ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
Microbial (mainly bacterial) breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, under managed conditions at a temperature suitable for naturally occurring microbial species to produce biogas (mainly methane) and digestates (also known as 'biosolids').
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
The capacity of microorganisms - such as bacteria, viruses, and some parasites - to stop antimicrobial substances working against them.1
BIOECONOMY
The parts of the economy that use renewable biological resources from land and sea - such as crops, forests, fish, animals, and microorganisms - to produce food, materials, and energy.
BIOFERTILISERS
A specific subset of organic fertilisers, which contain living microorganisms that help with nutrient cycling, thereby activating the soil to enrich its own fertility. Sometimes also referred to as inoculants.
COMPOST
A soil-type matter produced from decomposed materials, which can contain more than 50% organic dry matter. The nutrient constitution depends on the feedstock and includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon.
COMPOSTING
Microbial (bacteria and fungi) breakdown of organic matter in the presence of oxygen to produce soil with high organic (humus) content. Composting produces carbon dioxide, and also methane, though at a lower rate than landfilling. In commercial composting, the process can be carried out using a variety of methods, including 'in-vessel' for post-consumer food waste and 'open-windrow' for non-food 'green waste'.
DIGESTATES
The biosolid output from anaerobic digestion. Digestate constitution is dependent on the AD feedstock. Human waste-derived digestates are high in P (phosphorus) and K (potassium), reflected in the characteristics of human urine and excreta. The nutrients in digestates are much more 'available', meaning they can be easily integrated in crop-nutrient planning, but care is required as they can also leach or run-off.
FOOD BY-PRODUCTS
Materials arising from the process of converting food ingredients into food products, e.g. oil seed cake, brewer spent grains, fish guts; as well as human waste. Also from food preparation or consumption that are not edible under normal circumstances, such as egg shells, tea bags, meat bones, coffee grounds or vegetable peelings.
FOOD WASTE, EDIBLE
Food and drink that, at the point of being thrown away, was edible. Generate for a number of reasons, including overproduction, past use-by-date, aesthetic appearance, or mislabelling.
FOOD SYSTEM
Encompasses the full value chain of producing food for human consumption, from agricultural activities and other means, through handling, transportation, storage, processing, distribution, and consumption to organic (including human) waste management and disposal / reintroduction into productive use ('looping').
INDUSTRIAL FOOD PRODUCTION
A wide spectrum of farming models based around specialised commodity-crop production and the use of synthetic inputs. This definition thus encompasses smaller-scale 'conventional agriculture' as well as larger-scale industrialised systems.
NUTRIENTS FOR PLANT NUTRITION
Substances used by plants for healthy growth and metabolism. The principal macronutrients derived from the growth medium are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), as well as calcium, sulphur, and magnesium. Micronutrients are trace minerals required in much smaller quantities, including iron, zinc, copper, and nickel.
NUTRIENT LOOPING
The processes by which discarded organic resources can be turned into an array of valuable products. From low-tech organic compost to innovative, high value biomaterials, nutrient looping can help regenerate peri-urban farming areas and create new bio-economic activity in the city.
ORGANIC FERTILISERS
Fertilisers derived from natural materials and processes, such as animal, human or insect excreta; decomposing plant matter; animal or fish waste including bone meal; marine flora including seaweed or kelp. Organic fertilisers can be added to the soil to improve soil structure and/or enhance the growth of plants and crops.
ORGANIC MATTER
A large group of carbon-based compounds found in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, known as 'biomass'.
PARTICULATE MATTER
Microscopic solid or liquid matter, generated by human or natural activity that are suspended in the atmosphere and affect human health, climate, and precipitation. A subtype is referred to as PM2.5, which indicates fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less. These smaller particles are a particular risk to human health due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs or bloodstream.
PERI-URBAN
The area located within 20 km of the city boundary.
REGENERATIVE FOOD PRODUCTION
Food production, in its broadest sense, using approaches that contribute to the improved health of the surrounding natural ecosystem.
SMALLHOLDER FARMS
Over 500 million small (<10ha) normally family-owned farms that depend on family labour to meet their own living needs. The sale of surplus 'cash crops' provides the basis for income for non-food needs, such as medicine, education, and housing. It is estimated that such farms provide food for approximately 70% of the world.
SYNTHETIC FERTILISERS
Also known as 'chemical' or 'mineral') fertilisers, these are derived from mineral rocks, synthetic origins or produced industrially. They are added to the soil to enhance the growth of plants and crops.
URBAN FARMS
Farms located within a city's boundary that
(2) International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), Breaking Away from Industrial Food and Farming Systems (2018)