Could a Circular Food System contribute to Nutrition Security and Sufficiency? The Bean Hull Case

Food production and agro-industrial processing generate high levels of waste and by-products (such as peels, hulls and leaves), causing a negative environmental impact and significant expenses. Our global food system is highly inefficient with losses or wastage of food amounting to between 30 and 50% of all food produced. Around 220 million tons of food is estimated to be wasted every year, the equivalent of the entire net food production of sub-Saharan Africa (Food and Agriculture Organisation).

A Virtual Tour around Scotland’s Innovative Climate Research

Designed by an interdisciplinary team of scientific experts, and funded by SEFARI Gateway’s Responsive Opportunity Fund, our Google earth tours feature climate research from across SEFARI’s consortium of globally renowned institutes, namely Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS), the James Hutton Institute, Moredun Research Institute, the Rowett Institute, Royal Botanic Garden E

Food and Drink Innovation and Clustering in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands: review of opportunities for engagement with the Arctic Region

This preliminary research explored food and drink innovation and clustering in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands and reviewed potential opportunities for engagement with partners in the Arctic region. It addresses the Scottish Government’s Arctic Policy Framework, which seeks to reinforce and promote Scotland’s connections with northern countries.

Food and Drink Innovation and Clustering in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands: review of opportunities for engagement with the Arctic Region

This preliminary research explored food and drink innovation and clustering in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands and reviewed potential opportunities for engagement with partners in the Arctic region. It addresses the Scottish Government’s Arctic Policy Framework, which seeks to reinforce and promote Scotland’s connections with northern countries.

Food and Drink Innovation and Clustering in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands: Summary

The summary outlines the economic and policy contexts of the Arctic region, drawing out contrasts and similarities with the Highlands and Islands. It examines official data for evidence of food and drink clusters in the Highlands and Islands and, using a case study of the European Union’s protected names schemes, engagement with geographical indications. Aspects of the values and behaviour of food and drink entrepreneurs are explored using new data from a separate Scottish Government-funded research project.

Food and Drink Innovation and Clustering in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands: review of opportunities for engagement with the Arctic Region

The report outlines the economic and policy contexts of the Arctic region, drawing out contrasts and similarities with the Highlands and Islands. It examines official data for evidence of food and drink clusters in the Highlands and Islands and, using a case study of the European Union’s protected names scheme, engagement with geographical indications. Aspects of the values and behaviour of food and drink entrepreneurs are explored using new data from a separate Scottish Government-funded research project.

Eat them to beat them: Can Invasive Plants be Harnessed to Provide a Sustainable Source of Protein?

Invasive plants compete with crops of commercial interest for resources, tending to outgrow them owing to more robust dispersal mechanisms and quicker germination times. Once established, invasive species also become exceedingly difficult to remove. Currently, removal of unwanted plant mass generally involves animal consumption (herbivory), incineration, mechanical removal, or disposal in landfill. The use of herbicides is also a popular and often the preferred method of managing unwanted plant invasion.

Food habits in the time of COVID-19 – experiences and adaptation

In the last year, we have been able to flexibly adapt our research in order to react to the evolving COVID-19 situation. We collected data in both the early (first) ‘lockdown’ (May 2020) and then as the local restrictions in Aberdeen City began to be eased and schools went back after the summer break (‘post-lockdown’; August 2020).

SEFARI Gateway Update - January 2021

Before we discuss our new projects we must express our delight that in November one of the first projects we funded, namely ‘Conserving Genetic Diversity’, won the Innovation category at the Nature of Scotland Awards. This multi collaborative project established a world-first method to help understand and conserve genetic diversity in some of Scotland's most iconic wild species. Congratulations to all.

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