Our Work

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
Success is never the work of one, but the work of the whole team.

A New Zealand Sustainable
Food Systems Dialogue - Event

Sustainably feeding a growing population is a global problem, but also one for New Zealand to consider. Where does our reputation for high quality, premium food products fit in a hungrier world? How can Kiwi innovation and ingenuity make a difference to the global future of food? At the Feed our Future dialogue, stakeholders and decision makers came together for an accessible evidence-based discussion of the key global issues and the local decisions that we need to make. We explored the current conversation of sustainable food, bringing moderation and balance to what is often a debate of extremes. This dialogue inspired valuable conversations and put New Zealand at the front of the sustainable food systems debate.

Feed Our Future (June 2021): single day meeting in Te Papa, Wellington. Bringing government, industry and science together to engage in evidence-based discussion of sustainable nutrition. 120 attendees, with follow-up recordings and shared more widely.

Following the event, the New Zealand Science Review ran a special issue on the event featuring articles from each of the speakers and summaries of the audience discussion. The special issue was guest edited by SNi® researchers and can be found here.

Feed our Future - Setting the Scene

Feed our Future Keynote – An Important Conversation

Barbara’s experience includes working for FAO at the UN and is chair of the Sustainable Diets Task Force and on the UN Committee on World Food Security.

Feed our Future – “Nutrient Bioavailability & protein quality”

Session 1 – Nutrition comes first.

Thom discusses optimisation of proteins in a balanced sustainable diet.

  • Professor Thom Huppertz, from Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands

Feed our Future – “How affordable and accessible is nutrition?”

Session 1 – Nutrition comes first.

Nick outlines the affordability of diets worldwide and how accessible the nutrients you need to live, are.

  • Dr. Nick Smith, Riddet Institute, Massey University, New Zealand

Feed our Future – “Origin of the current conversation: An exploration of the animal/plant divide”

Session 2 – The Current Food System Conversation.

Frederic discusses the evolution of meat eating, and how it is accepted within society.

  • Professor Frederic Leroy, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Feed our Future – “The role of animals in a sustainable circular food system”

Session 2 – The current food system conversation.

Hannah discusses a circular food system, and the importance of its role in feeding humans, while minimizing environmental impact.

  • Dr Hannah van Zanten Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands

Feed our Future – “Environmental footprinting & accounting for nutrition”

Session 3- Stewart discusses the environmental impacts of food systems and examining the real cost of food production.

How can we compare foods in a realistic way?

  • Dr Stewart Ledgard, AgResearch, New Zealand

Feed Our Future – “Reframing food waste with respect to nutrition”

Session 3 – Food waste is a big issue in sustainability and a third of it is thrown away domestically.

How does this impact on nutrition?

  • Associate Professor Wayne Martindale, University of Lincoln in the UK.

Feed our Future – “Alternative Proteins – what is their realistic future?”

Session 4 – Changing the Food System

Paul talks about the future of cell produced food and the challenges that this production method faces to feed the world.

  • Professor Paul Wood, Monash University in Melbourne
Feed our Future – “Consumers are central to any change in the food system” Session 4 – Changing the Food System Joanne discusses any changes to a system being consumer-led. Sustainable diets need good sensory attributes, be effortless, cost-effective and become the normal choice for consumers.
  • Professor Joanne Hort, Massey University & FEAST, New Zealand

Collaboration

New Zealand

Ministry of Primary Industries

Ministry for Primary Industries

  • Modelling nutrient trade in the APEC region 
  • Investigating the climate impacts of the NZ diet
  • Submission of ‘game-changing solutions’ to the United Nations Food Systems Summit
University of Otago 

University of Otago 

  • DELTA Model used in teaching at Masters and undergraduate level 

Internationally

Global Dairy Platform
  • Creating an optimisation model for sustainable healthy diets: iOTA Model®
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)
  • Prof Warren McNabb selected member of the Scientific Advisory Committee informing a ‘comprehensive and evidence-based global assessment of the contribution of livestock to food security, sustainable food systems, nutrition and healthy diets’
  • Prof McNabb and Dr Nick Smith contributed to reviewing FAO documents on this topic
Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands)
  • Scientific partners on Global Animal Production Database project
  • DELTA Model® used in MSc in Nutritional Sciences program, as well as specific summer school and masterclass courses
  • Articles written for SNi® website
Monash University (Australia)
  • DELTA Model® used in MSc in Food Science and Agribusiness program
  • Two SNi® research projects undertaken by food science students
University of São Paulo (Brazil)
  • Collaborative research on global nutrient trade
  • Articles written for SNi® website
University of Lincoln (UK)
  • DELTA Model® used to inform research
  • Articles written for SNi® website

Scientific Activity

Research

Land use of global food system scenarios: working to include land use footprints in the DELTA Model®.

