allplants World Environment Day

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allplants Says World Environment Day Should Focus on Plants, Not Plastic

UK-based meal delivery service allplants has challenged the theme for this year’s World Environment Day, “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”. The B-Corp argues that plastic is a “distraction” from larger issues facing the planet, such as animal agriculture. Figures suggest that food production is responsible for 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while plant-based diets could slash emissions by up to 85%. This makes adopting a plant-rich diet the second-most impactful solution to climate change, while reducing plastic use isn’t even in the top 50. Producing fewer animal foods would also have numerous other benefits, such as reducing deforestation and water pollution. allplants argues that governments should stop subsidizing the animal agriculture industry, instead focusing on legislation that promotes plant-based diets. It comes as the company …

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Oatly F.A.R.M. The Future Agriculture Renovation Movement

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Oatly Launches Regenerative Agriculture Movement to Slash Climate Footprint by 70%

Oatly has announced the launch of a global regenerative agriculture movement that will work with farmers to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Called F.A.R.M (Future Agriculture Renovation Movement), it aims to restore carbon, improve biodiversity, and support farm viability. The movement will test several different models of regenerative agriculture; pilots are currently taking place in Canada, Sweden, the US, Finland, and the UK, and will scale globally if successful. In 2022, 22 corn and soy farmers participated in the pilot schemes by adding oats as a third crop in their rotation. Oatly says it consults with farmers to find out what works and provides financial incentives to those who take part in the pilots. “The whole idea of planting clover and other cover crops kind …

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New Roots Soft White cheese

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What’s More Sustainable, Dairy From the Cashew or the Cow?

Much has been said around the issue of sustainability in plant milks, with almond milk in particular having notoriety and receiving a plethora of bad press including a well-documented Guardian piece from 2020. However, almond is said to cause the least C02 emissions. It’s a complicated issue. Those milks seen as more beneficial, or indeed least detrimental to the environment, include soy, oat, and pea. But what about the cashew? Highly nutritious despite their high calorie content, this drupe (a stone fruit) offers a good source of magnesium as well as the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin. In terms of sustainability, the cashew requires little water usage and emits fewer greenhouse gases than some other alternatives. Also, their surrounding fruit can be upcycled …

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Fenn Foods becomes certified carbon-neutral

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Fenn Foods Becomes Australia’s First Certified Carbon-Neutral Plant-Based Food Company

Australia’s Fenn Foods, best known for its vEEF range of meat alternatives, has become the country’s first plant-based food producer to be certified carbon-neutral. vEEF plant-based mince was the first of Fenn’s products to be certified, in 2018. Two years later, Fenn told vegconomist that it aimed for all products and the entire company to eventually be carbon-neutral — a goal that has now been achieved. To be certified, Fenn Foods’ ingredients, products, packaging, practices, and even its employees’ commutes had to be rigorously audited by the Carbon Reduction Institute. Fenn then purchased accredited carbon offsets to counter all potential emissions. Sustainable meat alternatives Fenn Foods offers a range of retail products under the vEEF brand, including burgers, meatballs, and chicken alternatives. A selection of …

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impact_Impossible Foods

© Impossible Foods

Impossible Foods Takes Out One Inch Ad in NY Times to Highlight “Tiny” Impact on Planet

For this year’s Earth Day, Impossible Foods reveals it is launching a new social media campaign spotlighting the “tiny” carbon footprint of its products. Created to help consumers connect their food choices to the size of their environmental footprint, the campaign will include videos of miniature food and kitchens, as well as a small 1” x 1” ad space in The New York Times. According to Impossible, its campaign seeks to help consumers grasp Impossible’s positive impact on the planet, especially the lower carbon footprint of its burgers compared to conventional beef. Impossible says it worked with Deloitte Digital and other creators to produce fun and engaging content, which will run on the company’s social media channels. The spots include “teaser” videos of tiny hands …

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Climate Change Sign No Planet B

