cultivated meat Archives | Food+Tech Connect

Denmark’s Meat Tax, Saying Goodbye to Carol Sanford + More

Phoebe Tran — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 21:09:42 +0000

Image Credit: Green Queen

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

It is with deep sorrow that we share the news that regenerative business pioneer Carol Sanford has begun her transition out of this world.For those who don’t know Carol, she is a visionary leader, teacher, and author who revolutionized the way we think about business, leadership, and sustainability. As a pioneer of regenerative business practices, she dedicated her life to empowering individuals and organizations to create meaningful change in the world. Through her groundbreaking books, workshops, and mentorship, Carol inspired countless people to rethink their roles as stewards of the planet and society. Her profound wisdom, unwavering spirit, and compassionate guidance will continue to influence generations to come.

In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of our podcast in partnership with AgFunder: New Food Order, a nuanced investigation into the business of tackling our climate and social crises through food and agriculture. Read all about why we launched the podcast, and be sure to subscribe and share!

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1. Danish Parliament Agrees Green Deal to Tax Meat Production & Promote Plant-Based Foods – Green Queen

After months of negotiations, Denmark’s policymakers have agreed on how to implement the livestock emissions tax they announced in June.

2. Oishii Raises Additional Funding to Close Series B at $150M, Preps First International Expansion – AFN

The vertical farmer best known for its strawberries is also gearing up for its first international expansion via a new R&D center in Tokyo.

3. A 12-Year-Old’s Journey Into the World of Ozempic – WSJ

A mother found success with a weight-loss drug after a lifelong battle. Noticing her daughter start down the same path, she decided to have her try semaglutide.

4. Gaming Out Key Trump Cabinet Picks — and What Comes Next – Food Fix

President-elect Donald Trump has named just over half his cabinet. Who’s left and what’s next?

5. 7-Eleven, the Slurpee and a $47B Takeover Battle – WSJ

The convenience chain is at the center of a bidding war between would-be buyers on two continents. Here’s why they’re hungry for it.

6. Blackstone’s Acquisition of Jersey Mike’s Subs: Strategic Partnership – Forbes

The $8b sale marks a significant milestone for Jersey Mike’s, a rapidly growing sandwich chain, and demonstrates the increasing interest of private equity firms in the quick-service restaurant sector.

7. Asia-Pacific Agrifoodtech Funding Recovers with 38% YoY Increase to $4.2B So Far in 2024 – AFN

APAC agrifoodtech startups have shown resilience against global market headwinds, securing $4.2 billion and 31% of global sector funding.

8. Farms, Meat Plants Brace for Trump Immigration Crackdown – WSJ

Agriculture companies and laborers fear raids; 42% of crop farmhands aren’t legally authorized to work in US.

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What Trump’s Win Means for Food & Ag, Cultivated Chicken Hits Price Parity + More

Phoebe Tran — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:03:42 +0000

Image Credit: Green Queen

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

A second Trump administration raises concerns about increased deregulation, weakened climate policies, and restrictions on climate-friendly foods, potentially impacting food tech and public health protections. Amid these political shifts, companies like SuperMeat continue advancing sustainable alternatives; SuperMeat’s 100% cultivated chicken has achieved price parity with premium poultry at $11.79 per pound.

1. What Donald Trump’s Election Victory Means for Food Tech in the US – Green Queen

Trump’s second term could mean weakened climate policies, heightened regulatory rollbacks, restrictions on climate-friendly foods, and reduced food assistance. The food sector faces instability amid intensified deregulation.

2. What a Second Trump Administration Means for Food and Farms – Union of Concerned Scientists

Trump’s second term may favor agribusiness, undermine public health, reduce farmworker protections, restrict food assistance, and sideline climate and equity initiatives at the USDA.

3. What Food Policy Looks Like In a Trump Administration – Food Fix

After Trump’s decisive win on Tuesday, everyone in the food world is trying to figure out what it all means. Here’s a rundown of what we know so far.

4. SuperMeat’s 100% Cultivated Chicken Hits Price Parity with Premium Options at $11.79/lb – Vegconomist

The company claims it can produce three pounds of cultivated meat — equal to the amount of edible meat from one chicken — in around two days.

5. World Bank, UN Climate Fund Among Public Banks That Invested $3.3B in Factory Farming in 2023 – Green Queen

Over a dozen development banks including the World Bank and the UN Green Climate Fund poured billions into animal agriculture last year, going against their own recommendations.

6. Swiggy IPO Nets $606M From Institutional Investors – TechCrunch

Swiggy has raised around $606m from a set of more than 75 anchor investors as part of its $1.35b initial public offering, as the Indian food delivery and quick commerce startup prepares for the country’s second-largest listing of the year next week.

