Latest food tech and innovation news, jobs and events.
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food tech connect
halo top
FEATURED
Halo Top Gets Acquired, MIT Allegedly Faked Food Computer Results + More (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d1c8006de4&e=2715c96b29)
Our round-up of this week's top food innovation news.
Join Entrepreneurs, Investors & Industry Experts at The Pet Innovation Challenge [Sponsored] (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c4bf599aaa&e=2715c96b29)
Factory LLC and New Hope Network invite you to join entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts at The Pet Innovation Challenge, an event and competition to support the most innovative entre-pet-neurs.
TERRA Food & Ag Accelerator Announces 4th Cohort [Sponsored] (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=587c3dc6f8&e=2715c96b29)
TERRA Food & Ag Accelerator's fourth cohort includes 13 innovative startups tackling food waste, sustainable packaging, food safety and more.
With Lab-Grown Chicken Nuggets, Dumplings, and Burgers, Futuristic Foods Aim to Seem Familiar (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e0099800ca&e=2715c96b29) - LeapsMag
Early prototypes are innovating on comfort foods to ease adoption. Our own Mike Lee shares insights on the future of food.
2018 U.S. Food & Beverage Startup Investment Report (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1a52d78da1&e=2715c96b29)
Over $1.45B was invested across 247 deals in 2018, according to the research in our second annual investment report produced in partnership with Ryan Willams. Plant-centric alternatives to meat and dairy accounted for one-third of total investment in food and beverage startups in 2018. Check out the report for a deep dive into last year's investor and investment trends.
EVENT
Regen Agtech
Our soil is in crisis. We only have 60 years of topsoil left if we continue with current farming practices, according to UN estimates. Enter regenerative agriculture, an approach to farming that aims to rebuild soil health and farming communities, while also supporting carbon sequestration and reversing climate change.
Join us at Regenerative AgTech for a deep dive into the new business models and technologies that are helping to grow the regenerative agriculture movement.
Hear Talks From:
* Indigo Ag (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=387744fd4d&e=2715c96b29)
* PastureMap (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b44a4f446f&e=2715c96b29)
* OpenTEAM (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f9980c42b2&e=2715c96b29)
* The Rodale Institute (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=af99eab3f9&e=2715c96b29)
* Applegate's The New Food Collective (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=5e4cf82d14&e=2715c96b29)
* Savory Institute (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ccdcaa2ca1&e=2715c96b29)
Taste Bites & Beverages From:
* Wonderlab's Doozy Pots (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=63f2cc6257&e=2715c96b29)
* YOLÉLÉ FOODS (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4b433853dc&e=2715c96b29)
* Plovgh (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3c2c8d0853&e=2715c96b29)
* Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=36a203fc5c&e=2715c96b29)
* Shaka Tea (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=84630326f1&e=2715c96b29)
* Union Snacks (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6621454baf&e=2715c96b29)
* AeroFarms (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=eac0c9032e&e=2715c96b29)
* Applegate's The New Food Collective (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=be83c166a8&e=2715c96b29)
RSVP (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0dfc66d87d&e=2715c96b29)
strong roots
CPG
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Maker Wells Enterprise to Buy Halo Top (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f344ecafec&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Financial terms are undisclosed. While Eden Creamery was looking to sell Halo Top for the past couple of years for as much as $2b, Halo Top's CEO showed little interest in the brand getting acquired by a multinational CPG company.
UK: Food Tech Startup Strong Roots Raises $18M for Vegetable-Based Frozen Products (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2e498a62cb&e=2715c96b29) - VentureBeat
Goode Partners led the round. Funding will cement the startup's global expansion, particularly in the US.
Magic Spoon Gets $5.5M in Seed Funds to Reinvent the Cereal Category (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a5db68dd5c&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Lightspeed Venture Partners led the round. The funds will be used to expand the business, hire more people, increase marketing and create new flavors.
Kraft Heinz's VC Fund Leads $3.5M Round for Animal-Free Dairy Cheese Maker (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1a5d878a18&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
New Culture plans to set up an R&D and fermentation facility in San Francisco.
Can Alternative Protein Startups Justify Their Climbing Valuations? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c6ef435491&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
Overall, investors are bullish about alternatives to animal products. There is now an increasing point of contention between founders and investors: startup valuations.
StarKist Fined $100M for Price-Fixing Conspiracy (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7ed863c32a&e=2715c96b29) - Undercurrent News
StarKist lawyers unsuccessfully argued it could result in bankruptcy and a potential loss of jobs for its 2,600 US employees.
