The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef recently held its 2021 Global Conference on Sustainable Beef. The group heard from multiple speakers during the event, including OSI Group’s Nicole Johnson-Hoffman.
Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Promotes Responsible Practices Worldwide
The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) was founded nine years ago to promote and pursue responsible practices in the beef industry. The group faced substantial challenges when it formed, not the least of which was simply getting stakeholders to pursue the common goal. As Nicole Johnson-Hoffman reminded the group, however, it has overcome many of those initial challenges.
For instance, the group has grown to include about 500 members from different parts of the beef industry. Farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, regulators, policymakers and advocates are all part of the group. Considering that these members often have different (if not competing) interests, getting them to work together to better the industry is a substantial accomplishment.
The Global Conference on Sustainable Beef Is an Annual Event
The GRSB holds a yearly summit, the Global Conference on Sustainable Beef. Because there were obvious public health concerns this year, the conference was held digitally. Through the digital medium, members were able to network, speak and listen to various members.
Nicole Johnson-Hoffman Is Respected Within the Beef Industry
Johnson-Hoffman wasn’t merely a speaker at the 2021 Global Conference on Sustainable Beef; she gave one of the event’s more prominent addresses. Her experience and credentials have established her as a well-respected name within the beef industry.
Johnson-Hoffman is a 25-year veteran of the beef industry and has been a board member for multiple organizations within the industry. Most recently, Johnson-Hoffman has worked with OSI Group for the past five years. She came on board with the company as a Senior Vice President and has since become the company’s Global McDonald’s Business Unit Leader, the Managing Director of Further Processed Foods in Europe, and the company’s Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO).
As OSI Group’s CSO, Johnson-Hoffman works with a global team of sustainability managers to improve supply chain sustainability, social sustainability, and environmental sustainability. The team has secured an industry-leading partnership with Impossible Foods and won awards for its sustainability efforts in both North America and Europe.
Before taking on the role of CSO, Johnson-Hoffman also served directly with the GRSB. She was the group’s vice president and then president, and continues to serve the organization as immediate past president. This allows her to continue to maintain a significant presence within the group and continue its important work.
Johnson-Hoffman Covered Multiple Topics in Her Address
Nicole Johnson-Hoffman covered a variety of topics in her speech at the 2021 Global Conference on Sustainable Beef. Some topics touched on past accomplishments, communication and the group’s dynamics going forward.
First, Johnson-Hoffman commended the group for its accomplishments thus far. She drew on the success of bringing all members together and what they’ve accomplished to encourage the group, noting that many of these challenges seemed insurmountable nine years ago when the group was formed.
Second, she reminded the group that its progress was based in grounded science. In preparation for speaking on the importance of communication, Johnson-Hoffman reminded the group that it has the research necessary to speak on facts rather than feelings or hypotheses.
Third, she stated the importance of remaining grounded in the face of false assumptions. Assumptions that American companies are superior, Europe is inherently more sustainable because of greater regulation, or the United States and Europe operate in the same way are all false and counterproductive.
Fourth, Johnson-Hoffman encouraged the group to welcome critics into its folds. Critics aren’t parties that have an outright objection to the meat industry, as she described those parties as opponents. Instead, critics have real concerns about current practices and a true desire to make the beef industry more sustainable. These parties have value to add to the group, and their shared interest can be beneficial if there’s grounded communication.
Going forward, Johnson-Hoffman underscored the importance of productive communication amongst all parties in the beef industry. That includes current group members, critics, and even opponents.
