Post No 14. What are the environmental and social impacts of the demand for superfoods?

Ainhoa Magrach and María José Sanz wrote a paper, published in People & Nature in 2020 entitled, "Environmental and social consequences of the increase in the demand for ‘superfoods’ world‐wide." You can check the full paper here. 

What were the headlines of their paper?

• Superfoods’ are predominantly consumed far from their place of origin and cultural context.
• This has a range of different environmental and social effects. 
• If suitable plans are not put in place environmental impacts from 'land clearing, use of agrochemicals and transportation' and high carbon footprints can occur.
• Farmers in those areas switch from a local supply to producing food in the volatile situation of a global market which can have social impacts.
• Management practices, consumer choices and policy changes could help alleviate the ecological footprint of these crops.

Which crops did they look at?

Almonds, avocados, acai, cacao, coconuts, quinoa with the main focus being on land use change, water deletion, changes in varieties grown, and intensification of practices.

Do check it out...