Latest food tech and innovation news, jobs and events.
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food tech connect
sweetgreen
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=0cd8eb539a&e=2715c96b29) with Starbucks, Rebbl, Food Tank, Impossible Foods and more.
Sweetgreen's Flavor-Forward Approach to Biodiversity (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e9bffd9eaf&e=2715c96b29)
We speak with co-founder and chief concept officer Nic Jammet about how sweetgreen thinks about biodiversity and encourages it across its supply chain.
Believe in Bambara on Its Climate-Smart, Plant-Based Protein (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=80056f1b30&e=2715c96b29)
Believe in Bambara co-founder Tamara Cohen talks to us about why and how her startup is bringing the bambara groundnut to the US.
GODAN on Open Data to Support Biodiversity & Health (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=641abb6888&e=2715c96b29)
GODAN's André Laperrière talks to us about using open data to help eaters, health professionals and governments improve health and preserve biodiversity.
FoodShot Global on Investing in a Regenerative, Biodiverse Food System (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=10cee6fa37&e=2715c96b29)
FoodShot Global founder Victor Friedberg talks to us about white space opportunities and capital structures for transitioning to a regenerative and biodiverse food system.
How Vertical Farming Startup Bowery Approaches Biodiversity (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f1e6716937&e=2715c96b29)
Bowery's Susan MacIsaac explain how the vertical farming company is utilizing previously unusable industrial space to grow over 100 crop varieties.
How Health Warrior Built Its Chia Supply Chain (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=06583f46da&e=2715c96b29)
Health Warrior's director of strategic sales Casey Emmett talks to us about how the chia brand built its initial supply chain for the underutilized crop.
How Farm.One Uses Tech to Grow 500+ Specialty Crops For Chefs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2c30951da1&e=2715c96b29)
Farm.One CEO Rob Laing talks to us about how the vertical farming startup uses technology to grow over 500 specialty produce crops for chefs.
Siete Foods Raises $90M, Viome Acquires Habit's Personalized Nutrition Platform + More (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0cf31524a0&e=2715c96b29)
Our round-up of last week's top food innovation news.
EVENT
food biodiversity
Just 12 plants and 5 animals make up 75% of the world's food supply. There are 30,000+ edible plants, and we eat only 150 of them. This kind of consolidation puts our food supply at risk and leaves a lot of opportunity - new flavors and food experiences - on the table.
Join us to hear how game-changing startups are creating a more biodiverse food system at our February Food+Tech Meetup. CEOs and COOs from Row 7 Seed Co (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e89a413ad8&e=2715c96b29) , Alpha Food Labs (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6c4aef7313&e=2715c96b29) , Kuli Kuli (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b6ef2ee8d2&e=2715c96b29) and Tender Greens (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=43a566f8fa&e=2715c96b29) will do a deep dive into their business models and supply chains.
Get Your Tickets! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=99ac9cf204&e=2715c96b29)
perfect day
CPG
Cork-Born Startup Raises Further $34M to Bring Cow-Free Milk to Market (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=73a84c8a94&e=2715c96b29) - Irish Times
The round was led by Horizons Ventures, Temasek Holdings and ADM Capital. The company uses bioengineered yeast to produce real milk protein. It aims to go to market within a few years.
Honest Company Co-Founder Christopher Gavigan Has a New, Newly Funded, CBD Startup Called Prima (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9771e2942e&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
Lerer Hippeau led the $3.3m seed round, with participation from Greycroft and others. The company plans to sell cosmetic and edible products directly through its education-driven website. Ingestible products include soft gel and powder blends for immunity, sleep and energy.
Can Plant-Based Burger Startups Reframe the Masculinity of Meat? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c180ba878b&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
Meat substitute manufacturers such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are grappling with intense social conditioning as they relay to consumers that protein doesn't need to come from a cow.
Nestlé Acquires New Fortification Tech to Tackle Iron Deficiency (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d1c925adbd&e=2715c96b29) - Nutra Ingredients
The technology, Ferri Pro, is a novel protein-iron complex that uses food-grade materials to fortify foods without harming the taste of food and beverages.
CBD Sports Wellness Beverages Emerge as Possible New Category (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=bf460a3c2a&e=2715c96b29) - BevNet
Sports drinks are emerging as one of the main established categories facing disruption by CBD, as a new wave of brands aims to expand the sports drink category and its ability to deliver a range of physical and mental benefits to athletes.