© ink drop - stock.adobe.com

UK Government’s Net Zero Plan is Missed Opportunity to Make the UK a World Leader in Sustainable Proteins

The UK government today unveiled a new net zero plan which it was forced to draw up after its existing plans were deemed completely insufficient in terms of meeting climate goals by 2050. The newly compiled plan is again criticised by environmental groups as a missed opportunity failing to address the vital role of sustainable foods. Surveys consistently reveal that UK consumers are interested in alternative proteins and are compelled to purchase foods that are less detrimental to the planet. A ProVeg survey from just last month found that 59% of the British public would like meat and dairy alternatives to be subsidised by the government to make them more affordable. Biodiversity loss Another recent study revealed that a focus on alternative proteins could halt …

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WhatIf Foods noodles

© WhatIf Foods

WhatIF Foods Brings Regenerative BAMnut-Based Noodles and BAMnut Milk to NYC

Operating in Singapore and the USA, WhatIF Foods, describing itself as a planet-positive and regenerative food brand, is to launch its portfolio of sustainable food and beverages in New York, following its appearance at Natural Products Expo West. The brand, which says its use of regenerative crops is key to its message, has launched its products in over 130 retailers across the city, championing the use of the BAMnut, an “underused, yet nutritionally dense legume that has the ability to restore soil health, has been central to the success of their mission to improve the environment and combat climate change”, according to WhatIf Foods. WhatIF’s noodles, containing 17g of protein and available in 4 flavors, are created with the regenerative Bambara groundnut, a legume that …

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brewbee-team-innovation

Yves Habermacher, Johannes Lenz & Simon Haas, © brewbee

Switzerland’s First Upcycled Food Brand brewbee Rolls Out into Coop Stores

Food upcycling instead of food waste: brewbee wants to conquer the Swiss market with its sustainable foods created with spent grain from the beer industry. Coop will now carry the brand’s muesli, pizzas, potato chips, and meat alternatives, throughout Switzerland. The startup transforms the byproducts of traditional beer brewing into high-quality foods. Spent grain, brewer’s yeast, soft beer and pithy secondary wort are processed in Appenzell into “Tschipps,” pizza, muesli and “Gschnetzlets.” These sustainably produced foods are now available at Coop stores across Switzerland. As yet, it is barely known what can be possible with beer brewery by-products. “Brewer’s grains contain more protein and fiber than other raw materials – you feel full faster and, above all, longer,” emphasizes Simon Haas, food technologist and product …

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Evoco plant based materials

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EVOCO, Partner to Vans & Timberland, Raises CAD $12M for Plant-Based Materials

Canadian plant-based materials producer EVOCO has secured CAD $12 million in a Series B funding round led by Circular Innovation Fund. EVOCO aims to develop high-performance, low-impact materials intended to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The company’s flagship product is a patented foam called FATES, which is 80% plant-based. Existing investor The Stuart Group and new investor Export Development Canada participated in the round. The material aims to replace conventional PU foam, which produces significant emissions, can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, and is difficult to recycle. The technology is said to reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%. While FATES can be adapted to multiple applications, EVOCO is initially focusing on footwear, partnering with brands such as Vans, Keen, and Timberland. The foam …

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Zero Acre Healthy Plant-Based Oil

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Chipotle Makes Investment in Cultured Oil Innovator Zero Acre Farms

Fast casual chain Chipotle Mexican Grill announces it is investing in cultured oil startup Zero Acre Farms through its venture fund, Cultivate Next. The investment, made for an undisclosed sum, is part of a series of initiatives Chipotle is taking to help it further its socially responsible mission and meet ESG goals.  Zero Acre Farms is a company focused on ending the food industry’s dependence on vegetable oils by offering healthier, more sustainable oils and fats. According to Chipotle, the world’s vast production of vegetable oils every year contributes heavily to global deforestation and carbon emissions. Zero Acres says it has created a new category of healthier, cultured oils using environmentally-friendly fermentation techniques.  Market debut In July 2022, Zero Acre launched its first commercial product …

