Latest food tech and innovation news, jobs and events.
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food tech connect
crop trust
FEATURED
We've interviewed 45+ CEOs, execs, farmers and investors about the role of biodiversity in the food industry. Read our interviews (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=de4682eb54&e=2715c96b29) with Starbucks, Rebbl, Food Tank, Impossible Foods and more.
How Crop Trust Is Safeguarding the World's Crops & Plants (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=abe12cf0cf&e=2715c96b29)
The Crop Trust's Marie Haga talks to us about why crop diversity is critical to to safeguarding the genetic material scientists need to develop new crops.
Why Tender Greens Is Putting Rediscovered Foods on the Menu (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9646b84ede&e=2715c96b29)
Tender Greens CEO Erik Oberholtzer on how he's incorporating rediscovered ingredients like fonio into the chain's menus and inspiring other chefs to do the same.
Biodiversity on Farms Must Include People, Says Nikiko Masumoto (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=81f764ed33&e=2715c96b29)
Nikiko Masumoto discusses industrial agriculture's history of racism, slavery and patriarchy, urging us to include diversity of people in biodiversity.
FAO's State of the World's Biodiversity, Gingko Bioworks Raises $90M + More (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3b7b08bba9&e=2715c96b29)
Our round-up of this week's top food innovation news.
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Join our team! We are hiring a part-time Event Producer (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d402672570&e=2715c96b29) and Digital Community Manager (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ca68949436&e=2715c96b29) .
biodiversity panel
Join us for a forward-thinking conversation that will inspire hope and action.
Hosted by General Mills in partnership with Food+Tech Connect and The Future Market, featuring:
* Shauna Sadowski of General Mills (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ca6bb9c947&e=2715c96b29)
* Gina Asoudegan of Applegate (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1f231e766e&e=2715c96b29)
* Lisa Curtis of Kuli Kuli (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=55a79971ad&e=2715c96b29)
* Mike Lee of The Future Market (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=fea7a33a01&e=2715c96b29) & Alpha Food Labs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7727033e5f&e=2715c96b29)
* Moderated by: Danielle Gould of Food+Tech Connect (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ab74a5bdce&e=2715c96b29) & Alpha Food Labs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b0f9677889&e=2715c96b29)
A core tenet of regenerative agriculture, biodiversity at the farm level improves soil health and resilience…just as biodiversity in one's diet improves personal health and resilience. Come hear how brands like Applegate, Kuli Kuli and General Mills are innovating toward a more biodiverse food system.
MORE INFO (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f62fa54c6c&e=2715c96b29)
EVENT
AI in Food
Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms promise to transform the food industry.
Join us and WeWork Labs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e3f9ef3004&e=2715c96b29) to hear from the CEOs and COOs of Journey Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2208c8a801&e=2715c96b29) , Tastewise (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d9cf517a0f&e=2715c96b29) and Farmwave (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=36efbdc07c&e=2715c96b29) as they do a deep dive into their business models and technologies.
Get Your Ticket! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e59bfde9ba&e=2715c96b29)
martha
CPG
Canada: Martha Stewart Takes Advisory Role at Pot Firm Canopy Growth (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c050415c9f&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
The lifestyle guru is teaming up with the world's largest cannabis company to help develop a broad new line of products for both humans and animals.
VC Firm Boulder Food Group Raises $100m to Invest in Early-Stage Food and Beverage Companies (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a64fdfb36d&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
BFG raised the capital through its 50 partners, including Arlon Group and Rabobank. The initial investment is going to OLIPOP, a clinically-backed digestive sparkling beverage.
Good Culture Raises $8M, Launches into New Category (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2d9e92842e&e=2715c96b29) - Nosh
301 Inc led the round, with CAVU Venture Partners and Almanac Insights taking part. Funding will go in part towards helping tell the brand's story and invest in marketing strategies with a focus on shopper and field marketing.
Kuli Kuli Closes $5M Series B with Griffith Foods and Kellogg (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ce3e96a1fc&e=2715c96b29) - Kuli Kuli
The investment will help Kuli Kuli launch their new moringa ingredient business while continuing to scale their moringa powder, bars and shots business.
After Cost Cutting, Big Food Builds Its Future on Investing for Growth (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8a7694ace0&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Companies such as General Mills, Kellogg and Mondelez are back to spending in an effort to reignite sales and compete with more nimble upstarts and shifting consumer tastes.