AB InBev's Incubator Arm Takes Full Ownership of RateBeer (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=44fad6ee95&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
After taking a minority stake in RateBeer, one of the most successful and well-regarded peer beer rating websites in the world, AB InBev has fully acquired the business for an undisclosed sum.
Taali Takes Its Popped Water Lily Snacks from Y Combinator to the World (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4e3070a03b&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The company was founded by a husband-wife duo hailing from Mumbai. It is already selling its snacks through Amazon and in retail locations.
ABC News Called It "Pink Slime." Now, USDA Says It Can Be Labeled "Ground Beef." (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6211af9b3a&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
Beef Products Inc has enlisted the federal government in its effort to recoup its image and reclassify its signature product—the offering famously called "pink slime" in an ABC News exposé.
FDA Warns Supplement Makers to Stop Touting Cures for Diseases Like Alzheimer's (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6a969ad9d8&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
The agency warned 12 dietary supplement companies to stop marketing such products for disease treatments, and called for tougher regulation of the $40b industry.
nuro
RETAIL
SoftBank's Next Bet: $940M into Autonomous Delivery Startup Nuro (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=fc7eb14f57&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The investment will be used to expand its delivery service, add new partners, hire employees and scale up its fleet of self-driving bots. The company partnered in 2018 with Kroger to pilot a delivery service in Arizona.
When Amazon Went From Big to Unbelievably Big (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=76ac0b96cc&e=2715c96b29) - The Atlantic
The data on the company's real-estate holdings reveal a remarkable inflection point.
India: BigBasket to Become Unicorn with Fresh $150M Funding (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1d52fe9850&e=2715c96b29) - VCCircle
CDC Group Plc and Mirae Asset are believed to be the investors. The deal will value the retailer above $1b. The company plans to invest heavily in groceries over the next three years as well as partner with offline grocers.
Denmark: Too Good To Go Raises €6M to Rescue Food in 16 Countries (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0be9802166&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
Funding came from private investors, including Mike Lee of My Fitness Pal. The surplus food marketplace currently serves 9 countries and aims to expand to 16 by the end of the year.
This Startup Is Trader Joe's Meets Costco, with a Splash of Brandless (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d229b3c9ca&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
A $59 yearly membership on Public Goods gets you access to clean personal care products, ethically sourced household goods and organic food items at drastically low prices.
5 Ways Blue Apron Has Attempted to Stave Off Death (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1031275c56&e=2715c96b29) - Eater
The once-mighty meal kit company has tried celebrity partnerships and now, cheaper, stripped-down kits.
Where Does a Tip to an Amazon Driver Go? In Some Cases, Toward the Driver's Base Pay (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a10ffb83ec&e=2715c96b29) - Los Angeles Times
If Amazon's contribution doesn't reach the guaranteed wage, the e-commerce giant makes up the difference with tips from customers, according to documentation shared by five drivers.
Why People Still Don't Buy Groceries Online (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0b962b772f&e=2715c96b29) - The Atlantic
Convincing customers to order groceries online is still nearly as difficult now as it was in 1989. Twenty-two percent of apparel sales and 30% of computer and electronics sales happen online today, but the same can be said for only 3% of grocery sales.
postmates
RESTAURANTS
Food Delivery Pioneer Postmates Files to Go Public (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ed29c4ab96&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
The company could be valued at more than $1.85b in its listing. It is working with JPMorgan and Bank of America on its IPO.
Yelp Elite Are Becoming Obsolete (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0bd4c5accf&e=2715c96b29) - Eater
When it comes to wielding real influence, Instagram is taking over — but much like Yelp reviewers, they are also facing major backlash.
Food Sensor Company Maps World's Peanut, Gluten-Free Restaurant Dishes (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=72d8d239c4&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Casual
Nima has launched an online tool that lists gluten-free and peanut-free dishes at more than 250k restaurant locations.
Grubhub Breaks Down Its Chain Partnerships Strategy (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=21eb7e2f89&e=2715c96b29) - Skift Table
The company plans to partner with more chain restaurants this year, claiming that it's the one to beat when it comes to the variety of tech support that it can offer.
How Chinese Restaurants Are Shut Out of the Organic Food Movement (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1d9b4dfe2b&e=2715c96b29) - San Francisco Chronicle
The organic movement may inform the collective American palate, but its gravitas has not consistently paid off for historically marginalized cuisines. No food culture in America bears a millstone quite so bigoted as the Chinese.
