___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sustainability
Cathedral thinking
Looking beyond the plate and building a sustainable food future. By Scott Dixon
Food isn’ t just about the present. It is about laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, balanced future. This idea was at the heart of discussion at Copenhagen’ s annual MAD Festival, now in its 15th year, a symposium where chefs, producers and policymakers explore long-term strategies for reshaping food systems. MAD is a global nonprofit based in Copenhagen, whose mission is to equip the next generation of food industry professionals with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration they need to make their businesses thrive, their industry fair, and the world’ s food systems truly sustainable.
I had the privilege of attending the festival in 2025, engaging in such conversations about sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and the future of food with industry leaders. The event reinforced something I believe in deeply; meaningful progress in the food industry isn’ t about quick wins but about thinking beyond immediate results to create lasting change. For me, five key themes emerged from the festival that illustrate the need for forward thinking approaches.
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