7. Now what? – Expedite

Considering the future of hospitality under another Trump presidency.

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UK Approves Cultivated Meat in Pet Food, F&B Innovation Plummets 50% in 2024 + More

Phoebe Tran — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 21:52:22 +0000

Image Credit: Green Queen

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

The UK has become the first European country to approve lab-grown meat, starting with Meatly, a cultivated chicken pet food product. Meanwhile, innovation in the global food and beverage industry has dramatically declined, with only 35% of new CPG launches in 2024 being genuinely new products, marking the lowest rate of innovation since Mintel began tracking in 1996.

1. UK First European Country to Approve Lab-Grown Meat, Starting with Pet Food – The Guardian

Regulators approve Meatly pet product, cultivated chicken made from growing cells, the world’s first for pet food.

2. Food and Beverage Innovation Plummets Nearly 50% in 2024 – Nosh

Only 35% of global CPG launches spanning the food, drink, household, health and beauty industries in 2024 have been genuinely new products – the lowest rate of innovation since Mintel began tracking new products in 1996.

3. The State of CPG – Elly Truesdell

There has been a major shift in enticement from investors and retailers – now more cynical – and we’re coming down from an intense high. It can’t be overstated just how much of a hangover we’re experiencing.

4. Republican Plans for Ag Policy May Bring Big Changes to Farm Country – Civil Eats

Project 2025 and the Republican Study Committee budget both propose major changes to how the government supports commodity farmers. They might face strong opposition from ag groups and their farm constituents.

5. The World’s Largest Mozzarella Producer Bags Global Rights for Fooditive’s Animal-Free Casein – Green Queen

US cheese giant Leprino Foods has signed an exclusive licensing agreement to commercialize the precision-fermented casein produced by Dutch startup Foodtive Group.

6. BevNET & Nosh Insider Benefit: Q2 Data Report in Partnership with FABID – BevNET

Despite three previous consecutive quarters of increasing investment, Q2 saw a marked decline, tempering excitement and confidence in a VC rebound.

7. ADM Targets 5M Acres of Regenerative Farmland by 2025 – AFN

ADM has transitioned more than 2.8m of its acres to regenerative agriculture in partnership with more than 28k growers.

8. US Government Issues First-Ever National Strategy to Combat Food Waste – Green Queen

The White House has introduced a national strategy to fight the US’s mounting food waste problem, which includes extending the shelf life of products and upcycling foods into other commodities.

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Denmark Introduces Carbon Tax, House Reps Reintroduce Bill to Ban Federal Funding of Cultivated Meat + More

Phoebe Tran — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:05:40 +0000

Image Credit: Green Queen

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

Denmark is set to introduce the world’s first carbon tax on agriculture later this year, with each cow costing $100 per year, as part of its efforts to meet climate goals. In the United States, a group of lawmakers has reintroduced the REAL Meat Act, aiming to ban federal funding for the cultivated meat industry. These policy moves signal significant shifts in both environmental and agricultural sectors.

1. Denmark to Impose World’s First Carbon Tax on Agriculture, with Each Cow Costing $100 Per Year – Green Queen

Denmark will introduce a tax on carbon emissions from agriculture later this year to meet its climate goals, becoming the first country to do so.

2. House Representatives Reintroduce Bill to Ban Federal Funding of Cultivated Meat – Green Queen

A group of lawmakers have reintroduced the REAL Meat Act, this time targeting federal investment in the cultivated meat industry.

3. Over 100 Organizations & Experts Ask FAO to Retract ‘Inappropriate’ COP28 Livestock Report – Green Queen

In an open letter, academics and organizations from across the world have asked the FAO to withdraw a livestock emissions report that they claim contains “significant methodological errors”.

4. AgFunder Assumes Management of Blue Horizon’s $100M Growth Fund – AgFunder

Taking on Blue Horizion’s growth fund elevates AgFunder’s assets under management to $300m and introduces a growth-stage portfolio to the firm.

5. Bezos Earth Fund Opens Alternative Protein Hub at Imperial College London, with Next Centre Set for Asia – Green Queen

A month after it unveiled the first Center for Sustainable Protein in North Carolina, the Bezos Earth Fund has opened its second alternative protein hub at Imperial College London. It plans to open a third centre in Asia soon.

6. The Race to Make Plant-Based Meat More Affordable – Green Queen

An often insurmountable price barrier is keeping many people from buying plant-based alternatives to beef, pork and chicken.

7. What Is Specialty Food? – The Checkout

Specialty foods, while “special”, still exist and depend on an industrial food system. The contradiction to specialty food, indeed that which is necessary to truly define it, is commodity food.