Nutrient trade: working with the University of São Paulo to understand the international movement of nutrients and the implications of this trade.

Milk alternatives: undertaking research measuring the nutritional composition of plant-based beverages.

iOTA Model®: An optimisation model for sustainable healthy diets. 

 

Engagement

Participation in UN Food System Summit dialogues:

  • Two NZ Government Dialogues.
  • Global Alliance for Sustainable Livestock (Oceania Region) dialogue.
  • Global Meat Alliance dialogue.
  • Two independent NZ dialogues.

Provided expert commentary on sustainable nutrition for Science Media Centre.

Outreach

Articles on new research in the sustainable nutrition field are posted weekly under SNippets.

Articles covering a theme in the field are posted monthly under Thought for Food.

These articles are written for a non-scientific audience, to increase readership. We have over 12 000+ article reads to date.

Publications

Peer-reviewed articles

Evolution of global food trade network and its effects on population nutritional status. Current Research in Food Science.

Silvestrini MM, Smith NW, Sarti FM (2023).

The role of meat in the human diet: evolutionary aspects and nutritional value. Animal Frontiers.

Leroy F, Smith NW, Adesogan AT, Beal T, Iannotti L, Moughan PJ, Mann N (2023).

Comparison of carbon footprint and water scarcity footprint of milk protein produced by cellular agriculture and the dairy industry. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.

Behm K, Nappa M, Aro N, Welman A, Ledgard S, Suomalainen M, Hill JP (2022).

Estimating cropland requirements for global food system scenario modeling. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

Smith NM, Fletcher AJ, Millard P, Hill JP, McNabb WC (2022).

Modelling the contribution of meat to global nutrient availability. Frontiers in Nutrition.

Smith NW, Fletcher AJ, Hill JP, McNabb WC (2022).

Modelling the contribution of milk to global nutrition. Frontiers in Nutrition.

Smith NW, Fletcher AJ, Hill JP, McNabb WC (2022).

The Role of Holistic Nutritional Properties of Diets in the Assessment of Food System and Dietary Sustainability. Advances in Nutrition.

Dave LA, Hodgkinson S, Roy NC, Smith NW, McNabb WC (2021).

Animal and Plant Sourced Nutrition: Complementary not Competitive. Animal Production Science.

Smith NW, Fletcher AJ, Hill JP, McNabb WC (2021).

Use of the DELTA Model® to understand the food system and global nutrition. Journal of Nutrition.

Smith NW, Fletcher AJ, Dave LA, Hill JP, McNabb WC (2021).

Lifetime Climate Impacts of Diet Transitions: A Novel Climate Change Accounting Perspective. Sustainability.

Barnsley JE, Chandrakumar C, Gonzalez-Fischer C, Eme PE, Bourke BEP, Smith NW, Dave LA, McNabb WC, Clark H, Frame DJ, Lynch J, Roche JR (2021).

