Latest food tech and innovation news, jobs and events.
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food tech connect
REBBL
FEATURED
It's biodiversity month at Food+Tech Connect. Over the next month we'll be publishing interviews with 45+ CEOs, execs, farmers and investors to explore the role of biodiversity in the food industry. Learn more about the series (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0530858eb5&e=2715c96b29) , and read our published interviews with General Mills, Row 7, Impossible Foods, Tender Greens snd more.
We're also sharing some cool stuff on Instagram (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b1b7f436f0&e=2715c96b29) , so be sure to check that out, too.
Why Biodiversity Is Core to Rebbl's Business (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ae2d484eb5&e=2715c96b29)
Rebbl CEO Sheryl O'Loughlin on promoting biodiversity through regenerative agriculture, using ethically sourced ingredients and through consumer education.
AeroFarms on Using Tech to Diversify Our Crops (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6e17729da2&e=2715c96b29)
AeroFarms co-founder and CMO Marc Oshima on how indoor agriculture can allow farms to grow crops that have been lost to climate change, disease and pests.
La Quercia on Flavor & Experience as a Gateway to Biodiversity (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=717c0c3471&e=2715c96b29)
La Quercia co-founder Herb Eckhouse on working with heritage animal breeders to create products with unique flavors that also preserve biodiversity.
Rediscovered Food Initiative on Promoting 25 Underutilized Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ada28e63a8&e=2715c96b29)
The Lexicon of Sustainability director Douglas Gayeton talks about how the Rediscovered Food Initiative is promoting the use of 25 neglected and underutilized foods, a great resource for the industry.
Crops For the Future on Dietary Diversity & Underutilized Crops (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9e4ed82ab2&e=2715c96b29)
Crops For the Future Research Centre CEO Prof Sayed Azam-Ali talks to us about promoting climate-resilient, nutritious and economically viable underutilized crops.
Thrive Market on the Next Big Certifications (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=98361943d8&e=2715c96b29)
Thrive Market CEO Nick Green says Demeter Biodynamic Certification and Regenerative Organic Certifications will become more prevalent in the next 18 months.
Biodiversity on Farms Must Include People, Says Nikiko Masumoto (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d53cddc694&e=2715c96b29)
Nikiko Masumoto discusses industrial agriculture's history of racism, slavery & patriarchy, urging us to include diversity of people in biodiversity.
Whole Foods Shelves 365 Format, Oatly to Open New Jersey Plant + More (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=92c8b47e0d&e=2715c96b29)
Our round-up of this week's top news.
SPONSORED
chobani
Apply to the Chobani® Incubator!
Applications are open for the Chobani® Incubator Spring 2019 program! In addition to a $25,000 equity-free investment, Chobani® gives growing food and beverage companies access to its network and expertise to help scale up operations and achieve significant growth.
If you're making a delicious, nutritious, natural and affordable product and are looking to take your business to the next level, we encourage you to apply. Applications are due by Thursday, January 31st.
Apply Now (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=62bbda589d&e=2715c96b29)
EVENT
rethinking cpg
Oatly, Sir Kensignton's & Four Sigmatic on Rethinking CPG
From direct-to-consumer models to growth hacks, startups are radically rethinking how food products are developed, packaged and sold. Join us to hear how Oatly, Sir Kensington's and Four Sigmatic are rethinking CPG.
Get Your Tickets! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d161e8c647&e=2715c96b29)
oatly
CPG
Oat Milk Buzz Triggers a Factory Expansion and New Brands From Big Food (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=cdc32d0b16&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
Oatly is set to open a plant in New Jersey to boost production by as much as 10 times. Other companies are jumping on the oat milk bandwagon, including Califia Farms, PepsiCo's Quaker Oats and Danone's Silk.
Forget Lab-Grown Meat and Blockchain. This Is the Future of Food (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=fff99c154b&e=2715c96b29) - Food Business News
Mike Lee of Alpha Food Labs argues for a simpler solution — we need to create a more biodiverse food system to support a healthier planet and people.
Clean Label Trend Shows No Signs of Slowing (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8012966f84&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Despite the proliferation of products with simpler ingredient lists, experts say there is plenty of room to grow — especially down the supply chain.
Anderson Boneless Beef Snapped Up by FoodMaven (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=37696f436d&e=2715c96b29) - Global Meat
The online startup is set to expand its protein offering. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Nestlé and Danimer to Develop Biodegradable Bottles (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a62e5baf54&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Danimer will develop biodegradable water bottles using the company's PHA polymer Nodax.
Quinoa Whiskey? Modified Crop List Spurs Distilleries to Try Alternative Grains (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9c9c681a0a&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
"Grain" has been limited by federal law to four crops: corn, wheat, rye and barley. But a broadened definition has been proposed, sparking more experimentation and creativity in the whiskey industry.
