University of Cambridge
Sustainable Food: Production and Processing
Discover new models, processes, and approaches for achieving sustainable food systems that can equitably meet the nutritional demands of an expanding global population within planetary boundaries.
Starting soon
Start date
05 June 2024
Enroll by 28 May 2024
Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
Over one in 10 adults will struggle with obesity in 2025 due to malnutrition caused by food insecurity.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2021).
Up to a tenth of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed.
United Nations Environment Programme (Mar, 2021).
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
Global population growth is placing unprecedented strain on already-stretched modern food systems. With the added pressure of a changing climate, creaking supply chains, and greater consumer scrutiny, the need to transform these systems has become urgent.
The Sustainable Food: Production and Processing online short course from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) equips you to shape resilient food systems to equitably feed the growing global population in a challenging environment. Over eight weeks online, you’ll explore the different aspects of a sustainable future food system, and the micro-, meso-, and macro-level changes required to transform the way food is produced, processed, and consumed. With guidance from expert CISL faculty, you’ll discover new business models, technologies, and processes for embedding sustainability into food supply chains, and build practical strategies for leading this transformation in your own organisation or sector. By the end of the course, you’ll have consolidated your learnings through a number of peer-centred live sessions and forum discussions, and will have developed your own Personal Action Plan for leading sustainability initiatives in your context.
Is this course for you?
This course will benefit individuals working at every stage of global or local food systems, from the supplier to the consumer. Agricultural professionals, including commercial and small-scale farmers, ranch managers, agricultural engineers or technicians, and agronomists will gain practical tools for delivering nutritious, affordable, and sustainable food to all. Those in the manufacturing, retail, wholesale, or service sectors, such as supply chain and procurement professionals, food and beverage managers, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs aspiring to start a sustainable business will discover scalable models for achieving resilient food systems. And analysts, policymakers, consultants, and lobbyists working in finance, marketing, and public relations will learn how to clearly articulate the case for sustainable food production, processing, and consumption.
This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
This is your opportunity to unleash your potential for extraordinary impact. By completing a course with CISL, you'll develop the skills, confidence, and network to lead change in your sector, organisation and sphere of influence to make significant contributions to society. Extraordinary change happens when passionate and inspired individuals share a common purpose to drive meaningful impact for the collective good.
Course overview
Course overview
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
Global population growth is placing unprecedented strain on already-stretched modern food systems. With the added pressure of a changing climate, creaking supply chains, and greater consumer scrutiny, the need to transform these systems has become urgent.
The Sustainable Food: Production and Processing online short course from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) equips you to shape resilient food systems to equitably feed the growing global population in a challenging environment. Over eight weeks online, you’ll explore the different aspects of a sustainable future food system, and the micro-, meso-, and macro-level changes required to transform the way food is produced, processed, and consumed. With guidance from expert CISL faculty, you’ll discover new business models, technologies, and processes for embedding sustainability into food supply chains, and build practical strategies for leading this transformation in your own organisation or sector. By the end of the course, you’ll have consolidated your learnings through a number of peer-centred live sessions and forum discussions, and will have developed your own Personal Action Plan for leading sustainability initiatives in your context.
Is this course for you?
This course will benefit individuals working at every stage of global or local food systems, from the supplier to the consumer. Agricultural professionals, including commercial and small-scale farmers, ranch managers, agricultural engineers or technicians, and agronomists will gain practical tools for delivering nutritious, affordable, and sustainable food to all. Those in the manufacturing, retail, wholesale, or service sectors, such as supply chain and procurement professionals, food and beverage managers, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs aspiring to start a sustainable business will discover scalable models for achieving resilient food systems. And analysts, policymakers, consultants, and lobbyists working in finance, marketing, and public relations will learn how to clearly articulate the case for sustainable food production, processing, and consumption.
This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
This is your opportunity to unleash your potential for extraordinary impact. By completing a course with CISL, you'll develop the skills, confidence, and network to lead change in your sector, organisation and sphere of influence to make significant contributions to society. Extraordinary change happens when passionate and inspired individuals share a common purpose to drive meaningful impact for the collective good.
What will set you apart
A sound understanding of the past, present, and future of the evolving food system and of the most urgent challenges of modern food security.
Enhanced knowledge of how innovative technologies, new business models, and refined processes can help build more resilient food systems.
Practical leadership skills to drive organisational change, take advantage of opportunities in the market, and embed sustainability into the food supply chain. 
An ambitious Personal Action Plan for leading strategic action, fine-tuned and strengthened through meaningful collaboration with your peers.
Unlimited access to 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
The rapidly changing context of food
Module 2
A new sustainable food future
Module 3
New business models and approaches for sustainable food
Module 4
Embedding sustainability into food supply chains
Module 5
Innovations in sustainable food production and processing
Module 6
Leading transformational change in your context
Module 7
Developing your sustainable food Personal Action Plan
Module 8
Collaborating to create sustainable food systems
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What past students
think
Merel Wallis
Sustainability Consultant
The course gives you an excellent understanding of what the current food system looks like, particularly its challenges, to help you understand what a sustainable one would look like, and how you can play your part in achieving it. This course makes a wealth of knowledge available, but it depends on how much effort and time you put into [it that determines] how much of it you will come away with. I recommend [putting in] full effort, it's worth it.
Course Convenors
Martin Roberts
Director of Digital Learning, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
David Farrell
Chief Executive Officer, Blue North Sustainability
About the certificate
Learn how to shape sustainable food systems and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