Media Articles
  1. American Society for Nutrition released an article on how they are "rethinking food systems to promote food and nutrient sustainability" in their journals. The DELTA Model® paper is one of the four papers they highlight as their journals' contribution.
  2. Massey scientists are cream of the crop at international dairy award. Stuff July 2022
      1. Dr Nick Smith receives 3rd place in IDF Professor Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize. IDF. July 2022
  3. Segment on Rural Delivery, TVNZ. April 2022 
  4. Dr Jacqueline Rowarth: How do we grow more food without using more land? The Country. April 2022 
  5. New review shows animal and plant-sourced foods are better together. Beef+Lamb NZ. December 2022
  6. "Need or Greed" World Climate Foundation  Oct 2021
  7. “Can we feed our team of 5 million first?” Food NZ. October 2021
  8. “Measuring the world’s needs” Farmers Weekly. September 2021
    1. Also published with the title “The science is there with proof of agriculture's essential role in delivering global health and nutrition, and underpinning farming's social licence for responsible production” co.nz
  9. “Plants and animals, not plants vs animals” Food NZ. August 2021
  10. "Riddet Institute model a “game-changing solution” for achieving sustainable nutrition” Massey University. July 2021
  11. “Paper concludes cutting meat won't reduce a person's carbon footprint much” Stuff. July 2021
  12. “Food for thought: Latest DELTA Model® reveals global disparity of nutrient availability and production shortfalls.” NutraIngredients-Asia. July 2021
  13. “Cutting food waste alone won't solve world's nutritional needs.” Produced in response to a presentation at Nutrition 2021, June 2021, and carried by:
    1. Newswise
    2. com
    3. com
    4. com
    5. National Hog Farmer
    6. EurekAlert!
    7. com
    8. The Health Press Daily
    9. Beef Magazine
    10. Science Buddies
    11. Press-News.org
    12. Global News & Entertainment
    13. “Kiwi Ingenuity In The Future Of Food – Expert Reaction.” Scoop. June 2021.
    14. “Microbiomes and sustainable nutrition.” Royal Society Te Apārangi Fellows Newsletter. June 2021
    15. “Riddet Institute contributes to dialogue on the future of the food system.” Food Technology Magazine. April 2021
    16. “Good nutrition starts with bioavailability science.” Stuff. April 2021
    17. “Sustainable Nutrition Initiative – Feed Our Future.” Food NZ. March 2021
    18. “Achieving sustainable nutrition on a global scale.” Royal Society Te Apārangi Fellows Newsletter. February 2021
Other publications
Conference Presentations
ILSI Annual Meeting, Brussels 2022

Invited to speak on 'Improving nutrition for public benefit'

University of the Third Age in Wellington, NZ 2022

Invited to discuss the work of SNi® on Sustainable Nutrition and the global food system

Food Structures, Digestion & Health November 2021 Virtual
Presentation on NZ nutrient trade dynamics
IDF Global Dairy Conference October 2021 Copenhagen, Denmark and Virtual

Invited talk on the DELTA Model®

67th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology August 2021 Virtual
Presentation on the current contribution of meat to global nutrient availability
New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology conference July 2021 Palmerston North, NZ

Invited plenary address on sustainable nutrition &

conference presentation on the DELTA Model®

Nutrition 2021 June 2021 Virtual
Presentation on the DELTA Model®
Retail Meat New Zealand conference May 2021 Queenstown, NZ
Invited opening talk on role of meat in sustainably feeding the global population
Deloitte Global Future of Food Community May 2021 Virtual
Invited overview of SNi
International Dairy Federation Nutrition Symposium May 2021 Virtual
Invited talk on sustainable nutrition
Primary Industries NZ Summit November 2020 Wellington, NZ
Invited talk on sustainable nutrition
NZX Virtual Global Dairy Seminar
Invited presentation on the DELTA Model®
Invited Talks
Nutrition Society of New Zealand Scientific Conference December 2021 Virtual
Invited talk on achieving sustainable nutrition globally and locally
World Biodiversity Summit, Side Event to COP26 November 2021 Virtual
Invited talk on sustainable food systems
Royal Society Te Apārangi Falling Walls New Zealand Lab 2021 September 2021 Virtual
Dr Nick Smith presented the DELTA Model® as part of a national innovation pitch competition, receiving second place
Dairy nutrition summer school lecture July 2021 Virtual
Invited overview of the DELTA Model®
Global Food Systems Roundtable for AgriFood week May 2021 Palmerston North, NZ
SNi scientists invited to speak and sit on panel
Wageningen University & Research, Farm Systems Ecology team May 2021 Virtual
Invited overview of SNi
NZ Food Systems Summit Inter-ministerial group March 2021 Wellington, NZ
Invited overview of DELTA Model results
AgResearch Ltd. February 2021 Palmerston North, NZ & Virtual
Invited overview of SNi
World Farmers’ Organisation Scientific Council December 2020 Virtual
Invited overview of the DELTA Model®
Ministry for Primary Industries: Fit For A Better World Group December 2020 Palmerston North, NZ
Invited overview of SNi
Dairy Companies Association NZ: Future Food Systems webinar December 2020 Virtual
Invited overview of the DELTA Model®
Plant and Food Research November 2020 Virtual
Invited overview of the DELTA Model®
Ministry for Primary Industries November 2020 Wellington, NZ
Invited overview of the DELTA Model®
Ministry for Primary Industries Science Governance Group November 2020 Wellington, NZ
Invited overview of the DELTA Model®
International Dairy Federation September 2020 Virtual
Invited overview of the DELTA Model®

SNi® Funding

The Sustainable Nutrition Initiative® is a research programme helping to create a better understanding of the food system and opportunities for improvement in order to sustainably feed the global population with the nutrients required.

