. David Zilberman, Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC Berkeley and Dr. Tom Reardon, Professor, Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University. The workshop has been developed together with Solidaridad North America, an international non-profit organization with over 45 years of experience in facilitating the development of socially responsible, environmentally sound, and economically viable commodity supply chains.

A stellar international lineup from industry, academia, civil society, and government, including companies such as Costco, Bunge, Mars, and Netafim have been invited. Nico Roozen, Executive Director of Solidaridad Network, and Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes from the University of Guelph have been confirmed as speakers. Stay tuned for more updates!

The program is being organized by the International and Executive Programs at the College of Natural Resources, UC Berkeley and Solidaridad North America. It is part of the Global Food Summit, Germany and is supported by the University of Guelph, Canada.

For more information on the program, registrations and early bird discounts, view the program website

 

Organizers



International and Executive Programs



Solidaridad

Sponsors



Giannini Foundation



University of Guelph, College of Business and Economics

Collaborators



Global Food Summit