Here's How Dairy Giant Dean Foods Curdled Its Own Milk (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=21cba80c40&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
In what may be an unraveling spurred by years-ago actions, dairy giant Dean Foods is looking at strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the company.
Campbell Shows Signs of a Turnaround (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=24dc944030&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
Campbell Soup made progress in its effort to reignite growth after a tumultuous year, underscoring the gulf between some smaller food makers and the problems facing Kraft Heinz.
Glyphosate Is in Most Beer and Wine (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f29f48fd06&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
On the same day a federal trial against Roundup owner Bayer started, the report from US PIRG recommends that use of the weed killer be banned.
Organic Valley and Maple Hill Create New Standards for Organic Grass-Fed Dairy Products (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a2f5f29e34&e=2715c96b29) - Food Navigator
The new third-party certification, called the Certified Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Program, will be administered by Organic Plus Trust. It aims to set a standard for grass-fed organic farming standards and products.
The "Healthy" Snack Bar Boom, Explained (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5dc5089bb4&e=2715c96b29) - Vox
Clif, Kind and Health Warrior bars are everywhere. But do they cause more problems than they solve?
blue apron
RETAIL
Is This the Death Rattle of Mail-Order Meal Kits? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=073a62d83e&e=2715c96b29) - Eater
As the novelty of meal kits wears off, companies like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh are seemingly faced with a choice: pivot or die.
Japan Aims to Automate All Convenience Stores by 2025 with a New RFID Technology (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b4e2d304b1&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
Labor shortage is becoming serious in Japan. Now the government is taking the initiative to automate the retail sector with the RFID technology, with help from WaveSafe's microwaveable RFID tags.
A Scientist on the Myth of Ugly Produce and Food Waste (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=11352d9dc8&e=2715c96b29) - Vox
Startups Misfits Market and Imperfect Produce say they're rescuing food that would otherwise be wasted. Sarah Taber is calling bullshit.
As Robots Invade the Grocery Aisle, a Promising but Uncertain Future Awaits (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ef9b45fe67&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Automating everything from stock checks to floor scrubbing could save retailers money, but some robots have their detractors.
Future Retail Secures Deal to Open 7-Eleven Stores in India (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=690edb0114&e=2715c96b29) - Reuters
7-Eleven Inc expects to open its first branded store in India this year, after reaching a deal with Future Retail to run the chain in India.
Coterie, a Young New York Startup, Promises to Deliver Charming Party Kits to Your Doorstep (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8727e094dc&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The startup is assembling party kits for everything from birthday parties to baby showers. It has raised $2.75m with participation from Canaan Partners and the Female Founders Fund.
presto
RESTAURANTS
Presto Raises $30M to Bring Its AI Platform and Tabletop Ordering Hardware to Restaurant Chains (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0d1deb1758&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
Recruit Holdings and Romulus Capital led the round. Presto is looking to rapidly expand its footprint. The company is now supporting 5k restaurant locations, but aims to double that number in 2019.
FedEx Partners With Walmart, Pizza Hut to Test Last-Mile Delivery Robot (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=79d504fa08&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
FedEx Corp this summer plans to begin testing a robot to handle home deliveries for partners ranging from Walmart Inc to Pizza Hut.
Starbucks and McDonald's Are Testing These Radical Cups of the Future (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5659335edd&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
A coalition of some of the biggest brands on the planet just awarded $1m to 12 companies trying to build a cup that's easy to recycle. Here are the finalists.
How to Get People to Eat Plant-Based Food: Make It Sound Really, Really Good (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4a3686f7ed&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
Eating less meat is one of the surest ways to drive down emissions and halt climate change. This new guide from the Better Buying Lab will help restaurants and brands to make plant-based alternatives sound appealing.
Food Delivery App Caviar Spotlights Who's Making Your Food by Labeling Restaurants As Women-Owned (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=46a41d15b3&e=2715c96b29) - The Verge
Caviar partnered with Pineapple Collaborative to launch the initiative. So far, only 34 or so restaurants are included, but users get the ability to nominate other eateries.
motif
AGRICULTURE
With $90M in Funding, the Gingko Spinoff Motif Joins the Fight for the Future of Food (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=062df6cc5d&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
Energy Ventures, Louis Dreyfus Companies, Fonterra and Viking Global Investors took part in the round. Motif will develop proteins that can serve as meat and dairy replacements.