This fund supports Massey University students to undertake research as part of the Sustainable Nutrition Initiative®, providing evidence for sustainable food systems for the future.

Professor Warren McNabb
Warren McNabb is a Professor of Nutritional Science at the Riddet Institute; one of New Zealand’s Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE), hosted by Massey University. He leads SNi® and his research interests include digestive physiology and metabolism, nutrition for health, and sustainable nutrition.
Project Leader | W.McNabb@massey.ac.nz
Professor Warren McNabb
Warren McNabb is a Professor of Nutritional Science at the Riddet Institute; one of New Zealand’s Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE), hosted by Massey University. He leads SNi® and his research interests include digestive physiology and metabolism, nutrition for health, and sustainable nutrition.
Project Leader | W.McNabb@massey.ac.nz
Dr Nick Smith
Nick works as a mathematical modeller on the Riddet Institute SNi®. He is responsible for a wide range of SNi's work and the continued development of the SNi models like the DELTA Model®. This is a tool for investigating how global food production meets global nutritional requirements as part of a sustainable food system.
Research Officer | N.W.Smith@massey.ac.nz
Dr Nick Smith
Nick works as a mathematical modeller on the Riddet Institute SNi®. He is responsible for a wide range of SNi's work and the continued development of the SNi models like the DELTA Model®. This is a tool for investigating how global food production meets global nutritional requirements as part of a sustainable food system.
Research Officer | N.W.Smith@massey.ac.nz
Dr Andrew Fletcher
Andrew is a Chemical Engineer with a PhD in process control and modelling. Andrew is a Honorary Fellow at the Riddet Institute and has been involved with SNi® since the outset. He is based at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North and is involved in a range of research, management and strategy roles.
Honorary Fellow | Andrew.Fletcher@fonterra.com
Dr Andrew Fletcher
Andrew is a Chemical Engineer with a PhD in process control and modelling. Andrew is a Honorary Fellow at the Riddet Institute and has been involved with SNi® since the outset. He is based at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North and is involved in a range of research, management and strategy roles.
Honorary Fellow | Andrew.Fletcher@fonterra.com
Professor Jeremy Hill
Professor Jeremy Hill has played a major role in developing SNi®. He has also been involved in developing strategic partnerships between Fonterra and the Riddet Institute. For example, the establishment of three Professorial Chairs in Food Material Science, Nutrition, and Consumer and Sensory Science. Jeremy is the Chief Science and Technology Officer at Fonterra.
Adjunct Professor | Jeremy.Hill@fonterra.com
Professor Jeremy Hill
Professor Jeremy Hill has played a major role in developing SNi®. He has also been involved in developing strategic partnerships between Fonterra and the Riddet Institute. For example, the establishment of three Professorial Chairs in Food Material Science, Nutrition, and Consumer and Sensory Science. Jeremy is the Chief Science and Technology Officer at Fonterra.
Adjunct Professor | Jeremy.Hill@fonterra.com
Dr Mahya Tavan
Mahya is a postdoctoral research fellow working on the development of the iOTA model. iOTA is a dietary optimisation tool for designing sustainable diets that are nutritious, acceptable and affordable. Prior to joining SNi®, Mahya held a research role at the University of Melbourne, Australia where she carried out various research projects on sustainable food production, resource use efficiency and biofortification of fresh food.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | M.Tavan@massey.ac.nz
Dr Mahya Tavan
Mahya is a postdoctoral research fellow working on the development of the iOTA model. iOTA is a dietary optimisation tool for designing sustainable diets that are nutritious, acceptable and affordable. Prior to joining SNi®, Mahya held a research role at the University of Melbourne, Australia where she carried out various research projects on sustainable food production, resource use efficiency and biofortification of fresh food.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | M.Tavan@massey.ac.nz
Raquel Lozano
Raquel is a postdoctoral research fellow creating models for national food systems. Her PhD research focused on helping design horticultural packaging systems to minimise the environmental impact. Raquel was awarded the International Society of Horticultural Sciences Young Minds Award in 2023, and is keen to use mathematical modelling to provide holistic information to decision-makers in the area of sustainable nutrition.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | R.Lozano@massey.ac.nz
Raquel Lozano
Raquel is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow creating models for national food systems. Her PhD research focused on helping design horticultural packaging systems to minimise the environmental impact. Raquel was awarded the International Society of Horticultural Sciences Young Minds Award in 2023, and is keen to use mathematical modelling to provide holistic information to decision-makers in the area of sustainable nutrition.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | R.Lozano@massey.ac.nz
Patricia Soh
Prior to her current PhD, Patricia attained a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at Massey University, Albany. The current focus of her PhD is investigating nutritional concerns within vegan diets.
PhD Student | P.Soh@massey.ac.nz
Patricia Soh