8. India: Zepto, a 10-Minute Delivery App, Raises $665M at $3.6B Valuation – TechCrunch

Zepto sells and delivers everything from grocery items to electronic gadgets to consumers in urban Indian cities within a short time frame.

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Closing the $4.5T Regenerative Ag Funding Gap, Private Label Revolution + More

Phoebe Tran — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 21:20:19 +0000

Image Credit: AgFunder News

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

Closing the financing gap in regenerative agriculture presents a significant investment opportunity, potentially unlocking $4.5 trillion annually while saving $5.7 trillion in environmental and social costs. Simultaneously, in response to economic pressures and consumer demand, store brands are becoming dominant in the US grocery market. Retailers are expanding and refining their private labels to enhance profitability and cater to affordability-seeking consumers.

1. Financiers Can Close the Regenerative Agriculture Funding Gap — and Unlock $4.5T in the Process – AFN

Closing the current financing gap in regenerative agriculture would unlock $4.5t in new investment opportunities per year and $5.7t of costs per year saved in damages to people and the planet

2. The Imitation Games – The Checkout

Store brands, driven by economic pressures and consumer demand for affordability, dominate the US grocery market, with retailers expanding and refining their private labels to maintain profitability and meet consumer needs.

3. Knockoffs No Longer: Store Brands Get Fancy in a Private-Label Revolution – WSJ

Private-label products are gaining in quality and share in the US, following a playbook mastered in Europe.

4. Digital Price Tags Can Change the Cost of Groceries 6 Times Per Minute – Popular Science

Electronic shelf labels bring Uber-style dynamic pricing to stores like Walmart. The retailer has announced plans to expand digital shelf labels to 2.3k of its stores.

5. European Food Tech Startups Overtook the US to Attract $2B in Investments in 2023 – Green Queen

Climate-focused food tech companies in Europe raised $2B last year, making up 58% of global investment in the sector and surpassing the US for the first time.

6. Israel: Ever After Foods Raises $10M for Scale-Up Platform That Make Cultivated Meat 90% Cheaper – Green Queen

Ever After Foods is starting with beef and poultry cells, but the latest investment has extended the licence to include seafood as well.

7. As American Express Acquires Tock, Who’s Winning the Reservation Wars? – Eater

What you need to know about the state of the reservations systems today.

8. The Chef Is Human. The Reviewer Isn’t. – New York Times

A new study showed people real restaurant reviews and ones produced by AI. They couldn’t tell the difference.

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What Went Wrong at Foxtrot, USDA Approves Pork Protein in Soybeans + More

Phoebe Tran — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 22:22:03 +0000

Image Credit: Snaxshot

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

Foxtrot Market, once a promising venture, has abruptly ceased operations, filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. The merger with Dom’s, intended to bolster its financial standing, instead proved detrimental. Meanwhile, in Luxembourg, Moolec achieved a significant milestone, gaining USDA approval for its innovative approach to producing pork proteins from bioengineered soybeans.

1. Foxtrot Market Ceases Operations – Snaxshot

Foxtrot will be filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Foxtrot was dragging Dom’s down financially since its merger.

2. What Went Wrong At Foxtrot – Modern Retail

At the end of 2023, Foxtrot had projected it would do $165m in sales, but it was only on track to bring in $130m. On Tuesday, it closed all 33 of its locations without warning.

3. Luxembourg: Moolec Gains USDA Approval for Pork Proteins Grown in Soybeans – Green Queen

The company is bioengineering soybeans to produce porcine myoglobin, using the plants as the ‘bioreactors’ themselves. Moolec plans to provide food manufacturers with the ingredients for use in their product formulations.

4. Finland: Solar Foods Opens World’s First Commercial-Scale Facility for Air Protein – Green Queen

Months after closing an €8m Series B investment round to support the construction of its first commercial-scale factory, Solar Foods’ Factory 01 is now operational and will help the startup mass-produce its Solein air protein.

5. Netherlands: Meatable Hosts the EU’s First Public Tasting for Cultivated Meat at Dutch HQ – Green Queen

Meatable hosted the first public tasting event for cultivated meat in the EU, following approval from the newly formed safety assessment panel in the Netherlands.

6. UN Accused of Misusing Research to Underestimate Meat Industry Emissions in COP28 Study – Green Queen

During COP 28, the FAO released a study analyzing livestock emissions – now, experts whose data was cited by the report are accusing the body of distorting their work to understate the climate impact of this sector.

7. Vegetables Are Losing Their Nutrients. Can the Decline Be Reversed? – The Guardian

A process called biofortification puts nutrients directly into seeds and could reduce global hunger, but it’s not a magic bullet.

8. Plant-Based Food Sales Fall to $8.1B As Consumers Demand Lower Prices and Higher Quality – Food Dive

Though the space has made strides to reach more people, only 15% of U.S. households purchased its products in 2023, compared to 19% in 2022.

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Trademark Bullies, Predicting the Next 43 Years in Food & Ag + More

Phoebe Tran — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:45:53 +0000

Image Credit: Snaxshot

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

In recent news, the internet’s uproar over David Chang’s legal actions towards brands has highlighted a prevailing sentiment against the commercialization of culture. Despite efforts to capitalize on trends, like his Momofuku chili crunch, public opinion remains unimpressed. Meanwhile, in the world of retail, investors and marketers are turning their attention to the produce aisle, as fruits and vegetables become the latest target for branding initiatives, signaling a shift in focus within the agriculture industry.

1. “Momo-fuk-u” Takes It Back – Snaxshot

It was incredible to see the internet collectively roast David Chang when The Guardian broke the news about him sending cease and desists to brands. No matter how hard they try to commercialize culture, the public consensus seems to be their chili crunch is mid anyways.

2. Cool Comes to the Humble Produce Aisle – WSJ

Fruits and vegetables are the latest section of the supermarket to get a branding push as investors and marketers target the agriculture industry.

3. Perfect Day Sued By Manufacturing Partner for Fraud and Breach of Contract. Olon Claims $112M in Unpaid Bills, $32M in Damages – AFN

Perfect Day has been sued by contract manufacturing partner Olon for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement and fraudulent concealment.

4. Food Inflation Risks Are Brewing Across the Supermarket Again – Bloomberg

As cocoa steals the spotlight with its red-hot rally, prices of other major crops are also ticking up — reviving the risk of food inflation that has remained stubbornly high in parts of the world.

5. On “Trademark Bullies” – Jing Theory

Emerging food brands by founders of color challenge market norms. Jing shares her thoughts and hopes on operating from a place of empathy, rather than division.

6. Netherlands: Mosa Meat Secures €40M in Funding to Expand Production and Speed Up Launch of Cultivated Meat – Green Queen

The company will use the funds to further scale up its production processes, following the May 2023 opening of what it claims is currently the world’s largest cultivated meat facility in Maastricht, Netherlands.

7. Zooming in on European Startups in the FoodTech 500 (Part 1) – Forward Fooding

AgriFoodTech funding in Europe may have decreased, but Europe’s total share of global investments has increased; going from 23% in 2021 to 36% in 2023.

8. Why Regenerative Farming Needs Organic Certification-and Vice Versa – Forbes

A fast growing food trend is combining the popularity of organic certification with the social and climate benefits of regenerative agriculture.

8. Harvesting Crops, or Harvesting Insurance? How the USDA’s Crop Insurance Policy Is Preventing a Regenerative Transition – Regenerative Food Systems Investment

The restrictive nature of current crop insurance programs presents an opportunity for the development of regenerative agriculture insurance, incentivizing sustainable farming practices while mitigating risks for producers.

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Lawmakers Aim to Ban Cultivated Meat, Food Delivery Startup Wonder Raises $700M + More

Phoebe Tran — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 21:39:27 +0000

Image Credit: Green Queen

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

Lawmakers across various states are increasingly pushing to ban cultivated meat, citing concerns about its impact on traditional livestock farming. This move, primarily championed by right-wing legislators from states like Arizona to Florida, seeks to restrict the sale of protein cultivated from animal cells. Meanwhile, Marc Lore’s food delivery startup Wonder secures a $700 million investment, with plans to open 100 delivery-focused restaurants in NYC area.

1. Across the Nation, Lawmakers Aim to Ban Lab-Grown Meat – Inside Climate News

Restricting the sale of protein cultured from animal cells, developed as a way to raise meat without the climate impacts of livestock, has become a trendy right-wing legislative focus in states from Arizona to Florida.

2. Wonder, Marc Lore’s Food Delivery Startup, Raises $700M – WSJ

The former Walmart executive plans to open nearly 100 delivery-focused restaurant locations around the New York City area over the next two years.

3. Ahead of Singapore Launch, Meatable Can Now Make Cultivated Meat Quicker Than Anyone Else – Green Queen

Dutch cultivated meat leader Meatable has cut the production time for its cultivated meat by half, making its hybrid sausages much cheaper to produce.

4. Large Grocers Took Advantage of Pandemic Supply Chain Disruptions, FTC Finds – New York Times

A report found that large firms pressured suppliers to favor them over competitors. It also concluded that some retailers “seem to have used rising costs as an opportunity to further hike prices.”

5. A $20B Deal Depends on Whether You Think Walmart Is a Supermarket – New York Times

Authorities say Kroger’s planned Albertsons takeover will leave fewer traditional supermarkets to compete for Americans’ grocery dollars.

