Latest food tech and innovation news, jobs and events.
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investment report
FEATURED
2017 US Food & Beverage Startup Investment Report (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6b75df549c&e=2715c96b29)
Introducing our first annual Food & Bev Startup Investment Report by Ryan Williams. There were $1.08b in venture capital investments across 99 deals in 2017. Check out our report for a deep dive into the deals and trends.
2017 US Food & Beverage Startup Investment Report, Monogram Capital Closes $152M Debut Fund + More (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ed6413b67e&e=2715c96b29)
Our round-up of this week's top food innovation news.
SPONSORED EVENT
foodbytes
Discover the new ideas cataylzing food innovation on May 16!
From data-driven apiary management to seafood by-catch reduction tech and single origin pantry staples, see 20 cutting-edge entrepreneurs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e75d2cdcd5&e=2715c96b29) take the stage at FoodBytes! Montreal. As a member of the FTC Community, save 15% on tickets by clicking the button below (discount will auto-populate).
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SPONSORED
gold fat grove
⚡️Disrupt your pantry with Fat Gold ⚡️
Get high-antioxidant olive oil delivered to your door. Fat Gold (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f60680b591&e=2715c96b29) produces California extra virgin olive oil from a three-acre farm in the San Francisco Bay Area. Subscribers receive four shipments per year along with informative zines. The Food+Tech Connect community gets $20 off with the code: FOODTECHFRIENDS
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LATEST JOB LISTINGS
iOS Engineer at Sweetgreen (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2927b51245&e=2715c96b29) - Los Angeles, CA
Value Chain Coordinator at Sweetgreen (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=adf20675c4&e=2715c96b29) - Bay Area, CA
Sales Specialist at BentoBox (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6988c64ff1&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Food Buyer - Purchasing Team at Eat Club (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8d1ebbd2a1&e=2715c96b29) - San Leandro, CA
Program Manager at Food Shift (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=767c5af1df&e=2715c96b29) - Bay Area, CA
Pastry Assistant at Philo Ridge Farm (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d059d10304&e=2715c96b29) - Charlotte, VT
Front-end Developer at Ora Organic (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=609b2f21b8&e=2715c96b29) - San Diego, CA
Affiliate Marketing Coordinator at Real Plans (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4fddfbd360&e=2715c96b29) - Freelance
Operations Manager at Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=91a940be84&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
NY Sales Manager at Devocion (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0e90bd1030&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Director, Partner Alliances at TechAccel (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=cd3c51a5b3&e=2715c96b29) - Shawnee Mission, KS
SEARCH MORE JOBS! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c9b8b60ba2&e=2715c96b29)
amazon pet food
CPG
Amazon Launches Own Pet Product Brand, Wag; Starts with Food (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4c24f833ea&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
The brand launched with dry dog food and plans to expand to include other pet supplies. It will only be available to Prime subscribers.
How JUST's Oatmeal Is Designed to Do Good and Make a Profit in West Africa (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8d60c34cba&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
Taylor Quinn, director of emerging markets at JUST, shares the development process behind Power Gari and how the company created a profitable business model for a product that costs just seven cents per serving.
Frozen Food Sales Feel the Heat As Consumers Opt for Fresh (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=38bee80405&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
Food from the frozen aisle accounts for only about 6% of grocery store sales — and that percentage has seen some declines over the past few years. The deli section, however, keeps expanding.
Missouri House Passes Bill to Prevent Plant-Based Meat Companies from Using the Word "Meat" (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5565cbe96a&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
If passed, this would be a first-of-its-kind law to regulate the term "meat" on packaging of plant-based proteins.
Consumers Don't Notice On-Pack Sustainability Claims, Study Says (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2af4f9bd4f&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
While 53% of participants said a simple rating system on products affects their buying decisions, and more than 40% noted that sustainability influences their purchases, 92% didn't notice sustainability logos on food packaging.
The Search for a Non-Alcoholic Beer That's Actually Worth Drinking (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=912d3ce6f6&e=2715c96b29) - The Washington Post
NA beer has alcohol levels of 0.5%. Most are poor substitutes for the real thing, yet as the market share for nonalcoholic beer increases, some craft brewers are working to change its reputation.