Analytics Firm Launches First Cannabis Price Index (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d6f0e21d33&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
The index includes data on how much consumers are paying for cannabis and related products in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.
With Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Demand, Coca-Cola Launches Bottled Line Bar Nøne (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=85067dc2db&e=2715c96b29) - Atlanta
The cocktail-inspired drinks come in varieties such as ginger mule and Bellini spritz.
Vodka Is Meant to be Tasteless. Now Distillers Push Toasted Nuts, Fog (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=be864fe1e0&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
Vodka makers are increasingly talking up tasting notes and terroir. Distillers want to turn the liquor from a partygoer's shot into a sophisticated snifter. Here's the twist: Vodka under US regulations is meant to be tasteless.
robomart
RETAIL
Robomart Drives Home a Deal with Stop & Shop for Mobile Commerce (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7bae54bee3&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
Robomart announced that its self-driving mobile commerce vehicles will be used by Stop & Shop in the greater Boston area starting this Spring. Vehicles will carry produce, meal kits and other convenience items directly to customer's doors.
Giant Food Stores Will Replace Robotic Assistants at 172 Locations (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=361d8f07b9&e=2715c96b29) - The Washington Post
The robotic rollout is part of a plan by Giant's parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA, to deploy about 500 robots to stores such as Giant, Martin's and Stop & Shop.
Pensa, AI-Enabled Drones Maker for Inventory Monitoring, Raises $5M (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=491e1583fd&e=2715c96b29) - Xconomy
Signia Venture Partners led the funding, which will help Pensa do additional store trials.
5 Eye-Catching Tech Innovations from NRF (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1bbc03d236&e=2715c96b29) - Grocery Dive
From digital shelves to just-walk-out technology, a variety of solutions were on display as vendors aim to capitalize on grocery's digital transformation.
Billions in Food Stamp Payments to Come Early Because of Shutdown (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b956cba7a7&e=2715c96b29) - Politico
The Trump administration announced that it had come up with a way to bankroll more than $4.8b in benefits, but 39m people enrolled in SNAP must be paid out by January 20. The news has left states and grocery stores scrambling.
Blue Apron Shares Skyrocket after Company Say It Will Be Profitable in 2019 (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d7756de6fb&e=2715c96b29) - CNBC
Shares soared 28% on Tuesday, despite it being in danger of being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. To help sales, Blue Apron has partnered with Walmart's Jet.com and WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers.
Kroger's Mobile Truck Tackles Food Access in Louisville (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a6aa8d763b&e=2715c96b29) - Grocery Dive
The mobile food trucks will soon traverse the streets of Louisville to bring fresh produce, meat and other groceries to residents without easy access to healthy food.
How an FDA Algorithm Is Killing Bodegas (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=202cd2461a&e=2715c96b29) - Tech Policy Podcast
The New Food Economy's Claire Brown joined Joe Miller to discuss how an FDA algorithm is killing bodegas by flagging otherwise legal transactions as fraud.
Europe: Meet E-Fresh, the Digital Grocer That Posted a 90% Growth Rate in 2018 (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ee9e08c19f&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
E-Fresh has now established itself as a viable competitor of AmazonFresh and is looking to remodel the digital grocery industry in the European market.
sweetgreen
RESTAURANTS
What Sweetgreen Can Teach Startups About Scaling Intimacy (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ad8d674a95&e=2715c96b29) - First Round Review
Co-founder Nathaniel Ru draws on his experience scaling Sweetgreen to offer startups a clearer window into how rapidly growing companies can stay connected with customers, partners and employees.
Shake Shack Plans to Launch Food Trucks in February (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6f08f6ef51&e=2715c96b29) - Skift Table
Shake Shack's food trucks are a smart play to boost company sales in the lucrative private events and catering space.
Restaurants Turning More to Technology, Retention Programs to Ease Labor Pressures (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=62ff8b58f1&e=2715c96b29) - CNBC
Some 20 states are slated to raise their minimum wages in 2019, putting pressure on restaurants' bottom lines. More than 72% of people left jobs in food service in 2017.
Yelp Investor Says Shares Could Almost Double, Urges Changes (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9c167d5ad5&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
One of Yelp Inc's largest investors thinks the user-review website's shares could almost double and is prepared to launch a proxy fight if the company doesn't follow its recommendations to improve performance.
