Next month's Sustainable Foods Summit, which takes place in Amsterdam on 6-7 June, will focus on ways to lower the environmental footprint of food and beverage products, as well as methods to change consumer behaviour.
The burning question facing organic and sustainable brands is how to break through the 'green glass ceiling' and appeal to wider consumer groups while maintaining their core green values.
According to the event's organiser, Organic Monitor, the answer appears to be marketing, as shown by the success of retailers like Co-op Switzerland and Whole Foods Market in gaining significant market shares.
A session on marketing developments will see Veronica Rubio of BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) explain the difficulties faced by retailers in balancing environmental-social issues and building transparent supply chains.
Another on consumer behaviour will focus on the means to encourage sustainability at the consumer level, touching on the motives behind sustainable food purchases.
A discussion on sustainable food cities will also examine the role of sustainable food systems in alleviating environmental, economic and social issues in urban areas, while the Soil Association's Tom Andrews will look at how public-private partnerships can help build local food systems that benefit both consumers and growers.
