From Farm to Table: October Sustainability Meeting Highlights Regenerative Agriculture, Food Waste Solutions, and Waste Reduction Initiatives

On October 30, 2024, NordCham Philippines hosted the Sustainability Committee Meeting focused on Sustainable Food Systems in Business Operations. Held at IWG Spaces, World Plaza, BGC, the event gathered industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and local business representatives for an insightful discussion on promoting sustainable food practices, reducing food waste, and supporting local food sources.

Michael Ardieta, Country Manager of Yara Fertilizers (Phils) Inc., shared insights on the role of regenerative agriculture in achieving sustainability and food security. He addressed global agricultural challenges and the need for efficient, sustainable farming practices. Michael outlined Yara’s vision for a nature-positive food future, requiring focused action in climate neutrality (reducing carbon emissions), regenerative farming (restoring soil health and biodiversity), and prosperity (supporting farmers’ livelihoods and rural communities).

He highlighted regenerative agriculture as essential to a decarbonized, resilient food system and pointed to Yara’s 38-year commitment to empowering Filipino farmers with sustainable practices. Michael introduced fertigation—an eco-friendly, efficient method of delivering fertilizers through irrigation—as a sustainable solution to nutrient management and global challenges.

Michael’s insights emphasized Yara’s dedication to advancing sustainable agriculture in the Philippines and globally, inspiring businesses to adopt resilient, sustainable food strategies.

Mac Edsel T. Florendo, Operations Supervisor at Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Philippines, Inc., offered an inspiring perspective on combating food waste. Through SOS Philippines’ work with businesses, community partners, and NGOs, they collect surplus food and redistribute it to communities in need. Mac highlighted the environmental toll of food waste, particularly CO2 emissions, and shared data on SOS Philippines' remarkable achievements since 2022, including total kilograms of food rescued, meals served, and CO2 emissions reduced. He reaffirmed SOS Global’s ambitious goal of providing 50 million meals by 2025, showcasing the vital role that partnerships play in addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainability.

The event was a valuable opportunity for attendees to explore practical, actionable strategies for integrating sustainable food practices within business operations. The presentations by Michael and Mac fostered discussions on collaborative efforts to create a sustainable food ecosystem, as well as how businesses can make impactful changes.

The October Sustainability Committee Meeting served as a reminder that sustainability in food systems is not only achievable but essential, and that collaborative, cross-sector efforts are critical to making a meaningful impact on food security, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship.