Latest food tech and innovation news, jobs and events.
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food tech connect
Biodiversity
FEATURED
Celebrating Biodiversity on Earth Day (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=17c6a7f420&e=2715c96b29)
Happy Earth Day! In honor of this special day, we are looking back at our interviews with 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=bff4f68e40&e=2715c96b29) with execs from Starbucks, Rebbl, Impossible Foods, Food Tank and more.
Canopy Bets $3.4B on US Cannabis Legalization, Milk Sales Drop by $1.1B in 2018 + More (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d393978e4b&e=2715c96b29)
Our round-up of last week's top food innovation news.
Biodiversity Requirements Will Enhance Organic Standards, Says Kathleen Merrigan (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d99b275d7b&e=2715c96b29)
The former USDA deputy secretary and COO argues that rather than creating new standards and labels, which often just confuse consumers, there are already built-in mechanisms to push organic standards to better support things like biodiversity and soil health.
EVENT
https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=636208d5e1&e=2715c96b29
From plant-based proteins to lab-grown meat, startups are vying to upend the $90 billion meat industry. Plant-based proteins are expected to hit $5.2b by 2020, and cultured meat is poised to reach restaurants by the end of this year.
Join us and our partners at WeWork Food Labs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9be48ea4a6&e=2715c96b29) to hear how emerging startups are rethinking protein. Courtney Boyd Myers will share how AKUA (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9122336248&e=2715c96b29) established its kelp supply chain, Gavin McIntyre will provide insight on how Ecovative (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7881e18a1b&e=2715c96b29) 's mycelium scaffolding can be applied to cell-based food applications, and Brian Rudolph will discuss the development and strategy behind Banza (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=bfcc7d06cc&e=2715c96b29) 's chickpea pasta and rice.
Join Us! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ae578de062&e=2715c96b29)
olly
CPG
Unilever Gives Supplements Another Chance with Olly Acquisition (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=71faf39dbb&e=2715c96b29) - Nutra Ingredients
Financial details were not disclosed. Olly's combination of product offerings, from protein snack to beauty supplements, made it a good fit for Unilever.
Beyond Meat Prices Its Public Offering (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=fd7ff5b7ae&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The company is looking to raise roughly $200m in the stock sale for its portfolio of burger, chicken and sausage replacements. This would value Beyond Meat at more than $1b.
Mondelēz Invests In Hu Kitchen and Products (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=792cca7f01&e=2715c96b29) - Nosh
Financial terms were undisclosed. Hu just debuted a line of gluten-free crackers that will now be able to scale faster and reach a more accessible price with the investment.
Cannabis Investor SOL Global Takes Stake in Jones Soda (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c8fbacd64c&e=2715c96b29) - BevNet
SOL Global purchased a 9.8% stake in publicly traded beverage brand Jones Soda last month, making it the company's largest stockholder.
Ecovative's Mushroom Foam Could Solve Alternative Meat's Texture Problem (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=181ae09a76&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
The company can grow its mycelium into a shape that emulates meat fibers, then infuse it with plant-based fats, flavors and seasonings. It can also be used as a scaffolding to grow cultured meat.
Hear co-founder & director Gavin McIntyre speak at our Rethinking Protein event on Tuesday, April 30th in NYC! RSVP here (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0689a327cf&e=2715c96b29) .
Stryve Biltong's $16.5M Funding Round Will Bulk Up Marketing and Operations (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=169dd1fd42&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Meaningful Partners, Pendyne Capital and Murano Group led the round. The funds will go towards marketing to build awareness of the brand as well as enhancing operations and staff.
Here's Soylent's New Product. It's Food. (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=981551a1f7&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
The Silicon Valley food-drink of choice is now a 'complete nutrition platform.' The beverage plot thickens.
Kraft Heinz Picks New CEO as It Faces Weak Sales and SEC Inquiry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e81b364d71&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
The food giant said Miguel Patricio, an Anheuser-Busch InBev veteran, would succeed Bernardo Hees as chief executive, signaling a potential shift away from years of cost-cutting.
Spain: How a 20-Year Old Startup is Decentralizing Food Production with Modular Powdering Factories (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1c461a0f24&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
Blendhub has been designing and powdering food products for clients for over 20 years. Its decentralized system is a portable container factory that can be deployed anywhere in the world within six months.
