Bill Layden is one of the advisors for the Friedman School and the founder of Layden Enterprises. He helps organizations explore their potential and create innovative development pathways. His interest is to take human nutrition, move it back to the agricultural system, and leverage science into applicable knowledge. Before founding Layden Enterprises, Bill worked as a congressional investigator and at the USDA for many years. He was also one of the founders of Foodminds, a unique food and nutrition communication and consulting company.
Here are some highlights from the conversation between Katie Stebbins from the Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute and Bill Layden.
What should students know about the private sector?
There are more opportunities to impact public health through the private sector than anywhere else. By working with food and beverage companies, we can easily impact a larger population. We really need to think about what we can do to help people to thrive in the future.
Could you talk about the interaction between climate change and the food supply chain?
Total energy consumption is always an issue. It is about what we can do to minimize the impact on the earth and try to look at the issue from a comprehensive economic landscape. The best practice may not be that every nation has to do the same thing to be sustainable. The best places to do things and plant crops are different. Trade will be the solution.
How can private sectors approach the value proposition of creating a supply chain that prioritizes nutrition?
Companies can only do so much. They have to respond to consumers’ demands. For consumers, taste is the king. The emphasis on nutrition value could be one of the consumers’ demands. We depend on nutritional science for sure. It is about finding the right balance.
What are some strategies for working with food companies about sustainability topics?
We can try to incorporate our knowledge into their knowledge systems. Students can be advocates. And I believe there is always a business way to promote sustainability.
As the founder FoodMinds, what is your insight about storytelling?
Don’t just tell a story — tell a better story. Use intelligence to create a vision. It is not about describing the current situation, but about telling the world where we are going and what can be achieved
What is some advice that you can give to our students?
Future opportunities come from providing better welfare and promoting prosperity in the society. These opportunities will be revenue-generating and beneficial to individuals and communities at the same time. Take interesting classes and look for ways to apply your knowledge. Spending two hours in the cereal aisle can teach you a lot about the private sector too!
