Deforestation, soil health and biodiversity are all major concerns in the agricultural industry.

A recent United Nations report claims an estimated 80% of global deforestation is down to agricultural practices, as well as being the leading cause of habitat destruction.

But does farming always have to lead to deforestation? Can crops and trees not only co-exist, but possibly thrive together?

The emerging field of mycoforestry is a means of managing forest communities through the introduction of fungi.

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we look at a new study which suggests edible fungi could be used, with potentially huge consequences for the future of sustainable agriculture.

So what did the study find? What could it mean for deforestation? And how can all of this benefit the food industry?

Professor Paul Thomas, Honorary Professor, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling

Why have, for many years, eating disorders disproportionately affected girls?

In a previous episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we focused on how eating disorders affect boys and men.

For boys and men, it is a relatively new topic of discussion, even if the issue has been around for some time.

But girls and young women eating disorders have been spoken about in public discourse for much longer.

The problem is, the number of people affected is still rising.

According to the NHS, more young people than ever are receiving treatment for eating disorders.

In the last year, there has been a 35% increase in hospital admissions, with girls aged 17-to-19 having higher rates than any other demographic.

They are difficult figures to ignore and raise the question: Why do eating disorders affect more girls than boys?

What role do the media, the food industry, and social pressure have to play?

And, as the London Centre for Eating Disorders suggests, has the Covid pandemic had an impact on cases?

Fiona Hamlin, Registered Dietitian

Cliona Brennan, The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we are looking to the future.

Specifically, at the food innovators who may well be shaping the industry for years to come.

EcoTrophelia UK is a national competition where students design eco-innovative food products.

The winners go on to compete in a European final and, as well as receiving a cash prize, some of the entrants could see their products end up on supermarket shelves.

The competition is organised jointly by the Institute of Food Science and Technology, and Campden BRI. 

The competition is open to teams of students registered at a university or other establishment of scientific or technical higher education. 

We went along to the UK final, which was held at Sainsbury’s HQ in central London in June.

From all at Food Matters Live, a huge congratulations to each of the finalists.

Visit the EcoTrophelia website to find out how you can enter a team into next's year competition.

Last November, the eyes of the world were on Sharm el-Sheik as Egypt hosted COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference.

The host country was rallying other nations to gear up their climate action, hoping to persuade politicians around the globe to take us in a direction which avoids climate catastrophe.

COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 was criticised in some quarters for failing to put food systems at the heart of the conversation.

So, were things any different at COP27?

Major global companies attended, including Tetra Pak, which hosted panels on technological innovation, net zero and sustainable protein.

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Tetra Pak, we review the progress made at COP27 and ask: Has there been meaningful discussion, which will result in meaningful change?

We also look back at COP15, which focused on biodiversity.

At that conference, nearly 200 countries signed an historic agreement to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.

Finally, we look ahead to what might be achieved at COP28, the next UN Climate Change Conference, which is being held in Dubai from November 30th 2023.

Gilles Tisserand, VP Climate and Biodiversity, Tetra Pak

Pippa Murray is a visionary entrepreneur, a trailblazer in the world of nut butter, and the founder of the acclaimed brand Pip & Nut.

Founded in 2013, it saw incredible success from the very beginning.

Just a couple years in, her products were winning awards and were launched in Sainsbury's and Selfridges.

It has been B Corp Certified since 2019 and is now the fastest growing nut butter brand in the UK and Ireland.

Pippa has also been listed in the Evening Standard’s "London’s Most Influential People" and as ‘Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Natwest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we look into how Pippa’s nut butter went from hobby to business venture, how she successfully grew the brand, and what she has planned for the future of Pip & Nut.

Pip Murray, Founder, Pip & Nut

The picnic is a pastime loved by many. They bring people together, connect us with nature and make mealtime a little more exciting.

But the evolution of the picnic is a fascinating one and there is a rich history behind this outdoor feast.

From 18th century banquets to modern-day gatherings in the park, the picnic has evolved over time, reflecting changes in social norms and everyday life.

Finger foods and picnic blankets were not always typical and – hold the front page! They were not even originally held outside!

So where did it all begin? And how did we arrive at the picnic as the summertime staple we know and love today?

Dr Alexander Lee, Fellow, Centre for the Study of the Renaissance, Warwick University

Climate change is the great challenge of our time – a problem so big, that tackling it requires co-operation on a scale we have never seen before.

Our reliance on fossil fuels means that most aspects of our lives as individuals, and the economies we rely on, contribute to rising temperatures.

And the food and drink industry is central to that.

There is no getting away from the fact that the global food and drink industry is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions; estimated to make up 20 to 30 percent of the total.

That means the industry has to play its part when it comes to striving achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Download our new Sustainable Food Digest

Net zero means cutting emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed.

By doing so, the United Nations says, we may be able to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and therefore limit the worst impacts of climate change.

But that is easier said than done. Scientists are already predicting that we will exceed that temperature within five years, albeit temporarily.

Targets have been set and good work is being done, but there is plenty more still to do.

So, in this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we ask: How is the food industry doing when it comes to its net zero targets?

How do we speed up the pace of change?

And what challenges lie ahead?

Andy Wright, Director of Responsible Business, Samworth Brothers

Emma Piercy, Head of Climate Change and Energy Policy, Food and Drink Federation

As more of us look to improve our health and wellbeing, antioxidants have piqued the interest of some in the food and drinks industry.

There is plenty of evidence that antioxidants are vital in protecting our cells from harm, but how does that link to our diets?

How does what we eat correlate with the number and type of antioxidants in our bodies?

And what about supplements? What role can they play, if any, in this area?

Dr Christine Bösch, Associate Professor in Nutrition, University of Leeds

In this episode we explore the links between alcohol and religion.

The consumption of alcohol is central to some of the world’s most popular religions, and for centuries it has been an important part of religious and spiritual rituals.

The question is – why?

This relationship between religion and alcohol has a long and fascinating history, and has been explored in great depth by the author, broadcaster and journalist Tom Morton in his recent book ‘Holy Waters: Searching for the sacred in a glass’.

Recently the recipient of a Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Award, the book explores the spiritual tales of drinks like mead, saké and rum, unpacks their religious significance, and highlights the links between brewing, winemaking, and worship.

So how does the connection between religion and alcohol manifest across the world?  

How has this evolved over time?  

And what impact has religion had on the alcoholic drinks we make, sell and consume today?

Tom Morton, Writer, broadcaster, musician

Over the last few years, the world of eSports has exploded in popularity.

By 2024, its global audience on platforms like YouTube and Twitch is expected to reach nearly 600 million people.

That is a huge increase on the roughly 400 million recorded in 2019.

Yet despite the growing recognition of gaming as a serious sport, there remains a significant gap in the research around the role of nutrition.

For conventional sports, research often focuses on nutrition as a way to enhance physical ability – what can make you run faster, jump higher and maintain stamina?

But considering that eSport athletes spend the majority of their careers sitting down, you would expect their nutritional needs to differ.

From an economic perspective, it has been widely reported that the computer games industry is now worth more than the music and movie industries combined.

That has been followed by the food and drink industry showing an increased interest in functional beverages aimed at gamers.

The question is: Is that boom in functional beverages fuelled by demand for those products, or is it clever marketing from players in the food industry, linking themselves to gaming in order to boost sales?

So, what is the role of nutrition in this field? How can it be used to optimise a gamer’s performance? And where is the research heading?

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we seek to answer those questions and more.

Nicholas Morgan, Managing Director, Sports Integrated