ABSTRACT
An accelerating discussion about population growth, changing dietary habits, and the ability of the global food system to keep pace with demand has occupied the minds of governments, producers, processors, and nonprofit stakeholder communities. The conversations center around how productivity can be enhanced to keep pace while minimizing impacts to the global environment and respecting local customs and cultures. Current trajectories indicate that global food production systems are perilously close to losing the race to meet the need expected by 2050. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs/Populations Division estimated world population in 2015 at 7.349 billion people. They estimate the number to increase to 9.725 billion by 2050 and 11.213 billion by 2100. In addition to population growth, several other factors impact demand for food. Notably, the increase in personal income worldwide is driving change in dietary demand. In many regions of the world, low-income populations are moving into middle-income categories.
