She Helps Make Food A Force For Good

Zina Kirov was a very creative child who loved to draw, paint and use her imagination. “I love helping my mom cook, cooking with my mom, seasoning, changing ingredients, using different techniques, all the way to the final dish. was,” she says Kiroff.

She remembers baking a pie for her brother that took a whole day to make. But they devoured it in just a few minutes. “I was upset because I wanted to eat last rather than be devoured,” she says. “Believe me, this is not my approach today.”

Kirov has taken that passion for cooking and creation into her career. After working in the advertising industry, she joined Unilever 16 years ago where she led the marketing of various food and other products. She currently oversees her Knorr brand for North America and is focused on major work that has a positive impact on society.

To that end, Kiroff is responsible for overseeing Knorr’s end-to-end business strategy. Her focus is on helping brands take steps to implement regenerative practices to source the ingredients used in their products. Their mission is to bring nutritious food to everyone, everywhere. to make it available.

The importance of creating and maintaining healthy soil is coming to the forefront. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly approved World Soil Day to be celebrated on 5 December each year. According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), 95% of our food comes from the soil. However, 33% of soil is degraded. Over the past 70 years, the amount of nutrients and vitamins in food has decreased significantly.

To mark World Soil Day and consider what the food industry can do to maintain healthy farming practices and foster food security, Kirov attended a special dinner in New York City where former White House chef , joined with Sam Kass, Regenerative Agriculture.

“The dinner you’re about to eat costs $72 tonight. In 2050, that exact same meal will cost $566 because the ingredients we rely on are even scarcer,” said the Obamas. said Kass, who was the head chef of Kass was also the first-ever senior policy adviser on nutrition and executive director of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative.

Kass and Kiroff explained that if today’s conventional farming practices continue, rice and other staple foods could become scarce and expensive. Food is how we express ourselves. And if we stay on our current path, our children and grandchildren won’t be able to enjoy what we’re eating here,” Kass said. It’s all about two things: understanding the role of food and agriculture for change, and committing to an accessible future for food.”

Jeryl Brunner: Why do you think regenerative agriculture and farming are important?

Gina Kirov: Regenerative agriculture describes agricultural and grazing practices that reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring biodiversity to degraded soils. This means that carbon dioxide is taken up from the atmosphere and trapped in the soil. The result is improved water circulation and interaction with the environment.

Regenerative agriculture/agriculture is replenishing the soil and restoring the land. It’s all about successfully implementing and implementing entirely new ways to build ecosystems. Imagine cleaner air, restored forests, replenished water supplies, higher yields, more secure food supplies, improved habitats and increased wildlife biodiversity. .

Brunner: So what about the vegetables?

Kirov: In the future, when the soil loses nutrients and trace minerals, vegetables become less nutritious. Modern intensive farming methods are causing soil depletion. It has taken more and more nutrients from the soil in which the food we eat grows.

Brunner: What is Knorr doing to help the environment?

Kirov: In 2021, Knorr will launch 50 regenerative agriculture projects around the world, growing our ingredients through practices that help people and the planet thrive now and into the future. They give back more than they receive. Our projects build on Knorr’s 10+ years of working with farmers and suppliers, resulting in 95% of his vegetables and herbs being sustainably sourced around the world. Now

The Knorr Regenerative Agriculture Roadmap is part of the €1 billion Unilever Climate & Nature Fund, which accelerates the brand’s commitment to nature and climate projects. Knorr’s plan will contribute to Unilever’s commitment to protect and restore more than 3,700,000 acres of land, forests and oceans by 2030. Key ingredients such as vegetables, herbs, spices and grains grown using regenerative farming principles are utilized in products around the world across Knorr’s portfolio. sold.

Brunner: Can you suggest some things people can do to make the planet more sustainable?

Kirov: There are many ways individuals can make a difference. It all starts with education, learning about regenerative agriculture, and supporting companies that adopt it. Buy from local farmers and brands that practice regenerative agriculture. We also support organizations such as non-profits and research institutes working on regenerative agriculture. Or plant your own regeneration garden.

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