Pernod Ricard to Buy Italian Premium Gin Brand Malfy (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2d80ed1fd1&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Financial terms were undisclosed. The move reflects Pernod Ricard's interest in drawing younger fans of premium spirits to the company and its portfolio of products.
Now Your Jerky Is Vegan and Made of Mushrooms (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=168f8163a3&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
A new crop of jerkies is pushing the snack further from its humble roots. Behind the trend's longevity: humans' deep-rooted desire to chew things.
happyfresh
RETAIL
Resurgent HappyFresh Raises $20M for Its Online Grocery Service in Southeast Asia (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5735c54107&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The Mirae Asset-Naver Asia Growth Fund led the Series C. The company plans to use the new capital to double down on technology for increased personalization and more efficient logistics.
Amazon and Walmart Can Now Accept Online SNAP Payments in New York (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=36160f1c5b&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
That's a big step forward for food access, but may amount to a double subsidy for the companies.
America's Biggest Supermarket Company Struggles With Online Grocery Upheaval (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=bc30ce660d&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
Kroger is adjusting operations and investing in technology to try to hang on to customers who no longer like to buy their food in stores.
Are Walgreens' In-Store Targeted Ads Influencing Shoppers' Choices? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2bff81ef22&e=2715c96b29) - PSFK
Walgreens recently began testing a new technology that embeds cameras, sensors and digital screens into its cooler doors. Marketers can use the smart displays to target ads for shoppers.
New Zealand: 'Nude Shopping' Boosts Vegetable and Fruit Sales Dramatically (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4e7b763dde&e=2715c96b29) - Tree Hugger
When New Zealand chain New World ditched plastic wrapping and foam trays, sales of produce jumped by 300%.
Good Eggs Enlists Shoppers' Help to Develop More Sustainable Packaging (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2e18866dd6&e=2715c96b29) - Grocery Dive
Beginning next month, the San Francisco-based online grocer will charge shoppers extra for peak-time deliveries, then use that money to fund reusable ice packs, compostable bags and more.
Turns Out, Meal Kits Might Not Suck for the Planet (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f93b663e10&e=2715c96b29) - Gizmodo
A first-of-its-kind study on the environmental footprint of meal kits has found that they actually can be more climate-friendly than buying the same ingredients for the same meal at your local grocery store.
Amazon Is Shutting Down Its China Marketplace Business. Here's Why It Has Struggled (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=841f90ad8c&e=2715c96b29) - CNBC
Amazon has faced stiff competition from Chinese e-commerce giants Alibaba and JD.com.
tableside
RESTAURANTS
Cava Sets Its Sights on Bigger National Presence After Zoes Kitchen Acquisition (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=887695412c&e=2715c96b29) - CNBC
Cava Group completed its $300m acquisition of Zoes Kitchen. The company is working on bringing Cava Grill to new markets and bring Zoes dips into Whole Foods nationwide.
The Revolution Will Be Tableside (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=73da348200&e=2715c96b29) - Eater
Chefs are turning to the pop-up dinner series to spotlight personal causes, raise money and provide space for marginalized communities.
Restaurants Are Using an App to Staff Their Kitchens (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ad5bcdff14&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
Pared helps owners fill vacancies in restaurants—where hiring and retention is hard—on a temporary basis.
What Does Uber Love More: Restaurants or Investors? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=65c74d51ee&e=2715c96b29) - The Washington Post
Eateries are getting squeezed by delivery apps. Uber could give up profit to keep them happy, but that's not what IPO investors want to hear.
Yelp Asks Reviewers to Weigh In on Single-Use Plastics (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=707b2fb387&e=2715c96b29) - Skift Table
As part of a new initiative, Yelp will ask reviewers if restaurants are eco-friendly. The company wants to understand and quantify a restaurant's environmental friendliness.
soil
AGRICULTURE
To Fix the Climate, We Have to Fix Our Soil (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=30e4671360&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
Decades of intensive agriculture and deforestation have degraded around half of the world's soil, which is one of the most effective natural systems for sequestering carbon. Soil scientist Asmeret Asefaw Berhe argues that we need to stop treating soil like dirt.
The Netherlands: Rockstart Raises €15M for AgriFood Tech 'Accelerator 2.0' Committed to Funding Startups at Later Stages (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1d1ab39c3b&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
Cornerstone investors are Vaekstfonden and De Hoge Dennen Capital. Rockstart aims to focus on optimization of processes and practices, stopping food waste, and driving transparency and sustainability. It plans to invest in more than 200 startups over 5 years.
USDA Waits for Data on Cell-Cultured Food Products (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f535be058a&e=2715c96b29) - Brownfield Ag News
The Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the USDA, Mindy Brashears, says data is needed from companies developing cell-cultured meat in order to move towards labeling.
Sidai Is Revving Up Kenyan Farming with Fleets of Motorbikes and a Fresh Round of Funding (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9d18648e3f&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
Many Kenyan farms struggle for access to quality farming products like vaccines, fertilizers or diagnostic equipment; the farmers also find it hard to attain or acquire sound veterinary or technical expertise.
This Organic Mill is Helping Transform a Regional Economy (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9cd0b60a34&e=2715c96b29) - Modern Farmer
In Ohio, Shagbark Seed & Mill is trying to make local, organic grains the rule rather than the exception.
USDA Could Help Pave the Way for Farmtech Adoption: Where are you Sonny Perdue? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7e80ed357e&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
Anyone paying passing attention to the agricultural sector understands that it is in the middle of an "agtech" revolution. But where is the USDA in all of this?
After Midwest Flooding, Volunteer Hay Drops Provide a Lifeline for Farmers (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ddfeb7760d&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
Long after the media coverage stops, groups like Farm Rescue are stepping up to support farmers—and exemplifying the strength of rural communities.
High CO2 Levels Will Wreck Plants' Nutritional Value, So Don't Plan on Surviving on Vegetables (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=aa24131fce&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
CO2 is stripping the food we eat of essential proteins and nutrients as well as warming the planet.
viome
EATERS
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Invests in $25M Round for Naveen Jain's Microbiome Startup Viome (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=34e9ed4c1d&e=2715c96b29) - GeekWire
The new capital will be used to fund research into the link between the human microbiome and chronic diseases including diabetes, autoimmune disorders and Parkinson's, as well as cancers.
After 8 Years of Legal Battles, Quest for Food Stamp Data Lands at Supreme Court (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d7f3260ce5&e=2715c96b29) - Argus Leader
In 2011, reporters decided to request data about the government's food assistance program. Eight years later, they are still fighting for that data.
Gillbrand Introduces Bill to Ban Harmful Pesticide from School Lunch (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9828568ada&e=2715c96b29) - The Hill
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, one of the Democrats vying for the 2020 presidential nomination, introduced a bill Wednesday that would restrict schools from serving meals that include fruits and vegetables sprayed with chlorpyrifos.
Back to the Roots to Help Consumers Grow Hemp Superfoods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6ed6f76fc6&e=2715c96b29) - Nosh
The kit will retail online for $49.99 and allow consumers to grow five hemp plants that can be used to produce hemp oil, hemp tea or hemp hearts.
Trump Administration Unveils 'Winning' Strategies for US Food Waste Problem (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=09dbace918&e=2715c96b29) - Waste Dive
Priorities include interagency coordination, consumer education, measurement, food safety and labeling, private industry collaboration and waste reduction at federal facilities.
Countless American Families Are Saddled with Student Lunch Debt. Many Won't Be Able to Pay It Off. (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0f244e3994&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
Ballooning lunch debt is a problem for families and schools across the country. And it's evidence of a broken school lunch system that uses students' needs as collateral to leverage money from parents.
https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=738823cc83&e=2715c96b29
LATEST JOB LISTINGS
Operations Manager at Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=42221c8360&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Area Sales Manager at Minna (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5061708f20&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Vice President of Innovation at King Arthur Flour (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=18dad1e0b5&e=2715c96b29) - White River Junction, VT
Vice President of Sales at King Arthur Flour (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8972a43e72&e=2715c96b29) - White River Junction, VT
Vice President of Sales at Leanpath (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=339ae092e5&e=2715c96b29) - Portland, OR
Social Media Coordinator at Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2247c2b437&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Cafe Manager at KitchenTown (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=140bbe3b63&e=2715c96b29) - Bay Area, CA
Bread SRSLY Operations Manager (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=28270a3497&e=2715c96b29) - Berkeley, CA
Event Producer at Food+Tech Connect (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f8f82bfb65&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Digital Community Manager at Food+Tech Connect (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f07673b3d4&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
SEARCH MORE JOBS! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c04cd7e8b6&e=2715c96b29)
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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 (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b4e31e2346&e=2715c96b29) & help us spread the word using #womxninfood
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