How will you create value in a reimagined food system?

Food and agriculture face systemic change driven by consumer-centricity, planet-friendly initiatives and increasingly connected ecosystems.

How will you help to reimagine the food system?

Talk to us to help define your roll in the future of food

Changing consumer demands are fueling a shift from a commodity-driven supply chain focused on scale to a personalized and value-added food and ag ecosystem. Adapting to this dynamic environment requires us to reimagine a food system where technology enables new collaboration, consumer demand drives production, and sustainability shapes investment decisions. It requires smart strategic planning grounded in an objective view of the current state, data-driven analysis of market opportunities and expert insight into future scenarios.

EY professionals look beyond vertical siloes to understand the forces that are reshaping the industry — from ingredients and data, to processing and products, to behaviors and brands — to deliver innovative approaches that help food companies thrive today and create long-term value in a reimagined food system.

The food system has been upended. From how food is grown to how it’s purchased and eaten, consumer preferences have pushed the value chain to a tipping point. To predict demand and enable agility across the food system, reimagined business models must be connected, planet-friendly and consumer-centric.

We help food companies across the value chain unleash the power of a connected system.

With consumer insights, we help you define your role in the food ecosystem. We harmonize your supply chain, technology, sustainability and portfolio strategies to create a responsive system, built for value. Are you ready to unleash connection?

Consumer-Centric

Building a consumer-centric operating model with food industry insights:

  • Leverage consumer data to create tailored food experiences
  • Align your operations to meet evolving consumer demands
  • Gain insights for effective market positioning and growth
  • Improve your presence across channels to engage and supply consumers effectively
Start-ups focused

How EY can help

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    Client story

     

    Leveraging the EY Future Consumer Index

    ▉ The challenge

    The food system has shifted from a market dictated by supply to one based on demand. Companies need to intimately understand food demand across segments.

     

    ▉ The solution

    The EY Future Consumer Index tracks the changing consumer over time, providing a perspective for which changes are temporary and are more fundamental shifts.

     

    ▉ The outcome 

    Food companies with better understanding of consumer segments are more equipped to invest in new categories, capabilities and markets to drive improved value for consumers.

     

    Read the insights

    Connected System

    Transforming a frozen-food company’s supply chain to increase connectivity that sets the table for enabling growth:

    • Develop a connected commercial and supply chain strategy
    • Rationalize SKUs to reduce complexity and align inventory and distribution with consumer demand
    • Assess manufacturing efficiency and implement continuous improvement processes
    • Use technology to improve logistics and realize cost savings
    Organic produce in grocery store shelf, Vegetables For Sale In Market.

    How EY can help

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    How producers are driving a more connected food ecosystem

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      Client story

       

      How a frozen-foods brand kept its cool on the way to being No. 1

      ▉ The challenge

       

      This frozen-food company was faced with overcomplexity and limited connectivity across its supply chain, hindering its ability to meet rising demand.

       

      ▉ The solution

       

      Implemented a commercial and supply chain strategy, improved inventory management, aligned production with consumer demand and enhanced connectivity for the client’s operations and distribution networks

       

      ▉ The outcome 

       

      Improved operational efficiency, cost reduction, accelerated market growth and enhanced customer satisfaction, resulting in increased profitability and expanded market share across the globe.

       

      Read the insights

      Planet-Friendly

      Helping food companies transition to sustainable packaging solutions for consumer satisfaction and reduced environmental impact:

      • Creating sustainable flexible packaging solutions for reduced environmental impact
      • Collaborating to create sound ecosystems and drive change at scale
      • Aligning internal resources and developing transition plans
      • Staying ahead of regulations and leveraging incentives for sustainable materials
      • Engaging consumers in adopting new behaviors and facilitating accurate recycling
      Girl reaching into packet taking a potato chip from the bag

      How EY can help

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      Redesign consumer company ecosystems to scale sustainability

      Companies operate in complex networks. Integrating the needs of consumers and policymakers creates more value for a sustainable future. Learn more.

      Kristina Rogers + 2

        Client story

         

        How can packaging keep things fresh without lasting a lifetime?

        ▉ The challenge

         

        Food companies need sustainable packaging solutions that reduce plastic waste, preserve product quality, reinforce brand identity, and align with evolving consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.

         

        ▉ The solution

         

        Deliver packaging solutions aligning internal resources, revisit product and consumer needs, stay ahead of regulations, partner to create ecosystems and engage consumers in sustainable behaviors.

         

        ▉ The outcome 

         

        Collaborating across the value chain on sustainable packaging enables food companies to balance economic viability, technical feasibility and sustainability while mitigating risks and driving scalability.

         

        Review more on the strategy

        Check out our Food System Reimagined content series

        Pasture to Plate: Navigating new innovations in land-based protein

        An EY Food and Agriculture Navigator special edition

        Subscribe to EY Navigator reports
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        Food System Reimagined Podcast Series

        In the Food System Reimagined podcast series, food industry experts share valuable insights into the rapidly evolving food system and how those changes could impact food businesses.

        Listen now
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        The Food System Reimagined Team

        Kathy Gramling

        EY Americas Principal, Consumer Products & Retail Sector
        25-year consumer products and retail veteran. Integration and teaming advocate. Passionate mentor and transformative leader. Wine enthusiast.
        Chicago, USA

        Lauren Chupp

        EY-Parthenon Americas Food and Agriculture Leader
        Food and agribusiness professional. Passionate about helping clients navigate a reimagined food system.
        Atlanta, USA

        Lee Addams

        EY-Parthenon Americas Agriculture Co-leader, Ernst & Young LLP
        Broad-based advisory and executive leader in agriculture, infrastructure, energy and natural resources. Client-success oriented. Trail runner, family focused, outdoor enthusiast.
        Chicago, USA

        Isaac Krakovsky

        EY Americas Consulting Retail Sector Leader
        Advising the retail, consumer and private equity industries for over 30 years. Passionate about leading teams, business transformation, family, skiing and golf.
        New York, USA

        Paul Bierbusse

        EY Americas Consumer Products & Retail Strategy & Transformation Lead
        Business analytics thought leader – providing global strategy and transformation consulting to C-suite executives. Passionate about helping enable others to succeed. Critical thinker.
        Atlanta, USA

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