UK: Bringing B12 to Life? Vegan Nutrition Bar Startup Hungry for Success (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c3badf1e05&e=2715c96b29) - Nutra Ingredients
The UK startup Human Food is looking to plug a gap in the meal replacement category with nutrition bars for the vegan market, with a direct-to-consumer model.
This Is What That 'Salmon-Safe' Label Says About Your Wine or Eggs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3f7fdd63f7&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
Many consumers don't yet understand the label, but grocery stores are now buying from "salmon-safe" farms, which help protect fish by banning pesticides and keeping manure out of the land's waterways.
Weedkiller Found in Granola and Crackers, Internal FDA Emails Show (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0ed8108047&e=2715c96b29) - The Guardian
The FDA has been testing food samples for traces of glyphosate for two years. Internal documents obtained reveal the FDA has struggled to find any food that does not carry traces of the pesticide.
smallhold
RETAIL
Amazon Plans More Prime Perks at Whole Foods, and It Will Change the Industry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f46f5b3779&e=2715c96b29) - CNBC
Whole Foods will begin offering Prime members an additional 10% off of already discounted products.
The Future of Grocery Shopping Is Closer Than You Think (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9552304cb6&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Consumers are looking for in-store experiences personalized for them, such as fresh and healthy items, exclusive offers and friendly customer service.
Alibaba Rolls Out Blockchain Pilot to Tackle Fake Food Products (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5b7efda49c&e=2715c96b29) - Tech in Asia
Shoppers can see whether their product is fake by scanning a QR code with their phones. The blockchain technology is being initially trialled with products imported from Australia and New Zealand.
India: Amazon Reportedly Makes Offer for a Majority Stake in Indian E-Commerce Player Flipkart (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a2f6825f4e&e=2715c96b29) - CNBC
Amazon has offered to purchase a 60% stake in Flipkart. Its bid is a counter to Walmart, which is reportedly in advanced talks to become its largest shareholder.
How Voice-Activated Technology Can Disrupt the Industry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b0ec06f56e&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Approximately 25% of US households own a voice-activated home assistant. Within three years, consumers will use voice technology for 18% of their total spending. The technology could disrupt how consumers shop for groceries.
Walmart Gives US Entrepreneurs Another Chance at the Big Time (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=22687fd458&e=2715c96b29) - The Motley Fool
The retailer is inviting small business owners to come meet its buyers and vie for spots on its shelves. The event is an effort to get more American-made products on its shelves.
Instacart Plans $40M Support Center in Atlanta (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2f80d28d22&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
The online grocer will invest in a Customer Experience Center to support its growing e-commerce service and deepen its retailer relationships
zerocater
RESTAURANTS
ZeroCater Raises $12M to Rule the Fridges and Pantries of an Office (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=598ddf4f36&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The round was led by Cleveland Avenue, with participation by Justin Kan, Romulus Capital and Struck Capital. It plans to expand beyond lunch catering to startups in the Bay Area.
Will Foodservice Robots Take Jobs Away From Human Workers? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3cf542984a&e=2715c96b29) - Eater
At Spyce in Boston, preparation of grain bowls is almost completely automated.
At the Standard, Angela Dimayuga Wants to Further Blur the Line Between Food, Art, and Activism (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1a260ed96b&e=2715c96b29) - Grubstreet
The former Mission Chinese chef is now the creative director of food and culture at the Standard International as the hotel gears up to expand overseas to San Francisco, Milan, Phuket and Mexico City.
The Weird Science Behind Chain Restaurant Menus (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=55aab5daf9&e=2715c96b29) - Vice
India Mandelkern was a corporate restaurant consultant. She gives an inside look on how the sausage gets made.
Grubhub's Aggressive Growth Fueled by Chain Partnerships (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5c975d8aa8&e=2715c96b29) - Skift Table
Like everyone in the delivery space, Grubhub has extremely aggressive expansion plans and is looking to shore up as many restaurant chain partnerships as possible. In the race to grab market share, it's positioning itself as the one to beat.
