Feb 10, 2025
Sustainability in the food industry – an interview with SustainLab's founder
When it comes to sustainability in the food industry, no one questions that change is needed. But despite good intentions, many companies struggle to move from ambition to real impact. To understand why, we sat down with Maria Svantemark, SustainLab’s founder, who has firsthand experience leading sustainability efforts in the food industry.
She shared her journey, the biggest roadblocks companies face, and what it really takes to create change.
"We had the strategy, but change was too slow"
Before starting SustainLab, Maria worked as the sustainability manager at Nomad Foods, one of Europe's largest frozen food companies. Despite having a clear sustainability strategy in place, she frequently encountered the same challenges. Decisions were often made using incomplete or outdated data, which made it difficult to move forward effectively. Additionally, sustainability goals sometimes conflicted with business incentives, creating tension between short-term business needs and long-term environmental objectives. Limited resources also slowed progress, making it harder to implement meaningful changes. On top of that, the complexity of the company's supply chains made it challenging to track the full impact of their operations.
“I left with one big question: why is sustainability still so hard to implement, even when everyone agrees it's important? That’s what I wanted to fix.”
3 significant blockers
Maria points to three key reasons why food companies struggle with sustainability:
Lack of high-quality, up-to-date data
“When you don’t have the right data, decisions become guesswork. And in sustainability, bad data leads to bad decisions.”Conflicting internal goals and incentives
“Procurement teams often focus on cost efficiency, while sustainability teams prioritize long-term environmental and social impact. Aligning these goals is key to driving meaningful progress without unnecessary trade-offs.”Long, complex supply chains
“In food supply chains, the biggest environmental impact happens at the primary production level—raising livestock, growing crops, or fishing. Yet, many companies struggle to see beyond their first-tier suppliers. When primary producers are small, local farmers, direct oversight and demands become even more challenging.”
How to break the cycle and drive real change
So, what’s the solution? Maria believes food companies need three things to make sustainability work:
Automated, reliable data – "We need systems that don’t rely on people chasing spreadsheets."
Integration across the whole business – "Sustainability can’t sit in a separate team—it has to be embedded in all teams, like procurement, finance, and operations."
Stronger collaboration – "No company can fix this alone. The industry needs to work together to push for change."
This thinking shaped how SustainLab was built.
"Making sustainability work for the food industry"
Maria emphasizes that food production is deeply connected to environmental impact, from emissions and biodiversity to water consumption and food waste.
“Sustainability in the food industry is more than reducing carbon footprints—it’s about balancing environmental goals with food security, supply chain resilience, and business viability. Companies need the right data to make those trade-offs.”
She points to common issues food companies face, such as:
Tracking deforestation-free supply chains for raw materials like soy and palm oil.
Reducing food waste across production and distribution while maintaining profitability.
Ensuring fair labor practices and improving working conditions across supply chains, where risks of exploitative labor remain high.
“These challenges are specific to food companies, and they require specific solutions. That’s why the industry needs better tools and collaboration.”
"Why food companies need better CSRD solutions"
SustainLab was created to overcome the key challenges companies face in achieving CSRD compliance and driving sustainability in the food industry. The platform automates CSRD sustainability data collection, helping teams focus less on administrative tasks and more on taking meaningful action. It provides a comprehensive view of supply chain impact, allowing businesses to monitor everything from climate emissions to biodiversity and food waste. Furthermore, our platform facilitates the alignment of sustainability goals with business objectives, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage rather than a cost burden. As Maria reflects, "We created the tool I wished I had when I was a sustainability manager."
The future of sustainability in food
The food industry is under pressure from new regulations (like CSRD), shifting consumer expectations, and the reality of climate change. Companies that don’t adapt will struggle to keep up.
But for those that get it right? The opportunity is massive.
“We know what needs to change. Now, it’s about making it happen—faster, smarter, and at scale. That’s why SustainLab exists.”
Ready to make CSRD compliance easier?
Sustainability doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you're ready to automate CSRD sustainability tracking, simplify reporting, and get a clear view of your impact, let’s talk.
Book a demo and see how SustainLab can help.
