An October Reflection on Food System Sustainability 

By Jamie Saxon
Head of Sustainability

–

Harvest season is in full swing in the U.S., a time of year that’s equal parts exciting, nerve-wracking and busy for farmers as they work around the clock to wrap up their growing seasons and reap the rewards of their labor. Appropriately, it’s also when we mark not just National Farmer’s Day – the annual Oct. 12 celebration of farmers’ essential role – but also World Food Day, the annual Oct. 16 reflection on the state of food security and the fight against hunger. 

Although the exact focus of these two events differs, they are also inextricably linked. That’s because farmers and food security are two of the three key components of a sustainable food system. (The third, a thriving planet, gets its own global spotlight each April.) 

The best part of these days is that they remind all of us about the human ingenuity powering agriculture. National Farmer’s Day cheers on those doing the vital work of bringing food to our tables, while World Food Day acknowledges that innovation has already had a significant positive impact on the global food system. 

Both days also serve as a reminder, however, that there’s still serious room for progress. In a world of 8+ billion people facing the ever-expanding threat of climate change, it’s become clear that current agricultural practices are no longer sufficient to keep up with demands on our food supply. Meanwhile, farmers’ livelihoods – already inherently risky – are arguably under more pressure today than ever before. 

Addressing these food system sustainability challenges underpins everything we do at Inari. It’s in our DNA, considered at all levels of our operations. Our ability to design seeds that meet the world’s needs puts us in a unique position, enabling us to have broad influence on all facets of sustainability, whether it be environmental, social or economic. 

And that’s important, because as National Farmer’s Day and World Food Day remind us, agriculture is too critical not to continually support and make better. The results benefit everyone. 

Learn more about Inari’s approach to Food System Sustainability here.