Plantbased Business Hour

plantbased business hour

Planting Seeds of Compassion: How Christine Mott’s ‘Free Bird’ Connects to a Future of Ethical Investing

During a recent episode of the Plantbased Business Hour, Elysabeth Alfano sat down with former lawyer-turned-author, Christine Mott. A passionate advocate for animal welfare and the author of a new children’s book, Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight, Christine’s work highlights a critical theme that resonates with those involved in food system transformation away from animal agriculture: shaping the future through early education in empathy and ethics. The power of early education in compassion Christine shared her motivation behind choosing a children’s book format, emphasizing the powerful, long-term impact of teaching compassion to the next generation. She spoke candidly about the challenges of addressing serious societal issues—violence toward animals, environmental degradation, and systemic injustices—in ways that are accessible and engaging for young minds. Christine …

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What’s Next for Oatly: Sustainability Leadership and Targets for 2030 with Julie Kunen

Many investors in the public markets closely track companies reshaping the food system with innovative, sustainable solutions. Among these, Oatly stands out for merging scientific rigor with accessible consumer branding, and for setting bold sustainability targets as it scales globally. A recent episode of the Plantbased Business Hour, hosted by Elysabeth Alfano, featured Julie Kunen, the Co-Lead of Global Sustainability for Oatly, and explored what’s next for the company and how its sustainability efforts are evolving. Leading with climate transparency Oatly has always been recognized for its quirky, consumer-centric branding, but as Julie Kunen emphasized, the company’s DNA has long included a commitment to rigorous science. A prime example is Oatly’s decision to place carbon footprint labels directly on product packaging. Kunen noted that the …

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A Democratic Protein Revolution: Structuring the Next Phase of Food System Transformation with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

As climate pressures, consumer demand, and economic imperatives converge, the global food sector stands at the brink of systemic change. It isn’t a question of if, but of how fast. A recent conversation on The Plantbased Business Hour hosted by VegTech Invest’s CEO, Elysabeth Alfano, featured Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Their discussion reinforced a critical message: the time to invest in structural shifts—across yield innovation, value-added infrastructure, and supply chain transformation—is now. Canada’s role in the global shift to sustainable protein Dr. Charlebois described how Canada, a major agricultural player, is rapidly pivoting from traditional meat-centric models toward what he terms a “democratic protein play.” This emerging model emphasizes pulses and legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and …

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Why the US Department of Energy Is Investing in Food Innovation: The Financial Case for Next-Generation Protein Production

The future of food is being shaped by unexpected players, and among them is the US Department of Energy (DOE). Traditionally focused on infrastructure, fuel sources, and energy grids, the DOE’s investment in alternative protein technology highlights a critical financial and environmental shift: food innovation is now a national energy priority. The recent episode of The Plantbased Business Hour hosted by VegTech Invest’s CEO, Elysabeth Alfano, featured Mike Messersmith, CEO of Tender Food, a company pioneering an innovative approach to plant-based meat production. Their breakthrough technology—spinning fava bean protein, rice protein, and oat fiber into fibrous, meat-like textures—represents a new frontier in food technology. But what makes this so relevant to the Department of Energy? Food innovation as an energy solution The DOE’s involvement in food production, investing $5 million in Tender Food as …

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How Does the Food System Reduce Natural Capital?

As the global economy faces mounting pressure from environmental degradation, investors and economists alike are grappling with a pressing question: Can economic growth persist if natural capital—the foundation of our ecological and economic systems—continues to erode? Paul Gruenwald, Global Chief Economist for S&P Global, tackled this issue on a recent episode of Upside & Impact: Investing for Change, hosted by VegTech Invest’s CEO, Elysabeth Alfano. The discussion centered around the economic implications of declining natural capital, including the tremendous pressure from our current food system, the necessity of integrating environmental considerations into financial models, and the potential for “green growth” to sustain economic expansion. The case for green growth Traditional economic models have long focused on physical capital—factories, infrastructure, and investment portfolios—while treating natural capital, such …

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Department of Defense Invests Heavily in Food Innovation: Why?

Elysabeth Alfano is the CEO of VegTech™ Invest, an advisor to a food innovation ET, and a consultant to C-Suite of multinational companies. She speaks internationally on the intersection of investing, sustainability, and food systems transformation and is also the host of the podcast, Upside & Impact: Investing for Change. In this article, which originally ran on Advisorpedia.com, Elysabeth Alfano explores the US Department of Defense’s significant investment in food innovation through the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP). She examines how food security, supply chain resilience, environmental impact, and public health concerns drive this initiative, positioning food system transformation as both a national security priority and a major investment opportunity. Department of Defense Invests Heavily in Food Innovation: Why? The US Department of Defense is investing heavily …

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How the New US Administration Will Impact Food Systems Transformation

