Name: Big data, small farms and a tale of two tomatoes
Uploaded: 2020-08-20T15:25:41Z
Duration: 15 min 11 s
Description: The path to better food is paved with data, says entrepreneur Erin Baumgartner. Drawing from her experience running a farm-to-table business, she outlines her plan to help create a healthier, zero-waste food system that values the quality and taste of small, local farm harvests over factory-farmed produce.

The path to better food is paved with data, says entrepreneur Erin Baumgartner. Drawing from her experience running a farm-to-table business, she outlines her plan to help create a healthier, zero-waste food system that values the quality and taste of small, local farm harvests over factory-farmed produce.

Big data, small farms and a tale of two tomatoes

Harnessing data and analytics can transform the broken food system, eliminating massive waste and reviving quality and taste. Each year, 1.6 billion tons of food—worth $1.2 trillion—goes to waste, much of it due to inefficiencies in supply chains and overemphasis on profit. By connecting small farms with technology and smarter predictions, a distributed network can bring fresher, better food to more people. This data-driven approach empowers communities and rewards farmers who prioritize flavor, sustainability, and humanity.