Innovation: the Food Industry (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Leeds,
Innovation: the Food Industry (FutureLearn)

Learn how innovation has changed the food industry and the way we shop, and think about the global issue of food waste. This course considers the ways in which the food industry has evolved over the past 70 years and has created the industry of convenience we have today.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Introduced through a case study from Marks & Spencer, you will see how new innovations have changed the way we shop. You will also consider the issue of food waste: in a world where thousands suffer from malnutrition and starvation, you’ll consider possible innovations in your own society to this global problem.

What topics will you cover?

  • Key issues for innovation in the food retail sector
  • Drivers and challenges for innovation specific to the food industry
  • Case study: the ‘cold chain’ process at M&S
  • Looking for solutions to the wicked problem of food waste
  • Innovation and technology within the brewing process

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Explore the different types of innovation and think of examples of each.
  • Identify the three levels of innovation: incremental, radical, and disruptive.
  • Discuss the consumer needs that drive innovation in the food industry.
  • Reflect on a case study showing innovation in the cold chain process for food delivery.
  • Identify drivers in food retail innovation and discuss future directions for innovation in the food industry.
  • Explore how individuals and groups can aid innovation.
  • Identify examples of crowdsourcing activities.
  • Assess what the wicked problem of food waste is.
  • Summarise in less than 250 words an innovative solution for addressing the wicked problem of food waste.
  • Research and identify the drivers and challenges of technical innovations in the brewing process.
  • Assess your knowledge by successfully completing the test which concludes the course.
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

An Introduction to Innovation in Healthcare (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Bath,AHSN

An Introduction to Innovation in Healthcare (FutureLearn)

Explore the need for innovation in healthcare, the development, adoption and spread of an innovation, and blockers to adoption. Discover the tools needed for healthcare innovation. On this four-week course from the University of Bath and the West of England AHSN, you’ll be introduced to some of the tools and techniques that individuals and teams can use to develop and refine new products, processes, and services. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to initiate and support innovation initiatives in your own organisation.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Innovation Management: Winning in the Age of Disruption (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Innovation Management: Winning in the Age of Disruption (FutureLearn)

Learn how successful organisations like IBM manage innovation to disrupt markets and achieve business advantage. Find out how to manage innovation and make it happen in your organisation. This course from the Leeds University Business School will show you how to manage innovation through real-life examples from IBM. You’ll identify challenges to innovation management and develop an innovation strategy.

Sep 4th 2023
2 Weeks
On Strategy : What Managers Can Learn from Philosophy - PART 1 (Coursera) Coursera
CentraleSupélec

On Strategy : What Managers Can Learn from Philosophy - PART 1 (Coursera)

In the expression “creative thinking”, the keyword is not creativity; the keyword is thinking. With the help of great philosophers, you will rediscover the art of thinking. To help leaders to be rigorous even without figures, great philosophers have lots of ideas. Managers are invited to rediscover the art of thinking. They should understand the role of mental models, realize the importance of cognitive bias, agree on clear definitions and efficient criteria etc. Creativity demands the ability to unshackle ourselves from conventional ways of thinking, to "think outside the box".

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Uncovering Your Entrepreneurial Potential (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

Uncovering Your Entrepreneurial Potential (FutureLearn)

Explore what makes a good entrepreneur and how applying an entrepreneurial approach can create economic and social value. Reflect on and develop your own entrepreneurial approach to work. Taking an entrepreneurial approach to work can be useful in a range of contexts, not just starting your own company. This course will challenge your ideas about entrepreneurship and innovation and demonstrate how you can adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to benefit yourself and others. You will explore different ways to approach innovation and entrepreneurship in the workplace.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Climate Change Leadership (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Uppsala University

Climate Change Leadership (FutureLearn)

Learn how to apply climate change leadership in your business, municipality or organization, with this free online course. Climate change creates a situation of unprecedented urgency, complexity and uncertainty, but also opens up new opportunities for innovation and leadership. In this free online course, you will get a view of the leadership challenges associated with climate change, as well as the new arenas that are opening up for climate action.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Understanding Innovation in the Healthcare Sciences (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Manchester,Health Education England,Manchester Metropolitan University,Manchester Academy for Healthcare Scientist Education - MAHSE

Understanding Innovation in the Healthcare Sciences (FutureLearn)

What role does innovation play in the healthcare sciences? How can you innovate in your organisation? Find out with this course. The word ‘innovation’ is used a lot in today’s world - but what does it actually mean when it comes to the healthcare sciences? On this course you will attempt to answer that question, learning about the emerging field of ‘improvement science’ and discovering how improvement science methods can help healthcare scientists identify opportunities for innovation.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Leading Strategic Innovation: How to Lead with Purpose (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Deakin University,Coventry University

Leading Strategic Innovation: How to Lead with Purpose (FutureLearn)

Discover the importance of strategic thinking, innovation, and purposeful leadership when dealing with change. Refine your leadership purpose and learn how to innovate through change. Change is inevitable in both your personal and professional life. Although sometimes unexpected, it offers an opportunity to improve and innovate. On this course, you will investigate the nature of change and learn about the concept of strategic innovation.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Make an Impact: Sustainability for Professionals (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Bath

Make an Impact: Sustainability for Professionals (FutureLearn)

Find out how to integrate a sustainable development strategy into your company with this free online course. This free online course will cover the basic definitions and history of sustainable development and sustainability in business - from a niche interest to the present day. We’ll find out how and why businesses now routinely incorporate sustainable development, via corporate social responsibility policies, product innovation and new business models.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks