Eco-friendly Sustainable Food – David Gelles reports in the Sunday Business section of The New York Times that Unilever’s chief executive officer has made sustainable production a priority; less water used, more efficient packaging, soybean production eco-friendly. An ambitious plan, Paul Polman pledges to “cut the company’s environmental impact in half by 2020, it also vows to improve the health of one billion people and enhance livelihoods for millions, all while doubling Unilever’s sales.” Smaller Footprint. Giant Task. The New York Times, November 22, 2015.
Career thoughts: Are you intrigued by this business objective? Want to be involved in business, sustainability, marketing these ideas, public relations for a food company, agricultural solutions? (JAE)
Rethinking the Word Diet – Weight Watchers has long been known as one of the most successful programs for sustained weight loss. However, their membership has fallen dramatically and they have been unsuccessful in attracting new members. With help from influential Oprah Winfrey, Weight Watchers is changing its focus from “dieting” to “Beyond the Scale,” a more holistic approach favored by consumers and backed by science. Weight Watchers’ Plan: Don’t Call It a ‘Diet’, The Wall Street Journal, Business and Tech, December 7, 2015.
Career thoughts: Interested in re-branding a faltering company, the science behind weight loss, the psychology of weight loss, or food production and overeating? (JAE)
Young Entrepreneurs Fight Food Waste – We waste 40% of our food according to journalist Terrence McCoy, through supermarkets, farms, restaurants, and home kitchens. There are liabilities associated with getting unsold/unusable/safe food to people who could use it, but a sophomore at American University developed a successful website that networks people with food to people who need it across 24 states. A New Weapon in the Fight on Food Waste, The Washington Post, Metro, December 7, 2015.
From the Lab to the Classroom