6. Unilever Will Get Up to $20.9M From US Government to Lower Carbon Footprint at Ice Cream Factories – Food Dive

The Department of Energy funding will help the Ben & Jerry’s manufacturer on a project designed to cut 14k metric tons of emissions annually.

7. The Brutality of Sugar: Debt, Child Marriage and Hysterectomies – New York Times

An investigation into the sugar cane industry in the Indian state of Maharashtra found workers ensnared by debt and pushed into child marriages and unnecessary hysterectomies.

7. Patients Hate ‘Forever’ Drugs. Is Wegovy Different? – New York Times

The new obesity drugs might be an exception to a chronic, deadly problem: the failure to stick with medication.

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Agrifoodtech Startup Investment Drops 50%, Ron Desantis and Florida Turn on Cultivated Meat + More

Phoebe Tran — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 21:30:50 +0000

Image Credit: AgFunder News

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

Agrifoodtech startups faced a significant setback in 2023 as their investment share plummeted by 50%, comprising only 5.5% of global venture capital funds, down from 6.7% in 2022 and 7.6% in 2021. Meanwhile, in a notable shift, the ‘anti-woke’ agenda in Florida, spearheaded by Governor Ron DeSantis and the state legislature, has taken aim at cultivated meat. As reported by Fast Company, this move has raised concerns within the cultivated meat sector, which relies on capital for expansion, cost reduction, and consumer appeal.

1. Agrifoodtech Startup Investment Drops 50%, Accounts for Just 5.5% of Global VC Dollars – AFN

In 2023, agrifoodtech represented just 5.5% of VC dollars across all sectors in 2023 compared to 6.7% in 2022 and 7.6% in 2021.

2. Ron Desantis and the Florida Legislature Turn Their ‘Anti-Woke’ Agenda on Lab-Grown Meat – Fast Company

The cultivated meat sector needs capital in order to grow, drive down costs, and attract consumers. A ban in Florida could hurt those prospects.

3. How the Meat Industry Tapped Into Academia to Influence Climate Policy & Avoid Scrutiny – Green Queen

A new study digs deep into the sector’s reliance upon academics and universities to validate its pushback against research linking livestock farming to climate change, and influence government policies in their favor.

4. Meet Whole Food’s New Mini Shop, Coming to a City Near You – Fast Company

Whole Foods Market is rolling out its first quick-shop-format store in Manhattan’s Upper East Side later this year called the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop.

5. Vertical Strawberry Grower Oishii Clinches $134M Amid Indoor Farming Woes – Food Dive

An intentional choice to grow artisanal fruit rather than leafy greens has allowed the firm to avoid the financial difficulties facing others in controlled-environment agriculture.

6. The New Science on What Ultra-Processed Food Does to Your Brain – WSJ

Studies are finding links between these foods and changes in the way we learn, remember and feel.

7. What We’re Learning About Ozempic – Food Fix

GLP-1 drugs continue to drive headlines. Here’s a roundup of what we’ve learned so far, from calories to costs.

8. Liquid Death Valued At $1.4B After Latest Funding Round – Food Dive

The beverage maker, which is reportedly looking to go public this year, said the $67m in new financing will be used to grow distribution and accelerate product innovation.

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Cultivated Meat Funding Dropped 78% in 2023, Obesity Drug Arms Race + More

Phoebe Tran — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 22:07:50 +0000

Image Credit: New York Times

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

In 2023, the cultivated meat industry faced a significant setback as preliminary Agfunder data revealed a staggering 78% decline in funding for startups within this sector. The funding trajectory tells a compelling story, with a peak of $989 million in 2021, a slight dip to $807 million in 2022, and a sharp drop to a mere $177 million in 2023. Investors attribute this decline to a pervasive ‘general risk aversion,’ compounded by a broader downturn of -50% in agrifoodtech investing throughout the same year. Meanwhile, in the realm of biopharmaceuticals, the success of Ozempic and Mounjaro is positioned as just the beginning in a burgeoning obesity drug arms race. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have pioneered innovations in weight loss and diabetes drugs, setting the stage for a flood of upcoming GLP-1 drugs that promise to reshape the landscape of this critical healthcare arena.

1. Preliminary Agfunder Data Point to 78% Decline in Cultivated Meat Funding in 2023; Investors Blame ‘General Risk Aversion’ – AFN

Funding for cultivated meat startups peaked at $989m in 2021, dipped slightly to $807m in 2022 and then dropped off sharply in 2023 to $177m, against a backdrop of a -50% drop in agrifoodtech investing overall in 2023.

2. Ozempic And Mounjaro’s Smashing Success Is Just the Beginning for Biopharma’s Obesity Drug Arms Race – Fast Company

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have revolutionized the weight loss and diabetes drug space. Now a flood of other GLP-1 drugs are on the horizon.

