Co-hosts Katie Stebbins, Carter Williams, and Ellen Brown reflect on the past year and discuss the future of food and health. They discuss the food supply chain from "soil to cell" and how healthcare connects to all aspects of the food system. They also emphasize the importance of a systemic understanding of the food system as we move into 2025.
Key Themes and Insights from 2024:
Farming and Regenerative Agriculture: The discussion highlights the nuances of regenerative agriculture, noting that it is not a one-size-fits-all approach and varies by crop, farm, and size. It is a journey that can take seven to ten years to rebuild depleted soil. The experts also discuss the importance of not villainizing big agriculture and respecting the role of large farms in feeding the world. They emphasize the need for a more nuanced understanding of the food system, moving beyond the simple dichotomy of local versus big.
The Role of Health Care: Health care and food are connected in all aspects of the food supply chain. The healthcare system is described as a "sick care" system that focuses on keeping people alive when they are acutely ill rather than focusing on wellness. There is a need to redesign the economics of healthcare to make it more focused on health rather than just treating illness. The current system is not working, and there's a "cataclysmic problem" with the amount of money spent on chronic disease.
The Shift from Calories to Nutrition: The discussion highlights the shift from focusing on producing as many calories as possible to ensuring those calories are nutrient-dense. The healthcare system needs to be in lockstep with the food system to make this shift effectively. There is also a need to move beyond the idea that people simply buy what they want and do not want to be healthy. Instead, consumers face a lot of "friction" in finding healthy food, which makes it harder to procure healthy food.
The Importance of Processing and Distribution: There's a need for better regional processing facilities to support local economies. It is also important to consider health and safety issues such as food recalls. The healthcare system needs better access to healthy food. It is important not to think of local and regenerative food as the gold standard, but to be more nuanced in the language of food.
The Role of the Consumer: Consumers have the power to drive change, and there are "early adopters" who are making shifts towards healthier eating. However, the current system does not make it easy for the consumer to make healthy choices, and it is important to reduce the "friction" that people experience. Consumers are also confused about what is healthy and need more trust in the products they buy.
The Potential of GLP-1s: GLP-1 medications are seen as a potential driver for change and a mass acknowledgement that there is a problem with obesity. The shift in dollars to GLP-1s may cause a reduction in acute care visits and impact both the food and health care industries.
The Need for Systemic Change: There is a need for a systemic approach that addresses the interconnectedness of farming, manufacturing, distribution, health care, and consumer behavior.
Looking Ahead to 2025:
Monitoring Key Trends: The group is interested in monitoring the shift in agriculture from commodity crops to more specialized crops, and for CPG companies to shift focus from cost to taste and nutrition. On the healthcare side, they are looking for the first people to recognize that their revenue is at risk and the need for a health care parallel to sick care. They are also looking for opportunities for the food side to step in and make money on the health space.
The Impact of Policy: There may be a significant shift in health care due to the current administration that has bipartisan support and may be a catalyst for change.
Potential Disruptions: The group discusses the potential impact of GLP-1s, the separation of pharmacy benefit managers, and the role of food as a solution for health concerns. They also discuss the importance of diagnostics and the need for better data and research to make informed decisions about health and nutrition. They believe that a "crescendo of a wave" is approaching.
Opportunities for Innovation: They believe that there are a number of opportunities for innovation across all four buckets of the food value chain including the human element and healthcare.
The Importance of Collaboration: The speakers emphasize the importance of collaboration and communication across different sectors to bring about change.
There is a sense of optimism amongst the Food Is Health community about the future and a commitment to working together to create a healthier and more sustainable food system.
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