Latest food tech and innovation news, jobs and events.
View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/foodtechconnect/unilever-acquires-graze-for-194m-viome-acquires-habit-2997245?e=2715c96b29)
food tech connect
danone
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=915d7001a7&e=2715c96b29) with Starbucks, Rebbl, Food Tank, Impossible Foods and more.
How Danone North America Aims to Improve Soil Health (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d56d319d5f&e=2715c96b29)
Danone North America's Tina Owens talks to us about how the company measures soil health and invests in farmers to convert to biodiverse soil practices.
Impossible Foods on How Meat Is Causing Catastrophic Biodiversity Loss — and How to Stop It (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4a95023e05&e=2715c96b29)
Impossible Foods CEO Pat Brown discusses how demand for animal protein is causing biodiversity loss, and how the plant-based company is preventing more loss.
Kuli Kuli on Diversifying Monocultures of People and Plants (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ed2d48b7d1&e=2715c96b29)
Kuli Kuli CEO Lisa Curtis talks to us about how cultivating a diverse team is just as important as diversifying crops, animals and ecosystems.
The Future of Food Is Biodiverse (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7cdda07b75&e=2715c96b29)
Biodiversity is crucial to the health of our food supply and it sits at the intersection of taste and sustainability. Biodiverse food is sustainable food.
Food Companies Share Biodiverse Practices at Food+Tech Connect (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=42cf3a8ae2&e=2715c96b29) - The Packer
While the conversation around sustainability typically focuses on how we grow our food, it's time to focus on what we're growing. Food+Tech Connect's February event gathered more than 150 people to explore the topic of biodiversity in the food industry.
Clif Bar Launches Ag Fund, 50 Future Foods for a Better Food System + More (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ad3d06e18f&e=2715c96b29)
Our round-up of last week's top food innovation news.
✨ WE'RE HIRING ✨
Join our team! We are hiring a part-time Event Producer (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e19410906a&e=2715c96b29) and Digital Community Manager (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=861b5203df&e=2715c96b29) .
EVENT
AI in Food
Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms promise to transform the food industry. Innovative startups are leveraging these technologies to change the way we produce, distribute and consume food — from early plant disease detection to streamlining product development and consumer insights. What is A.I.? How does it actually work? How are companies leveraging it and why?
Join us and WeWork Labs to hear from the CEOs and COOs of Journey Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=bfd913e9de&e=2715c96b29) , Tastewise (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2772e89dbf&e=2715c96b29) and Farmwave (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4eca73226a&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=905c190add&e=2715c96b29)
beyod meat
CPG
Shaquille O'Neal and 13 Top Athletes Invest in Vegan Beyond Meat (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8ce4f9f8f1&e=2715c96b29) - VegNews
The brand's star-packed "Go Beyond" campaign features NBA stars, NFL players, pro skaters and other athletes who swear by vegan meat for peak performance.
Kraft Heinz Posts Huge Loss, Slashes Dividend and Reveals SEC Investigation (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8048734a13&e=2715c96b29) - CNN
The company wrote down the value of its Kraft and Oscar Mayer brands by $15b, posted a $12.6b loss, cut its dividend by 16% and anounced its accounting practices are under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday.
Consumer Goods Companies Preparing for Climate Change Impact (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=34934b1ab9&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
In a new report, Fast Moving Consumers, CDP ranked nine of the largest publicly listed companies on their business readiness for a low carbon transition. Danone and Nestle came out on top - Mondelez International and Kraft Heinz ranked bottom.
Back To The Roots Raises $3M Series C Funding (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2197e48694&e=2715c96b29) - Finsmes
The round was led by Central Garden & Pet and joined by Blue Scorpion Investments. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth in the indoor gardening market.
Kraft Heinz Reviews Option for Its Maxwell House Coffee Business, Including Possible Sale, As It Looks to Reshape Its Food Empire (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c9cfdd8f0f&e=2715c96b29) - CNBC
The coffee business has roughly $400m in earnings, and it could fetch a deal price in the billions. It could be one in a string of divestitures for Kraft Heinz, as it looks to r-estabilize its business.
microsoft albertsons
RETAIL
Microsoft Is Teaming Up with America's Second-Largest Grocery Chain to Fend Off Amazon (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=43917d672c&e=2715c96b29) - The Verge
The partnership will bring Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 to Albertsons stores, which will use cognitive technologies, AI and data science to implement a "frictionless" shopping experience at scale.
