The Circular Economy of Food CoLab: Designing the Future of Food, Together
Collaborating toward solutions that are better for people, the planet, and business
The Circular Economy of Food CoLab is a coalition of like-minded changemakers. It enables members to pool risk and resources, and to collaboratively explore food system challenges that are too large for any one organization to tackle alone. Our network of members and partners includes farmers, food companies, startups, NGOs, and experts in circular and regenerative economies.
Member Companies
Designing the future together
Since 2018, we’ve developed a foundational understanding and prototypes for a circular food system, in which waste becomes a resource; natural systems and farming communities are uplifted; and all materials realize their highest value. The prototypes range from digital apps and ingredient marketplaces to physical packages and refrigerators—and the infrastructure and business models that bring them all together.
CoLab enables us to develop our approach to systemic innovation by working closely with companies throughout the food chain towards circular solutions.
BARRY WADDILOVE, Sustainability Director, Development and Collaboration, Electrolux
IN 2021, WE FOCUSED ON TWO KEY AREAS OF THE FOOD SYSTEM RIPE FOR DESIGN INTERVENTION:
THE HOUSEHOLD KITCHEN EXPERIENCE
How might we make circular behaviors the default in home kitchens?
We conducted in-depth research into the daily eating patterns and values of a spectrum of American eaters spanning diverse households and levels of sustainability awareness. The team identified insights about the context for decision-making and behaviors in home kitchens, barriers and levers for change at specific points along the journey (from planning and procurement to eating and disposal), and key opportunity areas to inform the design of products, services, experiences, and systems.
THE PROCUREMENT-GROWER RELATIONSHIP
How might we leverage corporate procurement to mainstream regenerative agriculture?
We engaged a range of growers, procurement leaders, and experts across the U.S. and Europe—from potato and corn farms in the Midwest to directors of agriculture innovation at global NGOs. We uncovered what gets in the way of transitioning to regenerative agriculture to identify how to make it more feasible, desirable, and viable for both growers and procurement teams. We designed incentives and risk-sharing models to prototype the enabling business environment in which regenerative agriculture and farming communities can thrive.
Across both workstreams, we identified how organizations can strategically integrate human-centered design and systems thinking to promote a more nourishing, equitable, and climate-positive future.
In 2022, we’ll continue focusing on areas where a human-centered design approach can unlock systemic change—including technology design and adoption, data-driven solutions, new business models and ventures, and corporate strategy.
In the past, we have explored
Scaling circular and regenerative food design
How might we enable food designers to apply circular and regenerative design principles in their day-to-day?
How might we shift towards plant-forward menus?
Designing out waste
How might we create viable infrastructure and business models to ensure food grown for people doesn’t go to waste?
How might we design an e-commerce packaging solution that eliminates the need for dual and single-use packaging?
Shifting eater behaviors
How might we increase biodiversity by encouraging more diverse eating habits and a generation of new supply chains?
How might we connect people to their values by offering information that’s understandable and useful?
Leveraging data
How might we leverage data to reduce food waste in homes?
How might we take a data-driven approach to designing reverse logistics infrastructure that is cost-effective and reduces emissions?
CoLab has enabled organizations in our network to accelerate their efforts toward a circular economy. Working across disciplines, throughout the value chain, and even with competitors not only leads to new solutions for a circular economy, but also helps build the new mindset required to scale up circular design innovation.
JOE ILES, ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION
Join us
Interested in joining the Food CoLab? Contact Rebecca Chesney at rchesney@ideo.com and Annie Svigals at asvigals@ideo.com.
Jan 2022