Issue #121: The future of food

4 mins read

Published Apr 2, 2025

Our Top Stories

Shifting to ‘carbon negative’ foods
: BBC has put the spotlight on the future of food, stressing the urgent need to shift towards alternative sources and transform agricultural systems into carbon sinks. Among these alternatives, kelp stands out for its potential to be "carbon negative." As it grows, this macroalgae absorbs CO2, with some of the carbon being stored in the seabed. However, kelp is not yet a staple in mainstream diets. To unlock its full potential, it is essential to raise awareness of its versatility, its ability to enhance dishes, and its role as a cost-effective source of nutrition. [BBC]


Low-carbon farms: Edie reports that Tesco is launching two low-carbon concept farms to pioneer innovations such as low-carbon fertilisers and biodiversity management, aiming to showcase more sustainable pathways to net-zero farming. The supermarket has also unveiled its "Greenprint for UK Farming," emphasizing the urgent need for rapid decarbonisation as a solution to not only mitigate climate impacts but also address rising costs and policy uncertainty faced by farmers. These initiatives are designed to provide long-term security for British farms while ensuring consumers continue to have access to affordable, high-quality food.[Edie]

Business Spotlight - Chartwells


Chartwells Higher Education is leading a groundbreaking initiative in campus dining by implementing industry-first Scope 3 emissions tracking, in collaboration with the sustainability intelligence platform HowGood. This effort forms part of a wider movement within the foodservice sector to promote sustainable consumption through innovations such as carbon labelling, eco-loyalty programmes, and plant-forward dining options. By equipping universities with actionable data and cultivating a culture of sustainability among students, Chartwells is not only supporting global environmental goals but also setting a new benchmark for industry-wide transformation. [Perishable News]

About Vela


At Vela, we make better choices feel effortless.

Since day one, we’ve been building tools that reward you for living well — for your health, your wallet, and the planet.

Whether it’s tracking everyday spending, earning points for healthier shops, or unlocking rewards you actually want, Vela turns intention into action. Because most people care. They just need it to fit into real life.

We don’t believe sustainability should feel like sacrifice.

Our goal is simple: remove the trade-offs. Make climate-positive living practical. Make healthy habits rewarding. Make doing better feel worth it.

We’re here to spark a shift in everyday behaviour — one shop, one choice, one reward at a time.

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