The Hottest New Streetwear Brand Is Actually a Restaurant (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=daa7aa665f&e=2715c96b29) - Bon Appetit
How food-related merch became a status symbol.
Female Founder Funding
AGRICULTURE
A Structural Bias Harms Women-Led Enterprises and the Agrifood Issues They Are Working to Solve. We Want to Know What That Costs Us. (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0dcde32197&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
The New Food Economy, AgFunder and Karen Karp & Partners investigate the funding gaps for women founders across the food and agriculture sectors.
You Call That Meat? Not So Fast, Cattle Ranchers Say (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b1c925e929&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
With new vegetarian and lab-produced burgers coming to stores, several states are looking to bar newcomers from using the word meat on their labels.
Plummeting Insect Numbers 'Threaten Collapse of Nature' (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=58f1439068&e=2715c96b29) - The Guardian
More than 40% of insect species are declining and a third are endangered. At this rate, insects could vanish within a century.
Why the White Earth Band of Ojibwe Legally Recognized Wild Rice's Rights (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=eb526b49e6&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
Under the Rights of Nature, the plant—as well as the freshwater resources it needs to survive—now have an inalienable right to exist.
FDA Readies for Produce Safety Rule for US Farms, Offers Compliance Resources (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a27da2b5a9&e=2715c96b29) - Food Navigator
Beginning this spring, the FDA will begin routine inspections of large domestic and international farms as part of the Produce Safety Rule established under FSMA.
These Probiotics for Plants Help Farms Suck Up Extra Carbon Dioxide (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b88ad0b5bf&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
A mix of fungi and bacteria added to the soil makes agriculture more productive–and helps stop climate change. The probiotics are made by Locus Agricultural Solutions.
UK: On Rooftops and in Tunnels, City Farms Lead Food Revolution (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=26470ea06d&e=2715c96b29) - The Guardian
Growing Underground has occupied a section of the second world war air raid shelters for nearly five years, and is planning to expand into the rest of the space later this year.
green new deal
EATERS
What the New Green Deal Means for the Food on Your Plate (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7649bdbfa9&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
The long-awaited policy proposal from Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Ed Markey has finally surfaced—and it aims to turn US agriculture into a positive force for climate change and social justice.
Does Your Company Need to Know Your Body-Mass Index? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a903b8dad2&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
As more employers launch high-tech wellness programs that keep tabs on workers' exercise, sleep and nutrition, employees worry about privacy and the consequences of opting out.
How Corporations Shaped the American Diet, from Jell-O to Pineapple Pizza (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9cba2e1db5&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
A new book shows how ad campaigns and corporate recipes conjured beloved American food traditions out of thin air.
These Home and Kitchen Startups Want You to Stay in More — Here's How They're Capitalizing on Exhaustion (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d65e40fb2e&e=2715c96b29) - Business Insider
Millennials are turning to innovative and fairly priced startups to create a haven at home.
https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e3362028d4&e=2715c96b29
LATEST JOB LISTINGS
Sales Manager at The Teff Company (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=de7e269938&e=2715c96b29) - Boise, ID
Food Service Director at Bi-Rite Family of Business (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9716518435&e=2715c96b29) - San Francisco, CA
Customer Success Manager - Sustainability/Food Waste at Leanpath (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b1d7822079&e=2715c96b29) - Mountain View, CA
Food Insecurity Curriculum Editor at Ample Table for Everyone (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=30c540a188&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Associate Brand Manager at King Arthur Flour (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=aa990b76fa&e=2715c96b29) - White River Junction, VT
Commercialized Banking Research and Development at ALS Concepts (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=ab737b80f4&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Food Operations Manager at Kitchentown (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=0496e222a3&e=2715c96b29) - San Mateo, CA
Google Food Program Innovation Project Manager at Google (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=317f1781c5&e=2715c96b29) - Bay Area, CA
Food Service Sales Executive at MySuperFoods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8e72497b51&e=2715c96b29) - Summit, NJ
Retail Sales Executive at MySuperFoods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8815c8f08a&e=2715c96b29) - Summit, NJ
Food Science Intern at Spero Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1418e5caaf&e=2715c96b29) - Los Angeles, CA; San Jose, CA
SEARCH MORE JOBS! (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=87439248bd&e=2715c96b29)
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