Dr Fiona Borthwick introduces you to the key stages of the food system and how they are linked. We will look at the increasing global nature of food systems, the basic concept of sustainability and what are some of the negative impacts associated with the different stages of food systems. Why is it important to look at food systems as a whole? We cannot determine which end of the food system is more significant in driving sustainability or causing negative impacts. As food systems become more global and complex, understanding the connection between these two ends of the pipeline becomes increasingly important.