Food Systems Team

Who we are

We are people who eat food, and we bet you are, too! But our “food system” – everything from agricultural production (crops and livestock) to food preparation, consumption, and waste – contributes nearly one-third of the global greenhouse gas emissions from humans. Luckily, there is a better way to do it, and everyone can play a role in reducing the carbon footprint of the systems that produce and consume our food.

What we do

The work of the MN350 Food Systems Team is informed by the science of Project Drawdown, and we strive for solutions that are both scientifically sound and socially just. We currently focus on three strategies to help reach a carbon-neutral Minnesota by 2030:

• Regenerative agriculture. We support the transition of Minnesota’s industrial farming practices to a regenerative agricultural system that supports healthy soil and land, draws atmospheric carbon into the ground rather than releasing it, and reduces water use.
• Empowering eaters. We encourage the shift toward plant-rich diets, made famously simple by Michael Pollan: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Plant-rich diets substantially reduce food systems’ greenhouse gas and water-use footprints.
• Reducing food waste. We work with retailers and consumers to close the gaps that lead to food waste. The food we throw away accounts for roughly 8% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. If we waste less, we can produce less, allowing us to conserve resources and reduce emissions.

How to get involved

The Food Systems Team meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on alternating Thursdays, online. We share upcoming opportunities to get involved, give updates on current activities and campaigns, and often include a training or presentation to further our understanding of the food system. For specific dates, check out the Events Calendar.

To learn more or to join the Food Systems Team distribution list, email Lisa Chou.