BARILLA FOUNDATION: "AN URGENT RETHINK OF THE GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM IS NEEDED"

Guido Barilla, President of Barilla Foundation during his speech at the 10° International Forum on Food and Nutrition. ​​ ​​Revolutionizing our current agri-food systems would bring economic returns of around $5.7 trillion, creating new business opportunities of up to $4.5 trillion each year by 2030 and creating environmental and health benefit 12 trillion dollars. This is the hidden cost we sustain every year globally as a result of our agri-food systems, including irreversible damage to ecosystems (which also contribute to undermining food ​security in some regions) and increasing costs for public health, mainly due to chronic diseases due to unhealthy eating patterns. A huge figure that far exceeds the $10 trillion of market value generated by agri-food systems, creating a deficit of around $2 trillion. A revolution is needed to make available – by 2050 - up to 1.2 billion hectares of land currently used for agriculture and "save" $10.5 trillion of hidden costs. This is the snapshot taken by the "Growing Better: Ten Critical Transitions to Transform Food and Land Use" report, discussed at the tenth International Forum on Food and Nutrition organized by the Barilla Foundation.

"Global food systems generate $12 trillion of hidden costs, from environmental damage to public health." "With just 10 years left to achieve the SDGs of the UN 2030 Agenda, it's clear we have an urgent need to intervene on current agri-food systems, because the idea of development and progress based on the belief that the planet's resources are unlimited is no longer viable. We need to look at food in its economic, social and environmental dimension, placing all the actors concerned, from private sector to citizens, at the heart of the Development Agenda, to lay the foundations for an inclusive, lasting and prosperous future," explained Guido Barilla from the stage at the International Forum on Food and Nutrition. This kind of approach, according to the "Growing Better: Ten Critical Transitions to Transform Food and Land Use" study presented at the Forum by Jeremy Oppenheim, Systemiq, would also bring economic benefits: an investment in the transformation process of agri-food systems, amounting to $300-350 billion a year (less than 0.3% of global GDP), would generate a return of about $5.7 trillion - more than 15 times the initial cost - creating new business opportunities of up to $4.5 trillion a year by 2030. The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition Foundation (BCFN) analyzes the complexity of current agri-food systems and, through a variety of initiatives, fosters change towards healthier and more sustainable lifestyles in order to achieve the Goals set by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).With its public initiatives and scientific research, BCFN provides recommendations to public decision makers and maintains an ongoing dialogue with its stakeholders by providing food related multidisciplinary studies and highlighting best practices; it engages the new generations by developing educational tools and awarding projects by young researchers from around the world; it speaks to people to raise awareness and inspire informed daily food choices; and it awards journalistic excellence in reporting the paradoxes of the current food system. Website: www.barillacfn.com