Swedish Grocer Braces for Radical Change in Online Food Shopping (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9c1cfedef5&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
Sweden's largest food retailer ICA is preparing for its largest transformation yet to cater to a growing number of customers who want to shop for groceries online. The 81-year-old-company is shifting investments toward e-commerce, advanced analytics and AI.
Why Do Corner Stores Struggle to Sell Fresh Produce? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=25fc1c553a&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
It's a decades-old problem. But a new store called the Skid Row Peoples' Market — and an ongoing effort to change things in Los Angeles — paints the picture in a fresh light.
Amazon Launches Private Label Milk (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3f6d0ee1de&e=2715c96b29) - Grocery Dive
The retailer has introduced new dairy products, including a variety of milks, under its Happy Belly brand and a new coconut water product under its Solimo brand. The move could indicate a renewed push behind AmazonFresh.
doordash
RESTAURANTS
DoorDash Now Valued at $7.1B (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=755386789c&e=2715c96b29) - Axios
The company has raised $400m co-led by Temasek and Dragoneer Investment Management. Proceeds from the new round will be used, in part, to expand its last-mile logistics platform and subscription product. It also plans to increase its headcount, and eventually expand into non-food products.
At This Fast Food Drive-Through, the Person Taking Your Order Might Not Be a Person At All (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7bc0722083&e=2715c96b29) - The Washington Post
Valyant AI is the startup behind the AI assistant, which has endured months of testing but officially began handing Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard's breakfast orders last week.
Uber in Talks to Sell India Food Delivery Business (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=26d5b91252&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
Less than two years after Uber entered India's competitive food delivery business, it's in talks to sell its operations in the country to rival Swiggy.
Will Gig Workers Start to Plan Their Financial Futures? DoorDash Thinks So (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9c28ac171d&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
In the latest recruitment incentive to get drivers, DoorDash will issue sign-up bonuses to new contractors in the form of an Acorns investment portfolio contribution.
Your Robot-Made Coffee Is Ready. Where Does That Leave the Barista? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3b992341bf&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
Fast Company named an Austin-based robot coffee maker Briggo among the 10 most innovative companies in the world. The latest kudos for the startup have everything to do with how technology and artificial intelligence are remaking food service as we know it.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Introduces Drive-Thru "Chipotlanes" (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ca81835dfa&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
Customers can now place their order via the Chipotle mobile app, then pick it up in the drive-thru.
biodiversity
AGRICULTURE
Food Security and Rural Jobs Under Threat from Dramatic Loss of Biodiversity (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=67ff1f4d7e&e=2715c96b29) - Fortune
The FAO on Friday published its first report into the state of the world's biodiversity, warning that the losses threaten our food, livelihoods, health and environment. And once that biodiversity is lost, it isn't coming back.
640 Labs Founder Raises $8.25M Series A for New Venture Tillable, an Online Farmland Rental Marketplace (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=de233cec4f&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
Investment was led by The Production Board with participation from First Round Capital. Tillable will use the funding to expand its engineering, sales and marketing teams.
Israeli Startups Join Firms Making Lab-Grown 'Clean Meat' (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d725c7a123&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
Several Israeli startups have joined a handful of companies around the globe trying to develop lab-grown meat, something they see as a solution to the needs of the world's ever-growing population and burgeoning demand for food.
SF Startup's Lab-Grown Chicken Nugget Passes Taste Test (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e5da09638d&e=2715c96b29) - CBS
JUST hosted a tasting of its lab-grown chicken nugget, which is not yet commercially available. While it awaits regulatory approval from the FDA and USDA, it plans to launch its chicken nugget in Asia in 2019.
Big Food and Non Profits Are Promoting Organic Conversion, So Why Aren't There More Organic-Focused Technologies? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1c1b7c2408&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
While many conventional farmers are well versed in agtech tools, particularly those deployed for precision agriculture such as the variable application rate of seeds and inputs, these tools are not always adapted or relevant for organic farming.
China's Tech Firms Are Mapping Pig Faces (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e998e26b83&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
As a devastating disease afflicts the country's swine, companies are scrambling to roll out facial and voice recognition and other unproven ways to save them.
China: The Chicken Is Local, But Was It Happy? GPS Now Tells the Life Story of Your Poultry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a4075f29b2&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
ZhongAn Online, a Chinese insurance company, has already outfitted more than a 100k chickens with trackers that share how much exercise each chicken gets and what it ate. The technology will be on 2.5k farms in China by next year.
