University of Cambridge
Sustainable Food: Production and Processing
Explore new models, methodologies and strategies to establish sustainable food systems capable of equitably satisfying the nutritional needs of a growing global population while operating within the limits of our planet.
Start date
19 March 2025
Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
Over one in 10 adults will struggle with obesity in 2025 due to malnutrition caused by food insecurity.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2021).
Up to a tenth of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed.
United Nations Environment Programme (Mar, 2021).
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
The rapid growth of the global population has placed unprecedented pressure on modern food systems, which are already stretched to their limits. This, combined with a changing climate, supply chain issues and heightened consumer scrutiny, has created an urgent need to transform these systems.
The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) offers the Sustainable Food: Production and Processing online short course to equip individuals with the necessary skills to create resilient food systems that provide equitable food access for the growing global population, even in challenging environments. Over eight weeks, you will explore various aspects of a sustainable food system and analyse the micro-, meso-, and macro-level changes required to transform how food is produced, processed and consumed. With guidance from expert CISL faculty, you will discover new business models, technologies, and processes for embedding sustainability into food supply chains and develop practical strategies for leading this transformation in your own organisation or sector. Through peer-centred live sessions and forum discussions, you will consolidate your learning and develop a Personal Action Plan to lead sustainability initiatives in your respective contexts.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to benefit individuals working across all stages of global or local food systems, from suppliers to consumers. Agricultural professionals, including commercial and small-scale farmers, ranch managers, agricultural engineers or technicians and agronomists, will learn practical tools to deliver nutritious, affordable, and sustainable food. Those working in the manufacturing, retail, wholesale, or service sectors, such as supply chain and procurement professionals, food and beverage managers, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs aspiring to start sustainable businesses, will explore scalable models for building resilient food systems. Moreover, analysts, policymakers, consultants, and lobbyists in finance, marketing and public relations will develop skills to effectively communicate the benefits of sustainable food production, processing and consumption.
This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
This is your opportunity to unleash your potential for extraordinary impact. By completing a course with CISL, you'll develop the skills, confidence, and network to lead change in your sector, organisation and sphere of influence to make significant contributions to society. Extraordinary change happens when passionate and inspired individuals share a common purpose to drive meaningful impact for the collective good.
Course overview
Course overview
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
The rapid growth of the global population has placed unprecedented pressure on modern food systems, which are already stretched to their limits. This, combined with a changing climate, supply chain issues and heightened consumer scrutiny, has created an urgent need to transform these systems.
The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) offers the Sustainable Food: Production and Processing online short course to equip individuals with the necessary skills to create resilient food systems that provide equitable food access for the growing global population, even in challenging environments. Over eight weeks, you will explore various aspects of a sustainable food system and analyse the micro-, meso-, and macro-level changes required to transform how food is produced, processed and consumed. With guidance from expert CISL faculty, you will discover new business models, technologies, and processes for embedding sustainability into food supply chains and develop practical strategies for leading this transformation in your own organisation or sector. Through peer-centred live sessions and forum discussions, you will consolidate your learning and develop a Personal Action Plan to lead sustainability initiatives in your respective contexts.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to benefit individuals working across all stages of global or local food systems, from suppliers to consumers. Agricultural professionals, including commercial and small-scale farmers, ranch managers, agricultural engineers or technicians and agronomists, will learn practical tools to deliver nutritious, affordable, and sustainable food. Those working in the manufacturing, retail, wholesale, or service sectors, such as supply chain and procurement professionals, food and beverage managers, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs aspiring to start sustainable businesses, will explore scalable models for building resilient food systems. Moreover, analysts, policymakers, consultants, and lobbyists in finance, marketing and public relations will develop skills to effectively communicate the benefits of sustainable food production, processing and consumption.
This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
This is your opportunity to unleash your potential for extraordinary impact. By completing a course with CISL, you'll develop the skills, confidence, and network to lead change in your sector, organisation and sphere of influence to make significant contributions to society. Extraordinary change happens when passionate and inspired individuals share a common purpose to drive meaningful impact for the collective good.
What will set you apart
A sound understanding of the past, present, and future of the evolving food system and of the most urgent challenges of modern food security.
Enhanced knowledge of how innovative technologies, new business models, and refined processes can help build more resilient food systems.
Practical leadership skills to drive organisational change, take advantage of opportunities in the market, and embed sustainability into the food supply chain. 
An ambitious Personal Action Plan for leading strategic action, fine-tuned and strengthened through meaningful collaboration with your peers.
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
The rapidly changing context of food
Module 2
A new sustainable food future
Module 3
New business models and approaches for sustainable food
Module 4
Embedding sustainability into food supply chains
Module 5
Innovations in sustainable food production and processing
Module 6
Leading transformational change in your context
Module 7
Developing your sustainable food Personal Action Plan
Module 8
Collaborating to create sustainable food systems
Get more information
What past students
think
Rosie Bradshaw
Consultant
This course has been an incredibly valuable experience and was consistent in quality across the board. The outside speakers were relevant and timely for the topics we were studying, and the material itself was an engaging mixture of different mediums including text, video and podcasts. Sustainability is such a broad, [...] intimidating subject to broach, but I've left this course with [the] tools to take these ideas and learnings into my wider network and start implementing change.
Course Convenors
Martin Roberts
Director of Digital Learning, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
David Farrell
Chief Executive Officer, Blue North Sustainability
About the certificate
Learn how to shape sustainable food systems and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
Get more information
Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
