What can the private sector do?

The private sector can make a difference by sharing expertise and resources.

Support small enterprises: Large enterprises should do everything possible to keep their businesses going, insulate supply chains and consider extending credit where needed to help smaller enterprises stay afloat.

Promote food safety: Respect national food safety regulations and measures to protect food as well as staff.

Reinforce good hygienic practices and better food safety and quality along the food chains.

Provide good working conditions: Private businesses should invest in sustainable, resilient food systems with decent employment and social protection programmes, to protect the most vulnerable.

Make healthy diets appealing, available and affordable: Private sector food-related businesses and retailers need to make healthy and sustainable food options attractive, available and affordable.

Share technologies: Food companies should share technologies that transform food systems and manage supplies, especially where highly perishable goods are involved (fruit, vegetables, fish, aquatic products, etc.).

Support small farmers through e-commerce: E-commerce companies can facilitate trading of surplus produce in times of crisis and increase the marketing of agricultural products with special subsidies for small farmers. They can also open their businesses as much as possible to small farmers/ producers.

Offer fair financial terms: Banks and financial institutions can help farmers with outstanding loans by waiving fees, extending payment due dates, or offering repayment plans for farmers who cannot work or sell their produce due to conditions like pandemic restrictions.

Share knowledge: Companies can share expertise or technologies with the public and other private entities to help improve sustainable food production and livelihoods through the development of mobile apps and other digital tools to help tackle challenges ranging from climate change and crop pests to pandemics.