Elysabeth Alfano is the CEO of VegTech™ Invest, an advisor to a food innovation ET, and a consultant to C-Suite of multinational companies. She speaks internationally on the intersection of investing, sustainability, and food systems transformation and is also the host of the podcast, Upside & Impact: Investing for Change. This article, co-written by the fractional associate director of coms & research at VegTech™ Invest, Gwendolyn Brown, explores how the new US administration may influence food systems transformation, addressing bipartisan issues like food insecurity, climate change, and the role of food innovation in national security and global competition. How the New US Administration Will Impact Food Systems Transformation Of late, I have been getting this question a lot: “How will the Trump Administration impact US …

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Can the Tilt Collective Create a Shift Towards Plant-Rich Diets? Find Out From Sarah Lake

New on the scene, the Tilt Collective is trying to encourage a shift to plant-based diets…is it too little, too late or is the timing more than perfect? The CEO, Sarah Lake, joins CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to explain Tilt Collective’s initiatives for creating global change. Specifically, they discussed: 1. What is Tilt Collective, and why was it created? 2. Given the plethora of reasons for tilting toward plant-based options, why has it been so hard to date,e and how is Tilt Collective addressing this? 3. Specifically, how is Tilt Collective looking at winning the global narrative on plant-rich diets? 4. How is Tilt Collective building a coalition of public and private sector CEOs/champions? This is very different from policy initiatives. 5. …

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Why is Europe Leading the World in Plant-based Options? With Pascal Bieri of Planted

Why is Europe leading the world in plant-based options? Pascal Bieri, Co-Founder of Planted joins CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss the struggles and successes of the European market and the recent turn towards sustainable eating. Specifically, they discuss: What is Planted and why did you start it? The sector has been struggling in the U.S., but seems stronger in Europe. Why is this? You have an incredibly varied selection. How have you been able to keep so many SKUs alive and which one does the best? Which country does the best? You recently finished a manufacturing plant. What was the reason for the capital outlay as opposed to co-manufacturing? Do you think that the U.S. …

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Investing in Food System Transformation with Jason Ingle of Third Nature Investments

Jason W. Ingle, founder and Managing Partner of Third Nature Investments, joins CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss the powerful lever for societal and environmental impact that is investing in food system transformation. Specifically, they discuss: What is systems investing and why are you focused on this? How do you invest in systems transformation, and can you give some examples of companies in which you have invested? Why are you focused on more than Climate Change? Can you elaborate on investing in food system transformation? Do you see others engaging in (or at least comprehending) systems investing? If so, who/which sort of entities? Is it too late? Or do you see progress? If no progress, what …

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The Demand for Plant-based, Juicy Steak with Amos Golan of Chunk Foods

Founder and CEO of Chunk Foods, Amos Golan, joins the CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss the demand and success of thick, juicy, plant-based steaks and the global outlook for foodservice today. Specifically, they discussed: Chunk Foods seemed to pop on the scene out of nowhere. Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you started Chunk in Israel? What has the reception been like in the US? Why initially foodservice only, and how big of a push is clean label? While I am sure IP is proprietary, what can you tell us of your fermentation technique and your production techniques to get whole cuts of meat? We speak endlessly of the US …

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What is Plant-Rich Meat and is it a Sell-Out or a Way Forward?

Caroline Cotto of NECTAR Research and Tim Dale from Food System Innovations join CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss the results of a recent study around consumer perception of blended (or plant-rich) meat. Do they like it? Do they hate it? Is it a sell-out? Specifically, they discuss, 1. What is Food System Innovations, and what is its mission? 2. What is NECTAR, and why is it needed? 3. What is plant-rich meat? 4. What are the early indications regarding consumer acceptance of this category? 5. What are some challenges for the overall plant-based and diversified proteins sector moving forward? Below is a highlight clip and transcription from their long-form conversation. Full podcast here. Elysabeth: I want to bring in from Food System Innovations, Tim …

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What Impact Will the Election Result Have on US Food Policy?

In the recent episode of The Plantbased Business Hour, CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano discusses whether or not the 2024 presidential election result could change U.S. food policy. You can listen to the podcast here, and below is a transcription of the podcast. Elysabeth: Here’s today’s Plantbased Business Hour. Hey everyone, it’s great to come to you from the jungle. I thought I would see what it would be like to really be remote and working remotely, and I am indeed doing that from the jungle in Mexico. I’m enjoying it a lot and thought I would get away from election news. So speaking of the election, a lot of people ask me, “What do you think the election will do to …

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Make It or Break It: Scaling Food Manufacturing with David Ziskind

