Sustainable food systems: The essential partnership between people and practices
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor · Posted on: April 2nd 2025 · read
Achieving a sustainable food system requires more than just good intentions. Without the combination of skilled people and effective systems, even the most passionate sustainability initiatives may fall short. As a result, many businesses end up focusing on compliance-driven ESG strategies rather than implementing truly transformative solutions.
Despite the growing awareness of the need for greener practices, many in the food industry still face challenges in making real progress. At MHA, we’ve identified a key factor behind this struggle: the precarious partnership between people and processes.
The barriers we’ve come to know: Financial hurdles and limited resources
We don’t need to reiterate that sustainability is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage in the food sector. However, it is not the lack of desire that seems to keep businesses from adopting more sustainable practices, it’s the cost behind it all.
Funding is fought-after, and the upfront expense of embracing greener technologies and overhauling business processes can be eye-wateringly high, particularly for smaller farms and companies.
The importance of financial planning
"Businesses need to look at sustainability as a long-term investment, not just an immediate expense. The key challenge is aligning sustainability goals with financial objectives, which is hard to do without the right investment planning and people in place."
However, financial barriers aren’t the only challenge - many food businesses also struggle with adopting new technologies effectively. Even when sustainable innovations like AI-driven supply chain optimisation, automated waste reduction systems and precision agriculture tools are available, they require significant investment and skilled workers to implement them correctly. Without a well-trained workforce to manage and maximise these technologies, companies risk underutilising the very tools designed to drive sustainability forward.
Overcoming this: Practical solutions for financial sustainability
There are three strategies that can help companies plan and finance sustainability efforts without compromising cash flow:
- Clever Investment Planning By using financial models to predict long-term savings, businesses can show how their sustainability efforts will pay off. This helps convince stakeholders that sustainability isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment that strengthens the bottom line while keeping cash flow heavy.
- Making Use of Government Incentives Governments are offering more support than ever to businesses committed to sustainability, including R&D tax credits, capital allowances and grant funding. For instance, R&D tax credits can help offset costs for developing new technologies, while capital allowances let you claim back the cost of energy-efficient equipment. With the agri-food sector contributing £147.8 billion to the economy , it’s clear that these sustainable practices offer a great return on investment.
- Access to Green Finance and Sustainable Loans There’s a growing pool of green finance options for companies committed to sustainability. These loans and finance products offer more favorable terms for businesses with strong ESG credentials, which make it easier to cover the upfront costs of transitioning to greener practices.
The critical role of people in sustainability success
While technological investment is crucial, investing in people is just as important. The success of sustainability initiatives depends on having the right talent in place to propel change. As Emer Fardy, Group Sustainability & Human Rights Director at Hilton Foods pointed out during the MHA panel talk, sustainability must be embedded into company culture and leadership. Without this, efforts risk becoming fragmented and vague, while losing momentum.
Leadership buy-In
Leadership support is key to embedding sustainability into a company’s operations. As Catherine Howarth of ShareAction explains, sustainability must be integrated into corporate strategy and supported at the highest levels of the organisation. This ensures that all efforts are aligned with the company’s overall goals and not forgotten or pushed aside. Sustainability should be more than just a goal; it must become part of an organisation’s DNA.
In addition, a company’s ability to successfully integrate sustainability initiatives is strengthened when employees feel engaged in the process. Businesses that prioritise clear communication about the role of technology, like how it enhances efficiency rather than replaces jobs, can foster a culture of collaboration rather than resistance. Employees who are actively involved in implementing new tools are more likely to take ownership of sustainability goals, leading to more meaningful, lasting change.
Building a sustainable future, together
A truly sustainable food system requires both innovation and people-driven change. The key to this lies in integrating financial strategies with long-term environmental goals while pursuing cultures that embed sustainability at every level.
Financial changes may pose obstacles, but they are not insurmountable. Success depends on skilled teams that are equipped to drive change – technology alone is not enough. The food industry must view sustainability not as a choice between human expertise and technological advancement, but as a collaboration between the two.
Ultimately, the food sector has an opportunity to lead the way in sustainability—working together—now, for tomorrow.