3. The Revolution That Died on Its Way to Dinner – New York Times

Despite nearly a decade of work and a great many messianic pronouncements, it is increasingly clear that a broader cultivated meat revolution was never a real prospect, and definitely not within the few years we have left to avert climate catastrophe.

4. Impossible Foods Partners with US Army Central to Serve Plant-Based Options to Overseas Troops – Vegconomist

The US Army Central plans to introduce Impossible’s plant-based meat products into its dining facilities overseas in the coming weeks.

5. USDA Organic Changes Are Coming. What Will It Mean for Farmers and Consumers? – Food Dive

Large amendments aimed at enhancing recordkeeping and defining outdoor rules for livestock and poultry will take effect in March.

6. Estonia: Starship Technologies Raises $90M As Its Sidewalk Robots Pass 6M Deliveries – TechCrunch

The sidewalk delivery robot servicer aims to cement its position at the top of the category.

7. Restaurant Sales Forecast to Exceed $1.1T in 2024 – Food Business News

The restaurant industry also is set to add 200k jobs in 2024, with a sustained growth projection of 150k jobs created annually through 2032.

8. Why Your Groceries Are Still So Expensive – Forbes

Grocery prices are 30% higher than four years ago. Sustained higher prices are not only a burden on consumer budgets, but are also an ongoing policy failure by the Biden Administration.

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Legislation Aims to Ban Cultivated Meat from School Lunches, Indian Government to Develop Cultivated Fish + More

Phoebe Tran — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 22:28:02 +0000

Image Credit: New York Times

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

The proposed School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024 seeks to ban cultivated meat from school lunches, introducing restrictions under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Meanwhile, the Indian Government is forging ahead with a groundbreaking partnership with Neat Meatt to pioneer the development of cell-cultured varieties of high-value fish species.

1. Proposed Legislation Would Ban Cultivated Meat From School Lunches – Food Business News

The bill, referred to as the School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024, would set restrictions under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

2. Indian Government Body to Develop Cultivated Fish in Partnership with Neat Meatt – Green Queen

The partnership will initially focus on developing cell-cultured varieties of high-value fish species.

3. Biden Takes Aim at Grocery Chains Over Food Prices – New York Times

President Biden has begun to accuse stores of overcharging shoppers, as food costs remain a burden for consumers and a political problem for the president.

4. Takeaways From the AP’s Investigation Into How US Prison Labor Supports Many Popular Food Brands – Associated Press

The investigation found goods linked to US prisoners wind up in the supply chains of a dizzying array of products. They are on the shelves of most supermarkets, including Kroger, Target, Aldi and Whole Foods.

5. Seed Gene-Editing Startup Inari Valued at $1.65B Following $103M Fundraise – AFN

Inari has developed higher-yielding seeds for row crops using its multiplex gene-editing tech.

6. Leon Co-Founder Seeks “Better Ways to Feed the World” with New Venture Fund – FoodBev

Bramble Partners seeks to invest across the entire spectrum of food production and consumption, including new agriculture and fishing technologies, alternative production systems, and businesses specializing in waste reduction.

7. Israel: Remilk Receives No Objections Letter for Sale of Animal-Free Milk Protein, Heralding “New-Dairy Revolution” in Canada – Vegconomist

Remilk has become the first company to receive the green light in the country for a precision fermentation-derived protein.

8. Checkerspot Unveils “Breakthrough” for Baby Formula: Human Milk Fat Analog Made Using Microalgae Fermentation – Vegconomist

Checkerspot announced the development and large-scale production of fat analog that the company claims mimics the human milk fat known as OPO.

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EU Ag Ministers Form Coalition Against Cultivated Meat, Move to Sustainable Food Systems Could Bring $10T a Year + More

Phoebe Tran — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:17:24 +0000

Image Credit: Vegconomist

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

Twelve European Union Agriculture Ministers have united to advocate for a reevaluation of the regulatory approval process for cultivated meat within the EU. This collaborative effort aims to address and potentially revise the authorization framework, as they see the technology as a threat to the economy, public health and farmers. Meanwhile, a shift towards sustainable food systems is highlighted in a report revealing the potential to generate an impressive $10 trillion in benefits annually. Researchers assert that the current food production methods incur substantial medical and environmental costs, suggesting that transitioning to more sustainable practices could result in significant economic advantages.

1. 12 EU Agriculture Ministers Form Coalition Against Cultivated Meat – Vegconomist

A coalition of a dozen EU agriculture ministers pushed for a revision of the regulatory approval framework for the authorization of cultivated meat at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

2. Move to Sustainable Food Systems Could Bring $10T Benefits a Year – The Guardian

Existing production destroys more value than it creates due to medical and environmental costs, researchers say.

