Empowering female workers in the food sector
Even though gender equality is a global issue, the food industry has recently changed in a progressive way, especially in terms of encouraging gender diversity in the workforce. As per GlobalData, in 2021, there was “significant women representation” in the workforces of food companies such as Mondelez, General Mills, Hershey, Kraft Heinz, and Danone.
Using Mondelez International Inc. (Mondelez) as an example, the business stated that 32.5 percent of its employees are female. In contrast, General Mills stated in 2021 that 50% of its workforce was made up of women.
When it comes to the gender split of their workforce, some businesses appear to be leading the way in the food industry, but others are still trailing behind. According to a McKinsey & Company report, women constitute nearly half of the entry-level workforce in the food industry and make up the majority of food-purchasing decisions made in the US, but their representation in the industry is still lacking above this level.
Women now work in the food industry in a variety of capacities, from research to education, from farm to fork. In light of this, New The food spoke with Stephanie Slater, the owner and president of School Food Matters, Jackie Bowen, the executive director of the Clean Label Project, and Helen Sisson, the technical director of Two Sisters Food Group, to honor their contributions to a sector that provides the environment with the energy it needs to undergo ongoing change.
What does being a woman employed in the food industry mean to you?
her The authors Sisson (HS): “I am employed in a field that I adore and find fulfilling, particularly because of its diversity, fast-paced nature, and significant role in our country’s infrastructure. I’m proud to be a woman who has advanced to a senior position and who has a fantastic family. If that is what you want, I hope to serve as an example for other women, demonstrating that you can successfully balance a career and a family.
“As an effective executive and change agent in the food industry who just so happens to be a woman, I wouldn’t personally describe myself as a woman working in the food industry,” said Jackie Bowen (JB).
she Slater, who (SS): “I feel a great sense of responsibility and pride in the work that I do as a woman working in the food industry.” My love of food and nutrition has inspired me to make it my career to provide young people with access to wholesome food, which will improve their health and wellbeing. I think that having a female perspective and method in this industry has enabled me to bring about positive change.
Is your current position always what you had in mind for a career?
the high school: “Even though I wasn’t really aware of the roles that were available or what they involved as a student, I have always wanted to work in the food industry. I have had the good fortune to work on a variety of product lines and be exposed to a variety of roles and functions, which has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. In addition to my day job, I really enjoy using my knowledge and experience to support the industry through a variety of activities, such as the creation and chairing of the Food Industry Intelligence Network and serving as a Trustee for FareShare. I have achieved my personal goal of rising to a senior executive role.
JB is used to: “I feel great about who I am now because, when I think back, I know that the 12-year-old Jackie would think I’m a badass. Even though the future is unpredictable, it is comforting to know that you are contributing to history by doing worthwhile work, which helps you go to sleep at night.
SS: “Not at all! I worked in the film industry for 20 years, and 15 years ago, I never would have thought that I would be establishing a charity. I’m appreciative of the chances I’ve been given because they’ve enabled me to combine my passions for food and education to establish a platform for change. I have the opportunity to collaborate with communities, educational institutions, and policymakers to support children’s and youth’s access to healthy food and nutrition education thanks to my work with School Food Matters.
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What changes do you hope to see for women working in the food industry over the next five years?
HS: “That women are equally represented in all roles and functions within the food industry, and that we are seeing a greater representation of women on company boards and in senior executive positions.” Additionally, that the sector generates learning opportunities for success, growth, and development while also maintaining and improving its diversity and inclusion strategy.
“In broader terms, I hope to see the industry marketed as a place to pursue a successful career and the variety of opportunities it offers to be more widely acknowledged and accepted.”
JB: “I hope to see more female entrepreneurs leading start-ups and providing them with the funding they need to grow.” We have excellent insight into what customers and families need and want because women are often the head of their household.
The weakness: “I would love to see more acknowledgment of the role that women play in the food industry in the next five years, especially in areas like leadership and innovation. More training programs and mentorship programs, in my opinion, are required to assist women who want to grow in their careers. In addition, there has to be a stronger emphasis on solving problems like food poverty, sustainability, and climate change, which are significant obstacles for the food sector and will need the knowledge and experience of women to properly address.
Even though there are many women in prominent positions in the global food industry—for example, Thérèse Coffey, the UK’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs—there is still a long way to go until complete gender parity is achieved throughout the industry.
But given that they are vital contributors to an invaluable industry that keeps evolving and providing for a world that is changing all the time, Bowen’s perspective—that she is a “agent of change in the food industry that just happens to be a woman”—may be one that women in the field decide to take up in the years to come.