Agriculture Startup iUNU Raises $7.5M to Turn Greenhouses into High-Tech Manufacturer (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=693f822c8a&e=2715c96b29) - GeekWire
Bootstrap Labs and NCT Ventures led the round. The company plans to deploy its AI system to change the way commercial greenhouse operators monitor their crops.
Seaweed, Sorghum and Cell Behavior Projects Win GFI Grants (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=de82c27e54&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
Good Food Institute has awarded $3m in grants to 14 researchers innovating in the areas of plant-based and cell-based meat.
AgShift Launches Hydra, Its AI-Powered Food Quality Analyzer for Bulk Inspections (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b6fe6a2710&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
Instead of inspectors manually selecting and inspecting samples, whole trays of samples can now be inserted into the Hydra to be assessed at once.
Elemental Excelerator Provides Up to $1M to Startups Tackling Our Biggest Agriculture Challenges (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6b70f87152&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
The growth-stage accelerator selects 15-20 startups each year and provides up to $1m to deploy transformational projects, and $100k to startups who are refining their go-to-market strategies. The deadline for applying is April 12.
The Role of Heirloom Crops vs Genetic Engineering in Future Food Systems (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=32fb8fbfe7&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
As we move into future climate change, food security issues beg the question: is GE and industrial agriculture in our best interests? Or could small-scale agriculture, including a return to heirloom crop varieties, be relied upon to steer us into a sustainable future?
THC and CBD Can Be Made with Genetically Engineered Yeast (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9ac386a108&e=2715c96b29) - Quartz
UC Berkeley scientists figured out how to genetically engineer brewer's yeast to make marijuana cannabinoids, including THC and CBD.
BrightFarms Plans Three New Greenhouses (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=863983396a&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
The company plans to open three new greenhouse farms in Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina. Once operational, it estimates that each greenhouse will produce more than 2m pounds of salad greens and herbs each year.
Farmworkers Are on the Frontlines of Climate Change. Can New Laws Protect Them? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=de90376512&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
As temperatures heat up, farmworkers face mounting health risks. Some advocates are creating and expanding laws to protect them.
UK: New "Speed Cloning" Could Help Genetically Engineer Disease-Resistant Crops Even Faster (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4bb5d25d1b&e=2715c96b29) - Modern Farmer
Techniques like CRISPR gene editing is expensive and can take more than a decadeBritish researchers came up with AgRenSeq, a database for wild crops that provide scientists with the section of the genome they want to sequence.
Dubai: Scientists Breed Salt-Loving Crops, But World Is Slow to Bite (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=94ee0aac51&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
Scientists in Dubai are developing crops like quinoa that can thrive in the salty soils intruding into the world's croplands. Winning over enough people to eat them is proving a greater challenge.
Perdue Unveils a More Humane Chicken Slaughter Process (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=456cf8d898&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
The company is investing $20m investment in the installation of a bird transportation system at its Delaware plant. Rather than being handled by humans, the Perdue chickens will be moved from barns to slaughter by machinery.
nutrition
EATERS
We Need Better Answers on Nutrition (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d8cba82697&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
The US is overdue to establish an institute devoted to research on the top cause of poor health.
The Future of Food: Predictions from 4 Industry Leaders (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=60d94f9b0f&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
Ran Peled from CommonSense Robotics, Bruce Schroder from Moe's Southwest Grill, Elana Karp from Plated and Christine Marcus from Alchemista share their thoughts on technology, convenience and personalization.
https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6f6acf7d5b&e=2715c96b29
LATEST JOB LISTINGS
Event Producer at Food+Tech Connect (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a97e426b0d&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
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Head Production Chef at 2Forks (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=29fe7aa511&e=2715c96b29) - San Francisco, CA
Marketing and Sales Coordinator at Gotham Greens (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=fced142f7d&e=2715c96b29) - Chicago, IL
Field Marketing Coordinator at Gotham Greens (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8b7b4402d3&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Recipe Developer at Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b2736d1910&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Director of Culinary at Just Salad (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=264a47d9be&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Marketing Internship at Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7b3678dfea&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Product Development and Brand Manager at New York Hemp Oil (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f35f929f46&e=2715c96b29) - Cortland, NY
Principal, Supply Chain and Ingredients at Lewis & Clark Partners (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=60479dc2f6&e=2715c96b29) - St. Louis, MO
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