3. Germany: Infinite Roots Raises $58M in “Europe’s Largest Investment in Mycelium” – Vegconomist

Infinite Roots uses patented fermentation technologies to develop a diverse range of foods using edible mushroom mycelium.

4. Israel: Steakholder Foods Unveils the World’s First 3D Printed Plant-Based Shrimp – Vegconomist

Steakholder Foods’ food team utilized its DropJet printer and shrimp-flavored inks developed in-house to “precision-print” the analogs, layer-by-layer.

5. Daily Harvest Is Now Making Ozempic-Friendly Meals – Fast Company

The healthy meal and smoothie maker has introduced a curated selection of meals for Ozempic and Wegovy users.

6. WIC Shortfall Could Leave 2M Women And Children Hungry – Civil Eats

In this week’s The Field Report, we report on WIC under threat, women farmworkers advocating for greater rights, and a fertilizer plant acquisition that fans consolidation fears.

7. Netherlands: Meatable Prepares for First Cultivated Pork Tasting in the Netherlands, Mosa Meat to Follow with Cultivated Beef – Vegconomist

As soon as the experts give the green light, Meatable will host the first-ever tasting of its cultivated pork products.

8. The Menu Trends That Define Dining Right Now – New York Times

A look at 121 menus from restaurants all over the country. Together, they offer a glimpse into the tastes and values of today.

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USDA Says Cellular Ag Is Necessary to Reach Climate Goals, Aleph Farms to Sell Cultivated Steaks in Israel + More

Phoebe Tran — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 21:43:15 +0000

Image Credit: AgFunder News

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

Aleph Farms has recently received approval to sell its lab-grown steaks in Israel, marking a significant milestone. The company aims to introduce its cultivated steaks to restaurants within the next few months, with plans to expand into food service and retail in the future. In a parallel development, the USDA emphasizes the crucial role of cellular agriculture in achieving climate and food innovation goals. It expressed the need for sustained government support and transparent scientific research, highlighting their landmark grant to Tufts University’s National Institute for Cellular Ag program as a catalyst for advancing research and garnering attention from the private sector.

1. Aleph Farms Gets Approval to Sell Cultivated Steaks in Israel – Reuters

Within a few months it hopes to start selling to restaurants, and eventually for food service and retail.

2. USDA: ‘We Will Need Cellular Agriculture to Reach Climate, Food Innovation Goals’ – Food Navigator

Sustained government support and transparent scientific research, such as USDA’s landmark grant to Tufts University’s National Institute for Cellular Ag program, can energize cellular agriculture R&D and renew attention from the private sector.

3. Turning Down Food Aid for Millions of Children Reflects Shocking Political Callousness – New York Times

Fifteen states skipped the deadline to apply for a new federally funded program that will provide $120 per child for groceries during the summer months to families of children who already qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at school.

4. In the Ozempic Age, Has ‘Craveable’ Lost Its Selling Power? – New York Times

The food industry has long touted its products as impossible to resist. But with a spotlight on the perils of compulsive eating, that tactic is getting another look.

5. Delivery Workers Won a Mandated Raise From NYC. Now They Say the Apps Figured Out a Way to Undermine It – Fast Company

The 65k workers who make deliveries for Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash now earn nearly $18 an hour. But some drivers say companies have made getting tips and scheduling shifts more challenging.

6. Sweetgreen Wants to Be the ‘Mcdonald’s of Its Generation.’ This Rival Salad Chain Could Beat It – CNBC

Salad and Go wants to provide a healthier, cheap fast-food option with its $7 salads and wraps. The chain has expansion plans that could mean thousands of locations eventually.

7. This Farm Bill Could Rein in Big Agriculture’s Lobbying Power – Civil Eats

Including the new Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act in the upcoming farm bill would go a long way toward fixing the USDA’s commodity checkoff programs.

8. Australia: Aussie Vegan Meat Maker v2food Acquires Ready Meal Brands as Plant Based Sector Undergoes Consolidation – Green Queen

V2foood is diversifying into whole-food plant-based options with the acquisition of Soulara, which offers an extensive range of nearly 40 ready meals.

9. Tiny Gaza Is Home to Most of the World’s Hungriest People – WSJ

As war grinds on, the already desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating into chaos.

The post USDA Says Cellular Ag Is Necessary to Reach Climate Goals, Aleph Farms to Sell Cultivated Steaks in Israel + More appeared first on Food+Tech Connect.