Prior to her current PhD, Patricia attained a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at Massey University, Albany. The current focus of her PhD is investigating nutritional concerns within vegan diets.
PhD Student | P.Soh@massey.ac.nz
Ejovi Abafe
Prior to his current PhD, Ejovi obtained a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Delta State University, Nigeria. The current focus of his PhD at the Riddet Institute is Global land use for the delivery of nutrition.
PhD Student | E.Abafe@massey.ac.nz
Ejovi Abafe
Prior to his current PhD, Ejovi obtained a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Delta State University, Nigeria. The current focus of his PhD at the Riddet Institute is Global land use for the delivery of nutrition.
PhD Student | E.Abafe@massey.ac.nz
Justine B. Coomson
Prior to her current PhD, Justine obtained a Masters degree in Population, Family and Reproductive Health and a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from the University of Ghana. Justine has worked as a research assistant and a clinical dietician in Ghana before coming to New Zealand. The current focus on her PhD is the impact of biofortification and supplementation to diets.
PhD Student | J.Coomson@massey.ac.nz
Justine B. Coomson
Prior to her current PhD, Justine obtained a Masters degree in Population, Family and Reproductive Health and a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from the University of Ghana. Justine has worked as a research assistant and a clinical dietician in Ghana before coming to New Zealand. The current focus on her PhD is the impact of biofortification and supplementation to diets.
PhD Student | J.Coomson@massey.ac.nz
Hannah Ramsay
Hannah is the Project Manager for SNi®. She started her career in the Riddet Institute when she first came to New Zealand and has since done project and event work across various educational institutes. The opportunity to return to Project Management at the Riddet Institute was very welcome, especially given the fascinating research and mahi conducted as part of SNi®.
Project Manager | H.Ramsay@massey.ac.nz
Hannah Ramsay
Hannah is the Project Manager for SNi®. She started her career in the Riddet Institute when she first came to New Zealand and has since done project and event work across various educational institutes. The opportunity to return to Project Management at the Riddet Institute was very welcome, especially given the fascinating research and mahi conducted as part of SNi®.
Project Manager | H.Ramsay@massey.ac.nz
Amelia Barker
Amelia is a Communications Officer at the Riddet Institute. She has many years experience in digital media communications at various organisations. Amelia is passionate about research and enjoys promoting the fantastic mahi (work) that SNi® does.
Communications Officer | A.Barker@massey.ac.nz
Amelia Barker
Amelia is a Communications Officer at the Riddet Institute. She has many years experience in digital media communications at various organisations. Amelia is passionate about research and enjoys promoting the fantastic mahi (work) that SNi® does.
Communications Officer | A.Barker@massey.ac.nz
Rangimarie Hunia
Rangimarie Hunia was appointed an alternate director of Te Ohu Kaimoana at the beginning of 2015 before being appointed a full director in November 2015, and Chair in July 2019. The first wahine (woman) Chair in the history of Te Ohu Kaimoana. In 2017, she was appointed a Chair of Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust. In 2016, she was appointed Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia. Whai Maia is responsible for the well-being of its 5,000 tribal members and focuses on education, health, employment and environmental areas. She played an active role as a member of the Iwi Working Group that was established to facilitate understanding and iwi decision making in response to the 11-year Review of Māori Fisheries Settlement entities. Rangimarie is also a member of Global Women and was a finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards 2014.
Ngāti Whātua Chair of SNi® International Advisory Group Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia
Rangimarie Hunia
Rangimarie Hunia was appointed an alternate director of Te Ohu Kaimoana at the beginning of 2015 before being appointed a full director in November 2015, and Chair in July 2019. The first wahine (woman) Chair in the history of Te Ohu Kaimoana. In 2017, she was appointed a Chair of Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust. In 2016, she was appointed Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia. Whai Maia is responsible for the well-being of its 5,000 tribal members and focuses on education, health, employment and environmental areas. She played an active role as a member of the Iwi Working Group that was established to facilitate understanding and iwi decision making in response to the 11-year Review of Māori Fisheries Settlement entities. Rangimarie is also a member of Global Women and was a finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards 2014.
Ngāti Whātua Chair of SNi® International Advisory Group Chief Executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia
Jeroen Dijman