Impossible Foods Teases Location for Retail Launch, Reveals First Product (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=22402b3045&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
Its first retail product will likely be packaged around ground "meat" and launch in a city like Los Angeles or Miami.
New Bill to Reduce Food Waste Enters Congress (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8835c9f7b7&e=2715c96b29) - Food Tank
The new bill aims to standardize date labels across the United States to tackle the complex system of sell by, use by and best before dates.
simbe
RETAIL
Simbe Raises a $26M Series A for Its Retail Inventory Robot (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6d5ef2eed5&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The round was led by Venrock, and will go towards growing its headcount, exploring new markets and accelerating the deployment of its existing robots.
Seattle Startup Swiftly Raises $15.6M, Launches Supermarket OS to Help Retailers Battle Amazon (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7a8767f3cb&e=2715c96b29) - GeekWire
Investors included Novel Private Equity, Mendacre, Ron Burkle, Sam McBride, The Ward Family and more. The funding round coincides with its debut of its checkout system for brick and mortar stores.
These Brothers Just Raised $15M for Their Startup Dutchie, a Kind of Shopify for Cannabis Dispensaries (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8f716e887d&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
Gron Ventures led the round. The company is now being used by 450 dispensaries across 18 states and seeing $140m in gross merchandise volume.
Caper Closes $10M Series A Round (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=68db529e8d&e=2715c96b29) - PYMNTS
Lux Capital lead the round in the smart shopping cart. This latest funding will be used to bring the company's smart grocery carts to more locations.
China: We Went Inside Alibaba's Global Headquarters. Here's What We Saw (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=793fc53a6c&e=2715c96b29) - CNBC
Various technologies are being tested across Alibaba's campus, including facial recognition security access, seamless auto-payment for food, autonomous vehicles, retail tech and a hotel of the future.
Meal Kits Not Performing Well at Amazon Go Stores (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b666f7202a&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
An internal analysis has revealed that meal kits are a strategic focus, but could be cut from Go stores.
Walmart Grocery Is Expanding Its $98 Per Year 'Delivery Unlimited' Subscription Across the US (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=cb65b743bf&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
Walmart aims to reach over 50% of the country by year-end.
just salad
RESTAURANTS
A Popular Salad Chain Is Ditching Beef for Good and Replacing It With Beyond Meat (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6e776e7698&e=2715c96b29) - Business Insider
Just Salad's new Beyond Beef Meatball will be available nationwide as a topping for wraps and bowls. Just Salad will become the first chain to eliminate beef entirely from its menu in favor of a plant-based alternative.
The Soon to Be $200B Online Food Delivery Is Rapidly Changing the Global Food Industry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=82f5351fae&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
To really understand the growing clout of the online food delivery business, one need only follow the story of Uber Eats.
Europe & Canada: McDonald's Is Testing Plastic-Free Concept Stores (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=145c604c11&e=2715c96b29) - Food & Wine
Wooden spoons and edible condiment cups replace less eco-friendly options at "Better McDonald's" locations in Germany, the UK and Canada.
McDonald's Acquires Apprente to Bring Voice Technology to Drive-Thrus (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3f92eed70a&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The technology is expected to allow for faster, simpler and more accurate order taking at the drive-thru and could potentially incorporate into mobile ordering and kiosks. Financial terms were undisclosed.
Uber Eats Doesn't Plan on Eating Its Competition – for Now (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b5d8fc3a2f&e=2715c96b29) - Vox
Its competitors are consolidating, but Uber Eats says acquisitions aren't in its near future.
redefine meat
AGRICULTURE
Israel: Redefine Meat Raises $6M for 3D Printed Meat Alternatives (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9fdb613fc3&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
CPT Capital led the round. New capital will be used to finalize its alternative meat 3D printer and ensure that it hits its timeline release goal of 2020.
How to Get Rid of Carbon Emissions: Pay Farmers to Bury Them (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=fe8d440a51&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
Regenerative growing practices improve soil health and sequester in the soil carbon released from burning fossil fuels.
Trump Administration to Finalize Rollback of Clean Water Protections (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d1faac8ea4&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
The administration is expected to complete the repeal of a major Obama-era regulation that put limits on chemicals that could be used near streams, wetlands and water bodies.
In Rural Appalachia, Beekeeping Offers a New Path for Coal Miners (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3690777bfe&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
Nearly 40% of coal jobs disappeared over the past decade. The Appalachian Beekeeping Collective is offering West Virginians a new future.
Today's Special: Grilled Salmon Laced with Plastic (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9e5c8f0667&e=2715c96b29) - The Fern
We used to think microplastics stayed in a fish's guts. Chilling new research suggests the tiny particles migrate into its flesh.
