Opportunities at the Nexus of Climate, Food, and Oceans
Philanthropies working together to capitalize on the power of blue foods to help reshape food systems to be sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and healthy.
About This Work
Meridian Institute is working with a group of funders who share a common interest in integrating and normalizing the inclusion of blue foods in food systems transformation efforts through collaborative actions such as:
- Participation at key events to build momentum and ensure that high-profile panels, public policy dialogues, private sector solutions, etc., that address food systems transformation also include blue foods.
- Development of materials that elevate blue foods’ profile and clearly state the value of their inclusion and consideration in climate, biodiversity, and food systems efforts.
- Targeted outreach to key funders and funder groups.
Why Blue Foods?
Blue (or aquatic) foods* are a critical part of the global food system. They have long been at the heart of ocean conservation efforts and are the foundation of food security in coastal communities around the world. They serve as a vital source of nutrition for 3 billion people and provide livelihoods for 800 million people. Given their importance, blue foods should be an integral part of any discussion about the future of food systems as a key priority for investments and action in food security and nutrition, adaptation and resilience, and reducing emissions.
Responsible blue foods have a crucial role to play in building a healthy and climate-resilient sustainable food system to feed a hot and hungry planet, but they are chronically underinvested in and underrecognized by investors and decision makers. Philanthropy can play a major role in overcoming this dynamic by elevating, through communications and targeted outreach, opportunities to responsibly produce climate-friendly food in water.
*Blue foods are all fish, invertebrates, algae, and aquatic plants that are caught or cultivated for food from marine and freshwater environments.
Upcoming Event!
Demystifying the Nutritional Power of Aquatic Foods
Wednesday, March 26, 3:00-4:30pm CET / 11:00am-12:30pm ET
Join us for a hybrid side event at the Nutrition for Growth conference on March 26 at 3pm CET! The event will feature a keynote from World Food Prize recipient Shakuntala Thilsted and a panel discussion of experts including blue food producers, government, and nutritionists. They will highlight how diverse aquatic foods can address malnutrition and its impacts like stunting while supporting sustainable and equitable food systems, highlighting aquatic food’s scalable role as a key source of essential nutrients. The event is organized as a collaboration among the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition, Global Action Network, Meridian Institute, Walton Family Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Global Seaweed Coalition, Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Oceana, and WorldFish.
Resources
Feeding the Planet, Protecting our Oceans
On Wednesday, September 25th, the Walton Family Foundation and the Department of State are hosting an event where global leaders will gather to explore the critical role of sustainable seafood in addressing food security challenges.
Contact Us
This work is led by a team at Meridian Institute in collaboration with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Center for Ocean Solutions at Stanford University. To learn more or get involved, please contact arife@merid.org.