Over 30 years of practical and managerial experience in research, development, and policy and institutional change in the agricultural and rural sector. Developed and applied system innovation ideas and multi-stakeholder approaches in livestock agri-food system research and rural development planning and practice. Worked and consulted extensively for bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, CGIAR centres, the World Bank, UN agencies and the private sector in all major developing regions of the world. Currently engaged as the founding head of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Nestlé Research. Previous roles include: • the director of the Enabling Innovation theme of International Livestock Research Institute; the senior officer of the FAO’s Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Initiative, credited to have influenced global thinking on policy and institutional change by the independent external evaluation of the FAO; • the senior officer in the Livestock Information, Sector Analysis and Policy Branch of the FAO, responsible for the design, establishment, coordination, and support to the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock, a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to sustainable livestock sector development; • the senior agricultural research officer for the Secretariat of the Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC) to the CGIAR, providing independent strategic advice to a global portfolio of 15 corporate research programmes of the CGIAR on agricultural research for development, climate change, agri-food system innovation, partnership, sustainable resource use, and impact assessment; • the Director (International) of the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC); • the Senior Technical Adviser of the UN Environment, Climate and Clean Air Coalition agriculture initiative; and • the Managing Director, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research.
Head of Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences
Jeroen Dijman
Over 30 years of practical and managerial experience in research, development, and policy and institutional change in the agricultural and rural sector. Developed and applied system innovation ideas and multi-stakeholder approaches in livestock agri-food system research and rural development planning and practice. Worked and consulted extensively for bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, CGIAR centres, the World Bank, UN agencies and the private sector in all major developing regions of the world. Currently engaged as the founding head of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Nestlé Research. Previous roles include: • the director of the Enabling Innovation theme of International Livestock Research Institute; the senior officer of the FAO’s Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Initiative, credited to have influenced global thinking on policy and institutional change by the independent external evaluation of the FAO; • the senior officer in the Livestock Information, Sector Analysis and Policy Branch of the FAO, responsible for the design, establishment, coordination, and support to the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock, a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to sustainable livestock sector development; • the senior agricultural research officer for the Secretariat of the Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC) to the CGIAR, providing independent strategic advice to a global portfolio of 15 corporate research programmes of the CGIAR on agricultural research for development, climate change, agri-food system innovation, partnership, sustainable resource use, and impact assessment; • the Director (International) of the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC); • the Senior Technical Adviser of the UN Environment, Climate and Clean Air Coalition agriculture initiative; and • the Managing Director, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research.
Head of Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences
Berry Marttin
Berry Marttin was born and raised in Brazil. Over the course of his career at Rabobank, he has gained extensive experience as an international banker in both wholesale and retail banking, working in various senior executive positions in Australia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Curacao and Brazil. Berry moved to the Netherlands in 2004 to become Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rabobank Amsterdam. In 2009, he joined the Managing Board with special focus on Rabobank’s international Wholesale and Rural banking activities and further responsibilities including Leasing (DLL), Rabo Carbon Bank and RaboResearch. His principal other activities outside Rabobank include serving as President of the EACB (European Association of Co-operative Banks) and Member of the Board of Neumann Foundation. Moreover, Berry serves as the first Chairman of the Global Steering Committee of the Food Action Alliance, where World Economic Forum together with IFAD, WBCSD, CIAT, AfDB and Rabobank and over 20 global leaders unite to deploy large scale action through game changing initiatives for food systems transformation. In 2021, he was invited to join the UN Food Systems Summit Champions network, a network encompassing leadership from a broad range of constituencies, in all parts of the world, who are championing food systems and food systems transformation.
Member of the Managing Board Rabobank Group
Berry Marttin
Berry Marttin was born and raised in Brazil. Over the course of his career at Rabobank, he has gained extensive experience as an international banker in both wholesale and retail banking, working in various senior executive positions in Australia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Curacao and Brazil. Berry moved to the Netherlands in 2004 to become Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rabobank Amsterdam. In 2009, he joined the Managing Board with special focus on Rabobank’s international Wholesale and Rural banking activities and further responsibilities including Leasing (DLL), Rabo Carbon Bank and RaboResearch. His principal other activities outside Rabobank include serving as President of the EACB (European Association of Co-operative Banks) and Member of the Board of Neumann Foundation. Moreover, Berry serves as the first Chairman of the Global Steering Committee of the Food Action Alliance, where World Economic Forum together with IFAD, WBCSD, CIAT, AfDB and Rabobank and over 20 global leaders unite to deploy large scale action through game changing initiatives for food systems transformation. In 2021, he was invited to join the UN Food Systems Summit Champions network, a network encompassing leadership from a broad range of constituencies, in all parts of the world, who are championing food systems and food systems transformation.
Member of the Managing Board Rabobank Group
Dr Jason Clay
Jason Clay is the Senior Vice President for Markets and Executive Director of the Markets Institute at WWF, which was created to identify and address emerging global issues, trends, and tools impacting conservation in more timely, cost-effective, and scalable ways. His career has ranged from working on a family farm and for the US Department of Agriculture. He taught at Harvard and Yale and spent more than 35 years with human rights and environmental NGOs. In 1988, Clay founded Rainforest Marketing, set up a trading company within an NGO, helped Indigenous people and local communities access global markets, and launched Ben & Jerry’s Rainforest Crunch, plus more than 200 other products with sales of $100 million. From 1999 to 2003, he co-directed a WWF, the World Bank, UN FAO, and NACA consortium to identify the most significant environmental and social impacts of shrimp aquaculture, as well as practices to reduce them. From 2004 to 2012, he convened multistakeholder roundtables to create performance-based standards for commodities including salmon, soy, sugarcane, cotton, and beef. He developed WWF’s Market Transformation program in 2006 to work on agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, and corporate engagement. Clay continues to lead WWF-US efforts to improve private sector supply chain management and help their producers address the most significant impacts. In 2008, he created the Carbon and Commodities program to address supply chain GHG emissions. He has helped whole sectors improve their sustainability performance (e.g., the Global Salmon Initiative). He is now working with the global leather industry to support a DCF leather fund and is testing support for a 1% environmental performance payments to support the transition costs and incentives to finance what producers need to do to become legal and deforestation and conversion free. He is launching a two-year proof of concept for Codex Planetarius, a set of minimum global standards to reduce the key impacts of food and commodities traded internationally. Clay has authored 18 books and 500 articles, and has given more than 1,500 invited presentations. He studied anthropology and agriculture at Harvard, the London School of Economics, and Cornell (PhD).
Senior Vice President, Markets at World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Dr Jason Clay
Jason Clay is the Senior Vice President for Markets and Executive Director of the Markets Institute at WWF, which was created to identify and address emerging global issues, trends, and tools impacting conservation in more timely, cost-effective, and scalable ways. His career has ranged from working on a family farm and for the US Department of Agriculture. He taught at Harvard and Yale and spent more than 35 years with human rights and environmental NGOs. In 1988, Clay founded Rainforest Marketing, set up a trading company within an NGO, helped Indigenous people and local communities access global markets, and launched Ben & Jerry’s Rainforest Crunch, plus more than 200 other products with sales of $100 million. From 1999 to 2003, he co-directed a WWF, the World Bank, UN FAO, and NACA consortium to identify the most significant environmental and social impacts of shrimp aquaculture, as well as practices to reduce them. From 2004 to 2012, he convened multistakeholder roundtables to create performance-based standards for commodities including salmon, soy, sugarcane, cotton, and beef. He developed WWF’s Market Transformation program in 2006 to work on agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, and corporate engagement. Clay continues to lead WWF-US efforts to improve private sector supply chain management and help their producers address the most significant impacts. In 2008, he created the Carbon and Commodities program to address supply chain GHG emissions. He has helped whole sectors improve their sustainability performance (e.g., the Global Salmon Initiative). He is now working with the global leather industry to support a DCF leather fund and is testing support for a 1% environmental performance payments to support the transition costs and incentives to finance what producers need to do to become legal and deforestation and conversion free. He is launching a two-year proof of concept for Codex Planetarius, a set of minimum global standards to reduce the key impacts of food and commodities traded internationally. Clay has authored 18 books and 500 articles, and has given more than 1,500 invited presentations. He studied anthropology and agriculture at Harvard, the London School of Economics, and Cornell (PhD).
Senior Vice President, Markets at World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Professor Manny Noakes