Founder of Mach Global Advisors, David Ziskind, joins CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour, and discusses the pros and cons of building out food manufacturing or going with a co-manufacturer, and how to keep it all sustainable. Specifically, they discuss: What are some of the challenges faced in food manufacturing? How do you scale manufacturing, particularly with smaller budgets? How do you right-size a manufacturing facility? Does contract manufacturing play a role in bridging the gap? In this capital-constrained environment, how can you prepare for future growth? How do you make do with what you have and do more with less? Below is a highlight clip and transcription from their long-form conversation. Podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-it-or-break-it-scaling-food-manufacturing-with/id1512473843?i=1000673442530 Display “David Ziskind Discusses …

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Building a Resilient Food System Supply Chain with Jamie Valenti-Jordan

The founder of Catapult Commercialization Services, Jamie Valenti-Jordan, joins CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss bringing resiliency to the diversified protein supply chain. Specifically, they discuss: Catapult Commercialization Services and Jamie’s long history in food science and manufacturing. What shifts Elysabeth and Jamie see in the sector, both positive and negative? Jamie and Elysabeth’s perspective on the slump of the sector: is it the valley of death or rebirth? What needs to happen for revitalization? Jamie’s predictions for the next 3 years? Below is a highlight clip and transcription from their long-form conversation. Podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-a-resilient-food-system-supply-chain-with/id1512473843?i=1000672510116 Display “Jamie Valenti-Jordan Shares What Gen Alpha and Gen Z are Looking for in Products” from YouTube Click here to display content from …

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What is the State of Plant-based Chicken in the US? With CEO of Daring Chicken, Jeff Gendelman

2021 was supposed to be the year of plant-based chicken: nuggets, strips, patties were all the rage. CEO and Founder of Daring Chicken, Jeff Gendelman, joins CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to take us through the highs and lows of the plant-based chicken trajectory and the chances for success of the category. Specifically, they discussed: Europe is having much more success with this category than the US. Let’s take a trip around the world to discuss how plant-based, specifically chicken, is doing in Europe, Asia and then the US. Are you seeing any signs of things changing in the US? If so, where? Nuggets? Patties? Strips? Meals? Breaded? How much of the change is driven by the …

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What is the State of the American Farmer? Deputy Under Secretary of the USDA, Sanah Baig, Explains

What is the state of the American Farmer? Is food insecurity in the U.S. on the rise? What initiatives are upcoming to address feeding more people with fewer resources? What does the USDA science data tell us? Deputy Under Secretary of the USDA, Sanah Baig, joins CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour for the big knowledge drop just months before the Farm Bill drop. Specifically, they discuss: As we turn the corner into 2025, what is the USDA working on, given the need to feed a growing global population with fewer resources? How is the USDA prioritizing food systems transformation and the plight of the American farmer? What level of money is being spent on the future of agriculture, and what kind of …

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Is 2025 the Year for Financing Food Fast? Ambassador Ertharin Cousin Weighs In

Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture and Executive Director of The Food Systems for the Future, Ertharin Cousin, joins CEO of VegTech Invest, Elysabeth Alfano, on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss the pivotal year of 2025 for food and other systems shifts. Specifically, they discuss: What is the Food Systems for the Future Institute? Given your long tenure as the Ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture and as Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, how have you seen the landscape around global nutrition and food insecurity change? At COP28, the World Bank declared that Food Tech is Climate Tech. There is a growing understanding of the overlap of food systems and energy use, and food’s impact on …

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Friends of the Earth Discuss Who Funds the Most Environmentally Damaging Sectors

Monique Mikhail, Senior Program Manager, Climate and Agriculture Finance Program, and Kelly McNamara, Senior Research and Policy Analyst, at Friends of the Earth join CEO of VegTech Invest, Elysabeth Alfano, on The Plantbased Business Hour to reveal some shocking environmental statistics from the banking industry’s funding of animal agriculture. Specifically, they discuss: What prompted the Bull in the Climate Shop report? How was the study conducted? What were the results? Why would the banks put themselves at this kind of risk? What has been done with the results? Has there been any reaction from the banking industry? From a societal perspective, can the banks stop funding this industry? Is there any kind of mandate to continue to fund them? What are the next steps? Podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friends-of-the-earth-discuss-who-funds/id1512473843?i=1000664723594  Below is a highlight clip …

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What Can AI do for Food Innovation? Meet LEO, Mattson Co’s New AI Agent, to Find Out

What can AI do for food innovation? Meet LEO, Mattson’s AI Agent and find out! On this episode of The Plantbased Business Hour, Chief AI Officer at Mattson, Steve Gundrum, joins CEO of VegTech Invest, Elysabeth Alfano, to take LEO out for a spin and show us the future of food. Specifically, they discuss: What is Mattson Co. and what do you focus on? Times are changing, and you now have LEO, the AI Agent, and advanced AI tools: what are they and what do they do specifically that couldn’t be done before? How has this changed your business and how will this change the future of food? Below is a highlight clip and transcription from their long-form conversation, including their conversation with LEO and …

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