Innovation: the Food Industry (FutureLearn)

Introduced through a case study from Marks & Spencer, you will see how new innovations have changed the way we shop. You will also consider the issue of food waste: in a world where thousands suffer from malnutrition and starvation, you’ll consider possible innovations in your own society to this global problem.

What topics will you cover?

• Key issues for innovation in the food retail sector
• Drivers and challenges for innovation specific to the food industry
• Case study: the ‘cold chain’ process at M&S
• Looking for solutions to the wicked problem of food waste
• Innovation and technology within the brewing process

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

• Explore the different types of innovation and think of examples of each.
• Identify the three levels of innovation: incremental, radical, and disruptive.
• Discuss the consumer needs that drive innovation in the food industry.
• Reflect on a case study showing innovation in the cold chain process for food delivery.
• Identify drivers in food retail innovation and discuss future directions for innovation in the food industry.
• Explore how individuals and groups can aid innovation.
• Identify examples of crowdsourcing activities.
• Assess what the wicked problem of food waste is.
• Summarise in less than 250 words an innovative solution for addressing the wicked problem of food waste.
• Research and identify the drivers and challenges of technical innovations in the brewing process.
• Assess your knowledge by successfully completing the test which concludes the course.