Chobani Buys La Colombe for $900M, France Proposes Law to Ban Cultivated Meat + More

Phoebe Tran — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 21:42:41 +0000

Image Credit: Fast Company

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

In a groundbreaking move, the UK government has unveiled a landmark £2 billion plan to support the advancement of its biotech ecosystem, with a particular focus on the cultivated meat and fermentation industry. Meanwhile, the New York Times sheds light on the challenging circumstances faced by America’s aging farmworkers, predominantly immigrants, who find themselves on the brink of retirement without the safety net of Medicare or Social Security, despite decades of dedicated service to the country’s agricultural sector.

1. Chobani Buys La Colombe for $900M – Fast Company

How Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya orchestrated the deal, how Dr Pepper was involved and what’s next.

2. French Parliamentarians Propose Law to Ban Cultivated Meat, Calling It “Junk Food” – Vegconomist

The Republicans party of France has introduced a bill in the National Assembly to prohibit the production and marketing of cultivated meat in the country.

3. The Climate Summit Starts to Crack a Tough Nut: Emissions From Food – New York Times

A road map to trim the climate footprint of food shows how hard it is to feed the world on a hotter planet.

4. Germany: This Vertical Farming Company Raised $500M, and Then It All But Disappeared – Sifted

Once a hot Berlin-based startup, Infarm struggled to turn a profit, causing it to declare insolvency in its major European markets in 2023.

5. UK to Ban Imports of Essential Products Linked to Illegal Deforestation, But Concerns Over Scale & Producers Remain – Green Queen

At COP28, the UK announced its intention to ban imports of everyday essentials linked to illegal deforestation, which will affect large companies with high turnovers.

6. Ozempic for Everyone? Inside Novo Nordisk’s Big Plans for Its Weight-Loss Drugs – Fast Company

Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide success turned it into a diabetes and weight-loss behemoth. Now it wants to cure your heart condition. And it’s just getting started.

7. Chipotle Is Investing in Companies That Make Robots and Fertilizer from Artificial Lightning – Fast Company

Chipotle Mexican Grill will invest in Greenfield Robotics, which designs lightweight, autonomous agricultural robots, via its Cultivate Next venture fund.

8. How Grocery Stores Are Becoming Data Brokers – CNBC

Email addresses, phone numbers, shopping habits, birthdays and more are all being rolled into a monetizable data profile the companies and data brokers are using to better understand the needs and wants of consumers.

9. Protests Are an American Tradition. But Why at Restaurants? – New York Times

A recent demonstration outside a Philadelphia falafel spot was just the latest in a history of boycotts and conflicts.

The post Chobani Buys La Colombe for $900M, France Proposes Law to Ban Cultivated Meat + More appeared first on Food+Tech Connect.

UK’s £2B Cultivated Meat and Fermentation Fund, America’s Aging Immigrant Farmworkers + More

Phoebe Tran — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 22:53:12 +0000

Image Credit: New York Times

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

1. UK Government Backs Cultivated Meat and Fermentation in Landmark £2B Plan – Vegconomist

Over the next ten years, the government will fund the necessary activities and reforms to propel the country’s biotech ecosystem, which includes the cultivated meat and fermentation industry.

2. Retirement Without a Net: The Plight of America’s Aging Farmworkers
– New York Times

Immigrants who worked decades on US farms are reaching retirement age in a country that offers them neither Medicare nor Social Security.

3. Silicon Valley’s $445M Robot Pizza Revolution That Wasn’t – Fast Company

The zesty tale of Zume Pizza, one of the biggest flops in Silicon Valley history.

4. Kitchen United Will Sell or Close All Physical Units, Pivot to Software – Restaurant Dive

The ghost kitchen pioneer, which raised $100m last year to fund the expansion of its food halls, said it began to offload its locations months ago. It has already shuttered its Kroger units.

5. A Mushrooming Trend: How Fungi Became An It Food – The Guardian

The mushroom moment of the past few years shows no sign of ending. What’s feeding its enduring popularity?

6. The Next Big Technologies in Food and Agriculture for 2023 – Fast Company

From solar-powered farm equipment to the world’s first vaccine designed for bees, these technologies are bringing much-needed change to our food systems.

7. What a Cheeseburger Reveals About the Human Rights Abuses Hiding in Our Food – Fast Company

From child labor to modern slavery, global food supply chains are worse off than you think.

8. Plant-Based Milk Maker Ripple Foods Raises $49M on Back of ‘Explosive Growth’ in Kids’ Products – AFN

Ripple Foods claims to stand out from other firms making milk from yellow peas by utilizing novel technology that strips out unwanted components from plant protein to yield ‘Ripptein.’

9. Matsmart-Motatos Tackling Food Waste with €40M Investment Led By Circularity Capital – Tech.eu

Matsmart tackles the issue of waste in the food supply chain by procuring and reselling overstock goods that traditional retailers can’t buy.

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