The Future 50 Foods Launch
Average read time: 2 minutes
In light of this, Knorr, in association with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), decided to be the change they want to see in the world. They developed a report on the Future 50 Foods which provides a tangible solution to how we can reduce the negative impact our food has on the environment. It also examines how we can help feed the growing global population.
An excerpt from the report states, “globally we rely on a small range of foods. This negatively impacts our health and the health of the planet. Seventy-five percent of the global food supply comes from only 12 plant and five animal species. Just three (rice, maize, wheat) make up nearly 60 percent of calories from plants in the entire human diet.” Another scary stat is that “since 1900, a staggering 75 percent of the genetic plant diversity in agriculture has been lost”. Relying on such a narrow range of crops has serious negative consequences on the delicate natural eco-systems, and therefore poses a real risk to food security.
The list of plant-based foods ranges from the surprising and new such as cactus, teff, and hemp seed, to more familiar foods like quinoa, pumpkin flowers, and spinach. It makes for a fascinating read as each foodstuff has its own story to tell. The criteria for selection of ingredients depends on factors such as yield, impact, nutritional value, and ease of farming.
The good news is that many South African foods have made the cut. The report reinforces the fact that many of our ancient African ingredients such as cow peas and millet should be making their way back onto modern plates. Our ancestors knew it all along!
The report was launched in Europe and the US in early 2019 and we are excited to announce that it will be launched in South Africa in the very near future. So keep an eye on the press for more healthy food revelations and recipes using these future-fit ingredients.