FutureLearn

Innovation: the Food Industry (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Leeds,
Innovation: the Food Industry (FutureLearn)

Learn how innovation has changed the food industry and the way we shop, and think about the global issue of food waste. This course considers the ways in which the food industry has evolved over the past 70 years and has created the industry of convenience we have today.

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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.
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