Professor Manny Noakes has a PhD in nutrition as well as having trained as a dietitian in her earlier years. She is more recently a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Manny is a former Director and Senior Principal Research Scientist, Nutrition and Health at CSIRO, Australia. She currently runs her own nutrition consultancy and is also a non-executive Director for Meat and Livestock Australia. She is considered a key opinion leader and advisor in nutrition and health, has extensive media and public speaking experience. She has over 25 years’ experience in many fields of nutrition and health, and has undertaken numerous clinical dietary intervention trials in weight management, functional foods and cardiovascular health. She has also undertaken research on diet and sustainability and redefined the environmental agenda from a food and health perspective. Manny has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications which have been cited more than 9000 times and has an H index of 52. She was instrumental in the development and release of five editions of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, which was launched in 2004 and has been translated into 17 languages and sold over one million copies in Australia. The Total Wellbeing Diet has been further commercialised to a successful online programme. Manny is the recipient of three CSIRO Medals, is a Distinguished Alumni of Flinders University, holds a research excellence award from the University of Adelaide and is a recipient of the Zonta Club Woman of International Achievement award.
Nutrition Consultant
Professor Manny Noakes
Professor Manny Noakes has a PhD in nutrition as well as having trained as a dietitian in her earlier years. She is more recently a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Manny is a former Director and Senior Principal Research Scientist, Nutrition and Health at CSIRO, Australia. She currently runs her own nutrition consultancy and is also a non-executive Director for Meat and Livestock Australia. She is considered a key opinion leader and advisor in nutrition and health, has extensive media and public speaking experience. She has over 25 years’ experience in many fields of nutrition and health, and has undertaken numerous clinical dietary intervention trials in weight management, functional foods and cardiovascular health. She has also undertaken research on diet and sustainability and redefined the environmental agenda from a food and health perspective. Manny has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications which have been cited more than 9000 times and has an H index of 52. She was instrumental in the development and release of five editions of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, which was launched in 2004 and has been translated into 17 languages and sold over one million copies in Australia. The Total Wellbeing Diet has been further commercialised to a successful online programme. Manny is the recipient of three CSIRO Medals, is a Distinguished Alumni of Flinders University, holds a research excellence award from the University of Adelaide and is a recipient of the Zonta Club Woman of International Achievement award.
Nutrition Consultant
Lain Jager
Lain Jager is best known for his time with the hugely successful kiwifruit marketer Zespri. During his tenure as CEO, Zespri grew strongly through the impact and recovery from the bacterial vine disease pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae (Psa-V), grower returns doubled, and the share price grew from $1.00 to $8.00. Today, Lain is involved in a range of investment projects in tourism and agribusiness, serves as a director on several boards, acts as a strategic advisor to a small number of companies, and is Chairman of New Zealand’s Primary Sector Council, which was established in April 2018 by the Minister of Agriculture to create a vision for the primary sector and provide independent advice to government on issues facing the sector. The Primary Sector Council’s vision for New Zealand’s agriculture, food and fibres sector is to be a world leader in modern regenerative production systems that are Fit for a Better World. Primary Sector Council Chair Lain Jager says Fit for A Better World is about providing the world’s most discerning consumers with outstanding, ethically produced food, natural fibres, drinks, co-products and bio-products.
Chair of the Thought Leaders Group for Te Puna Whakaaronui Food and Fibre Think Tank
Lain Jager
Lain Jager is best known for his time with the hugely successful kiwifruit marketer Zespri. During his tenure as CEO, Zespri grew strongly through the impact and recovery from the bacterial vine disease pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae (Psa-V), grower returns doubled, and the share price grew from $1.00 to $8.00. Today, Lain is involved in a range of investment projects in tourism and agribusiness, serves as a director on several boards, acts as a strategic advisor to a small number of companies, and is Chairman of New Zealand’s Primary Sector Council, which was established in April 2018 by the Minister of Agriculture to create a vision for the primary sector and provide independent advice to government on issues facing the sector. The Primary Sector Council’s vision for New Zealand’s agriculture, food and fibres sector is to be a world leader in modern regenerative production systems that are Fit for a Better World. Primary Sector Council Chair Lain Jager says Fit for A Better World is about providing the world’s most discerning consumers with outstanding, ethically produced food, natural fibres, drinks, co-products and bio-products.
Chair of the Thought Leaders Group for Te Puna Whakaaronui Food and Fibre Think Tank
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