Inside the Food System: Insights from FoodBev's Siân Yates

How can the food industry tackle climate change, drive innovation, and create a sustainable future? In this episode, we’re joined by Siân Yates, Editorial Director at FoodBev Media, to explore the key challenges and groundbreaking trends shaping the food system. From cultured meat and AI technology to waste valorization and regenerative agriculture, we discuss the innovations driving change and the power of cross-sector collaboration. Siân also shares her insights on media’s role in clear communication and highlights how the industry can balance sustainability with consumer needs.

Don’t miss this in-depth conversation on the future of food, technology, and sustainability.

About Siân: Siân Yates is the editorial director at FoodBev, a media platform dedicated to delivering news and insights from across the food and beverage landscape. Siân heads up the editorial department at FoodBev, overseeing a team of dynamic new reporters and editors, as well as four magazines and four news websites. She holds a bachelor's in English literature and a master's in journalism. With a passion for writing and multimedia content creation, Siân has worked in a variety of roles, spanning STEM publishing to digital marketing, and PR, covering topics as diverse as luxury travel, transport, music and the arts, sustainability, healthcare and even garden sheds. But her true passion lies in the food and beverage inudstry. At the forefront of F&B trends, from sustainability and innovative ingredients to evolving consumer behaviours, Sian's work reflects her keen understanding of the industry's dynamic nature. She is committed to exploring the future of food, highlighting key developments and bringing fresh perspectives to the ever-changing market. Whether writing features, hosting podcasts or leading panel discussions, Sian remains dedicated to advancing the conversation on the most important topics shaping the future of food and drink. For a teaser, check out this article!

Timestamps: 00:00 The Importance of Cross-Sector Collaboration 01:53 Introduction to Sian Yates and FoodBev Media 04:46 Pressing Challenges in the Food System 07:33 Innovation and Collaboration in the Food Industry 11:08 Emerging Trends in Sustainability and Technology 18:14 Consumer Behavior and Sustainability 23:15 Innovations in Food Packaging 28:21 The Role of Agriculture in Sustainability 28:49 Corporate vs. Smallholder Visions in Regenerative Agriculture 30:10 The Six Guiding Principles of Regenerative Agriculture 33:57 Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on Innovation 37:40 Spotlight on Innovative Startups 40:19 The Role of AI and Robotics in the Food Industry 43:55 Challenges in Media Communication 49:45 The Journey of a Cocoa Bean 52:07 A Vision for a Sustainable Future 55:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts