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Food industry innovation, dedication, and persistence is amazing. Collaboration can be exemplary. So why bother further integrating knowledge across the food system? 

Because we’re missing easy opportunities to add quality to human life; we’re getting sicker; and we’re dying younger because our food system still coordinates poorly in critical ways. 

Joint research with Dr. Steve Greenspan:

The food system has evolved spectacularly over the past century. Consider a  favorite memory of Rod’s eldest son, Devin, as a toddler.

I’m lying with my tummy on the floor looking straight into the clear, blue eyes of then three-year old Devin. 

Devin giggles, grabbing the mouth watering Belgian chocolates from the suitcase. Devin’s brown mustache is the only proof the Dutch cocoa ever existed.

Wonderful indulgence is common today. Even treats from far away are commonplace, and that is the result of industrial progress and technological advance. 

However, such headway has come with a cost: easy-access indulgence is more tempting than ever. When combined with other societal change, we find that obesity is global, we miss easy opportunities to enhance wellness with nutrition, and our health is suffering. 

We are enduring unintended consequences. No food industry leader ever said, “Let’s increase efficiency to help consumers gain weight.” Instead, the goal has always been, “Let’s feed the world.” 

We do feed most of the world now. Yet by cutting cost and strengthening global supply, overindulgence is now more tempting. 

There are many other examples of unintended consequences related to food. Steve and Rod’s goal is to take us one step closer to transparency through current research. We are collaborating to develop a combined summary of the economic, social, and biological systems impacting our food’s health, initially focused on fats and oils. Resulting learning can help architect policy debate, target community and research effort, and empower business to profitably deliver healthier food. 

Results to date clarify mechanisms by which food formulation is degraded, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies deteriorated, and developmentally disabled people’s coaching becomes an abomination. In each case, the intent of all primary actors is positive, yet poor coordination and integration of knowledge leads to destructive outcomes. 

These situations are hiding in plain sight; easily visible for all. Yet they persist. We must understand how seemingly responsible actions cause harm before we can unleash digital technology to deliver meaningful solutions. 

As economist Gary Yohe, who shared the Nobel Prize, said when he advised and endorsed this project, “Integrating our knowledge about a complex topic helps us to develop deeper insight.” 

Economists and businesspeople certainly have cause for interest: the potential dollar value of solutions to our food issues is immense.

Do you consistently choose nourishing food? Hit ‘reply’ and tell us why. 

Safeguard your future today, while positioning yourself to thrive for our children tomorrow.

Rod

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Dr. Rod Wallace​ is an economist, consultant, and speaker who helps businesses make more money by solving society’s problems. A Fulbright Fellow, he has led multi-organization billion-dollar initiatives worldwide and partnered with a Silicon Valley pioneer to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence on society. 

Rod speaks about how to integrate social responsibility into business to maximize profit and purpose. He highlights digital technology’s impact on society and the strategies and tools with which business can solve our big, systemic problems.

Contact Rod at ​info@RodWallacePhD.com​.