Dear Restaurants, Your Inaccessibility Is the Opposite of Hospitality (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3354a7c35f&e=2715c96b29) - Eater
For an industry built on hospitality, too many restaurants still pay lip service to — or flat-out ignore — the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Previous World's 50 Best Winners Are Ineligible for This Year's List (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2670be96b8&e=2715c96b29) - Eater
Any restaurant that's held the no.1 spot is now off the list for good.
seetree
AGRICULTURE
Israeli Drone StartUp SeeTree Comes Out of Stealth with $15M Series A for Perm Crop Service (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=40f46c3b52&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
Hanaco Ventures led the round. SeeTree will use funding to further the development of its technology for citrus orchards.
80 Acres Farms Strikes 'Significant Investment' from San Francisco Private Equity Firm (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ede75040b9&e=2715c96b29) - Food Navigator
The vertical farming company has received an undisclosed sum from Virgo Investment Group to help rapidly commercialize its technology.
France's Sencrop Closes $10M Series A to Expand Agro-Weather Station Network (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=413784ee2d&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
BpiFrance led the round. Funding will be used to accelerate Sencrop's international development by expanding its network of weather stations, as well as its community of farmer users.
Already Reeling from Tariff War, Some Farmers Aren't Receiving Government Support Checks Amid Shutdown (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=985d9b2375&e=2715c96b29) - The Washington Post
Many farmers, among Trump's loyal base in rural America, can't make ends meet and are considering abandoning their crops.
In California, Wonderful Citrus Strike Exposes a Murky World of Unequal Pay for Farmworkers (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b03572f6d3&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
The state's sprawling fruit orchards are mostly staffed by subcontractors, who tend to pay workers less than farms do.
Ocean Warming Is Accelerating Faster Than Thought, New Research Finds (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5499280983&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
An analysis concluded that Earth's oceans are heating up 40% faster on average than a United Nations panel estimated five years ago, a finding with dire implications for climate change.
On the Autofarm: China Turns to Driverless Tractors, Combined to Overhaul Agriculture (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3832b89dc4&e=2715c96b29) - Reuters
The Chinese government is pushing firms to develop within 7 years fully-automated machinery capable of planting, fertilizing and harvesting each of the country's staple crops: rice, wheat and corn.
Farming Insects Could Be Key to Sustainable Food Production, but Upscaling Issues Linger, say Swedish Scientists (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7df55d0b95&e=2715c96b29) - Food Ingredients First
Researchers explored unanswered questions around insect rearing and environmental impacts, but overall remained optimistic that suppliers will rise to the challenge.
UK: Future Farming Hub Is Creating a One-Stop-Shop Vertical Farming System for 'Anyone' (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0bf86052a3&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
The model aims to be a one-stop-shop system that allows users with no agricultural or engineering background to operate, relying on real-time data to do the heavy lifting.
Hemp Bets Grow After Crop Is Legalized (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=49545b42a3&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
Farmers and food makers are rushing into the potentially volatile market for products containing cannabidiol.
EAT-Lancet Report
EATERS
New Diet Guidelines to Benefit People and the Planet: More Greens for All, Less Meat for Some (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d74fa09db0&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health brings together 30+ leading scientists to reach a scientific consensus that defines a healthy and sustainable diet.
UK: Personalized Nutrition Specialist Spoon Guru Gets Ready for US Market Expansion (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a25d8ece92&e=2715c96b29) - Nutra Ingredients
The UK startup believes it can improve the grocery shopping experience of US shoppers that have dietary restrictions.
Food Is Helping Flint Recover and Reimagine Itself (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0ce5639f63&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
Addressing the water crisis head on, multiple healthy food initiatives are working to improve health, nutrition and food security while jumpstarting the local economy.
https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=87c62f071c&e=2715c96b29
LATEST JOB LISTINGS
Google Food Program Innovation Project Manager at Google (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=62436bd4f6&e=2715c96b29) - Bay Area, CA
Food Service Sales Executive at MySuperFoods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=eb76ddb908&e=2715c96b29) - Summit, NJ
Retail Sales Executive at MySuperFoods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7ab568fc01&e=2715c96b29) - Summit, NJ
Food Science Intern at Spero Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9a86aa4a3d&e=2715c96b29) - Los Angeles, CA; San Jose, CA
Shift Leader / Supervisor at Ox Verte (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=13f46dad3c&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Operations Manager - Manufacturing at Banza (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e7cb618f44&e=2715c96b29) - Riverside, CA
Incubator Kitchen and Program Manager at Grand Rapids Downtown Market (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=29237b056c&e=2715c96b29) - Grand Rapids, MI
Innovation Project Manager at Mattson: Innovation for the F&B Industry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6d0160e4bb&e=2715c96b29) - San Francisco, CA
Special Assistant to the CEO at Gro Intelligence (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6927ac7a26&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Kuli Kuli Operations Coordinator (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=39f28f5de6&e=2715c96b29) - Bay Area, CA; Remote
SEARCH MORE JOBS! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=32aa18c686&e=2715c96b29)
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