India: Mumbai Becomes World's First City to Host a Research Centre Dedicated to Lab-Grown Meat (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2140c59e24&e=2715c96b29) - India Times
The Institute of Chemical Technology is partnering with industry leaders to set up the research center, which will also help to steer the growth of more cultured meat companies in India.
Massive Loss of Thousands of Hives Afflicts Orchard Growers and Beekeepers (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d3c44b9da1&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
Honey bees deal with many stressors: chemicals, climate change and viruses. But this year, a tiny mite has wiped out colonies, causing worry over whether there are enough bees left to do their jobs.
food waste
EATERS
Big Money Joins Fight Against $1T in Wasted Food (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=691486f8fb&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
Companies have raised more than $125m in capital to improve the industry's efficiency, but it's proving hard to convince consumers not to throw away perfectly good food.
Microbiome Research Will Accelerate the Blue Biotechnology Industry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0803bc2dd7&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
Microbiome research will rapidly accelerate progress made in the blue biotechnology industry, which uses marine organisms to develop compounds for human use in medicine, food production, cosmetics and more.
Meet the Executives Who Have Made Netflix Food TV (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2a7e27f342&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
If you want to understand how Netflix is reinventing every aspect of TV programming, consider how–and how fast–it's changed food shows.
'Moment of Reckoning': US Cities Burn Recyclables after China Bans Imports (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=841d44dfef&e=2715c96b29) - The Guardian
Residents of cities like Chester, outside Philadelphia, fear a rise in pollution from incinerators after China's recycling ban.
A Fatal Public Health Problem in Africa That Flies Under the Radar (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=031d0c6601&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
Over 100k people in the continent die each year from food borne illnesses. A new report looks at the reasons the toll is so high.
https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f76394f8b3&e=2715c96b29
LATEST JOB LISTINGS
Event Producer at Food+Tech Connect (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=cdf11c022c&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Digital Community Manager at Food+Tech Connect (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b360d6d2b7&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Marketing and Sales Coordinator at Gotham Greens (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3116024f80&e=2715c96b29) - Chicago, IL
Field Marketing Coordinator at Gotham Greens (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e5586a4e77&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Recipe Developer at Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=43970f4848&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Director of Culinary at Just Salad (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e1fbb42990&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Marketing Internship at Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b2864b4a48&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=5060651f05&e=2715c96b29) - Cortland, NY
Principal, Supply Chain and Ingredients at Lewis & Clark Partners (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f6aa1cb2f3&e=2715c96b29) - St. Louis, MO
Controller at Industrial/Organic (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a36c62b395&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Cause Marketing Coordinator / Manager at Farm Aid (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=74751e1f51&e=2715c96b29) - Cambridge, MA
Sales Manager at Eat OffBeat (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=26084fbca2&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Western USA Regional Sales Director at BrandStorm Inc (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=102fb64de4&e=2715c96b29) - Remote
SEARCH MORE JOBS! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c8378957e2&e=2715c96b29)
https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ea91262926&e=2715c96b29
We created this open-source list to increase representation, support and investment in women, women of color & gender-nonconforming innovators in food. Join the list & help us spread the word using #womxninfood
** NEW TO OUR NEWSLETTER?
------------------------------------------------------------
Click HERE (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=515da73cd5&e=2715c96b29) to subscribe and get the latest food tech news, jobs and events delivered to your inbox.
Food+Tech Connect (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8f581a8248&e=2715c96b29) is the site of record and community for the food tech and innovation sector.
============================================================
** Facebook (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9b3de95dcd&e=2715c96b29)
** Facebook (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5bbfbe4756&e=2715c96b29)
** Twitter (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e0077e39c7&e=2715c96b29)
** Twitter (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f1df4d3297&e=2715c96b29)
** FTC (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=eae011b509&e=2715c96b29)
** FTC (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=531d5da1f9&e=2715c96b29)
** Instagram (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d7e2ebfd89&e=2715c96b29)
** Instagram (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f8ded55c5c&e=2715c96b29)
Copyright © 2019 Food Tech Media, All rights reserved.
You're receiving this email because you signed up at foodtechconnect.com.
Our mailing address is:
Food Tech Media
26 Broadway, 8th Floor
NY, NEW YORK 10003
USA
** unsubscribe from this list (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a4ee94a879&e=2715c96b29&c=2ade4392fa)
** update subscription preferences (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/profile?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a4ee94a879&e=2715c96b29)