In Nebraska, Fight Over Costco Chicken Farms Escalates (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c131a87600&e=2715c96b29) - The Fern
As Nebraska's brand-new Costco chicken processing plant begins sending birds down the line, residents are escalating their protest against the company by pushing for a statewide moratorium on new CAFOs.
New Ways to Make Vertical Farming Stack Up (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6f44385c22&e=2715c96b29) - The Economist
Cultivating fresh produce in an artificial environment is getting cheaper.
The World's Banana Supply Is at Risk. Here's What You Need to Know (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a8c0163b07&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunder
A fungus called Fusarium is threatening to wipe out the $8b global banana industry, put thousands of farmers in South America at risk, and send shockwaves through the diets of millions.
Poor Vegetable Crop Dents Demand for Tin Cans (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=cddfef871b&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
US steelmakers, already stung from tariff-related business moves that have backfired, are facing an unexpected new woe: a bad vegetable harvest.
Trump Delays Increase in Tariffs on Chinese Goods by Two Weeks 'As a Gesture of Good Will' (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=55bf9c1355&e=2715c96b29) - The Washington Post
The move comes after China said it would remove tariffs on some US products.
The USDA Relocation to Kansas City Is Ripping Apart the Lives of Its Employees. Here Are Some of Their Stories (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d565f4cb36&e=2715c96b29) - The Washington Post
In the months since the announcement, two-thirds of USDA employees decided to leave their jobs rather than move, forcing families at all stages of life to make wrenching decisions.
Should We Forgive Student Loans for Farmers? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=02bc7c0ee5&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
Advocates believe that farming should be considered a public service and, thus, make farmers eligible for debt cancellation. But some opponents say this would amount to a public subsidy for private businesses.
ckbk
EATERS
UK: Ckbk Pulls a 'Spotify for Recipes' Out of the Beta Oven (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=037a89ca91&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The digital service offers on-demand access to high quality recipes licensed from major publishers of best selling cookbooks.
Cultivated' Meat Could Be the Most Consumer-Friendly Term for Cell-Cultured Meat, Suggests Mattson/GFI Research (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c91a37048a&e=2715c96b29) - Food Navigator
The term 'cell-based meat' is not a winner with consumers. Cultivated meat might tick all the boxes when it comes to describing growing meat from animal cells, without slaughter.
Starving Seniors: How America Fails to Feed Its Aging (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4b58412222&e=2715c96b29) - Kaiser Health News
One out of every 13 older Americans struggles to find enough food to eat while the federal program intended to help hasn't kept pace with the graying population.
As SNAP Enrollment Declines Nationwide, California Opens a Door for New Participants (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=216c538463&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
California passed legislation to include people who receive federal Supplemental Security Income, which pays benefits to adults and children with disabilities, among the populations eligible for CalFresh.
What Have the Last 10 Years of School Food Policy Taught Us? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c7440b6e23&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
From school lunch shaming to universal free meals, four experts discuss the changes the past decade has brought to the nation's school lunch program.
How to Fund a Food Business for People Who Have No Idea Where to Start (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9fbb881984&e=2715c96b29) - Vice
Here's what I needed to know, as a young woman of color who wanted to be my own boss.
https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=70fd5adfee&e=2715c96b29
LATEST JOB LISTINGS
Director, Customer Success and Account Management at Impossible Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=df5430ebe0&e=2715c96b29) - Redwood City, CA
Retail Sales Associate at Ark Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d4e5584c7e&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Chief Financial Guru at East Bali Cashews (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=58c915cc6f&e=2715c96b29) - Bali, Indonesia
Sales Lead at Pod Foods Co (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=77b19348f3&e=2715c96b29) - Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY
Product Services Manager, Dairy at Fair Trade USA (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=21f35097f9&e=2715c96b29) - Oakland, CA
Standards Manager, Dairy at Fair Trade USA (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=084978fed1&e=2715c96b29) - Oakland, CA
Food Technician at KitchenTown (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=13455ec858&e=2715c96b29) - San Mateo, CA
Director of Finance and Development at The Meat Hook (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d34f1e8d53&e=2715c96b29) - Brooklyn, NY
Food & Beverage Business Development Manager at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=bdc6f8389c&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Assessment and Analytics Manager at The Center for Good Food Purchasing (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=481b858ebd&e=2715c96b29) - Bay Area, CA; Seattle, WA; Remote
SEARCH MORE JOBS! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e02725cc02&e=2715c96b29)
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