Costco's Mesmerizing, Pizza-Making Robot Is an Ominous Sign for American Retail Jobs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a760c9aa80&e=2715c96b29) - Business Insider
Costco is considered the 14th largest pizza chain in the US. It has a series of systems — including a mechanical saucing machine — to ensure all of its pizzas are made consistently.
Australia: Accidents, Stress and Uncertainty: Food Delivery Riders Lift Lid on Work Conditions (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0a78559e55&e=2715c96b29) - The Guardian
Current and former riders for UberEats, Deliveroo and Foodora in Australia say they have unsafe conditions and uncertain insurance cover.
Local Companies Still Deliver Amid Growing National Competition (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=804a7a4d98&e=2715c96b29) - Skift Table
Instead of bowing out under pressure from national competition, local food delivery services in smaller markets across the US are seeing sales lifts and renewed restaurant partnerships as Grubhub and Uber Eats show up on their scene.
future meat tech
AGRICULTURE
Lab-Grown Meat Is Getting Cheap Enough for Anyone to Buy (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=70f7593b73&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
Israel-based startup Future Meat Technology announced a $2.2m seed round of investment co-led by Tyson Ventures. The startup aims to sell its first products later this year, though its costs are still at $363 a pound.
Clean Meat Startup SuperMeat Raises $4M with Backing from Traditional Industry Players (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=99ba94858a&e=2715c96b29) - Food Navigator
The seed round was led by New Crop Capital and Stray Dog Capital. The capital will fund SuperMeat's clean meat development in cultured chicken and its efforts to mass produce it.
Contain Inc Launches First Insurance Service for Indoor Farmers (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5bb97b77ba&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
The service enables vendors of various indoor agriculture equipment to come to Contain when a client needs financing to purchase their wares.
Why Precision Agriculture Will Change How Food Is Produced (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=230b010cc9&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
Precision agriculture is expected to grow from $730m to $2.42b by 2020. Drones, radio frequency (RF), autonomous tractors and IoT applications are playing a role in the transformation of agriculture.
Milk Is Risky Business. Got Futures? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a0ac035147&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
US farmers are producing record amounts of milk even as Americans drink less of it. Now, dairy businesses are increasingly hedging with futures, locking in a price down the road. Dairy contracts are relatively new to the global markets, but trading is booming.
Hornless Holsteins and Enviropigs: the Genetically Engineered Animals We Never Knew (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8f4050b1a1&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
For the first time ever, FDA has approved an animal genetically engineered for human consumption: the AquAdvantage salmon. Here are six other bioengineered animals that could've changed food but never made it to market.
You Know That Romaine-Linked Outbreak? DNA Tech Is Fixing It. (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2d8a2ecb4b&e=2715c96b29) - Futurism
Thanks to advances in genetic sequencing, we may soon have the ability to end food-borne outbreaks faster. Researchers could match genetic fingerprints in food samples to find the source of the outbreak.
Worker Shortage Hurts California's Agriculture Industry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=fb274778ea&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
Farmers in California have been struggling with a shortage of workers during harvest season - a hit for the state with the biggest agriculture economy in the country.
In the California Desert, the Bautista Family Grows Hot Dates (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=cddf8e2afa&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
The organic, family-run operation produces seven varieties of dates. Since 2011, their mail-order operation has developed a fanatical following from around the country.
cheffer
EATERS
Always Wanted to Try a Blowtorch? With Cheffer, You Can Rent One (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d1cdde2f05&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
The Boston-based startup is an online catalog of kitchen appliances from equipment staples to more niche gadgets that users can rent for a small fee.
Health & Nutrition Disparities Faced by Older, Low-Income Americans Reveals Marketing Opportunity (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b724537c07&e=2715c96b29) - Food Navigator
Low-income, older Americans want to eat well to improve their health, but face additional barriers. This poses an opportunity for wellness-oriented brands.
Why Millions of Californians Eligible for Food Stamps Don't Get Them (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2bd1863a59&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
The state ranks near the bottom in enrolling people for food assistance. To change that, it's taking lessons from its robust Medi-Cal health insurance program, which targets much the same population.
Can #RecipeForDisaster Help Us Stop Wasting So Much Food? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1185de2696&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
A new social media campaign from the World Food Programme (WFP) wants you to turn food waste from a recipe for disaster into a recipe for disaster.
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