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Grounded People Shoes

©Grounded People

Grounded People Launches São Paulo Shoe Collection Made From Recycled Car Tires

Canadian fashion brand Grounded People (CNSX: SHOE)  announces its new unisex São Paulo collection is launching to customers throughout the US and Canada.  Named in recognition of São Paulo, Brazil – the state in which the shoes are manufactured – the collection is crafted from recycled materials and features high-top and low-cut styles in black and khaki colors. As part of the brand’s dedication to sustainability, the Collection features shoes with extra-durable outsoles made from used car tires (black) or volcanized natural rubber (khaki) to provide improved comfort and traction. The shoes also offer all-metal D hooks to provide reliability when lacing up and 100% recycled cotton, Grounded People says. Prices start at US $219, and the shoes are backed by the brand’s “industry-disrupting” five-year warranty …

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microbial protein Formo cheese gratin

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Food Tech Leaders Launch Food Fermentation Europe to Bring Sustainable Animal-Free Foods to EU Market

A group of leading players in precision fermentation announce they have come together to form Food Fermentation Europe (FFE), a new alliance working to create a more resilient and sustainable food system in Europe. Representing the region’s fermentation food and food ingredient sector, along with its surrounding ecosystem, FFE says it will work with regulators to bring more sustainable animal-free foods to the European market.  FFE’s founding members include Better Dairy, Formo, Imagindairy, Onego Bio and Those Vegan Cowboys. The group says its members are united in the pursuit to improve current unsustainable food systems and have three primary objectives:  To raise awareness and build a supportive, forward-looking policy framework for fermentation food and food ingredients in Europe. To advocate for a predictable, non-discriminatory and …

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Siita - one of the world's first zero-waste companies

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Korean Vegan Skincare Brand Siita Named One of the World’s First Zero-Waste Companies

UN-hosted online platform The Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network has recognised South Korea’s Siita as one of the only zero-waste companies in the world. In particular, the brand has been hailed for developing a method that rapidly decomposes plastic product containers. Siita’s empty containers are collected by the company and transformed into organic compost, which is then supplied to nearby farms. The process is said to be quicker and cheaper than other methods of breaking down plastics, taking just three months. In comparison, plastics can take hundreds of years to break down in landfill. “Siita is the only company in the world that decomposes products made of plastic. All Siita products are fully decomposed and return to nature,” said The Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network. …

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Plant-Based Fried Shrimp

©The ISH Company

The ISH Company and Dot Foods Enter Agreement to Bring Plant-Based Shrimp to US Food Service

Plant-based seafood company The ISH Company announces it has entered a strategic, non-exclusive distribution agreement with Dot Foods, the largest food industry redistributor in North America. ISH states the agreement will enable it to expand distribution across the continental US and provide food greater service access to its seafood alternatives, such as Shrimpish.  According to ISH, its products are currently available in select restaurants and campus dining halls, including at Harvard and Amherst. Through Dot Foods’ distribution ecosystem, ISH will increase availability of these products, providing food service companies nationwide with more healthy and sustainable seafood options. “Making strides” “At ISH, we’re on a mission to put plant-based seafood on plates worldwide, empowering people to make choices that are healthier for their body, but also …

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Vegan Plastic-Free Topcoats

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Von Holzhausen Launches First 100% Plant-Based Topcoat to Replace Plastic Finishes in Alt-Leather

Sustainable materials brand von Holzhausen announces the introduction of Liquidplant™, a 100% plant-based and plastic-free topcoat to replace petroleum-based polyurethane. Under development for 2.5 years, LiquidPlant is described as a first-of-its-kind innovation that can replace plastic topcoats in a wide range of materials, including traditional and synthetic leather, paper, wood, plastic and fabric. A global problem According to the brand, both the animal and synthetic leather industries rely on plastic topcoats for a durable and long-lasting finish. However, petroleum-based topcoats – which represent a $1 trillion global industry – pollute landfills, take centuries to break down and release harmful microplastics into the environment.  Made from corn sugar, castor oil and flaxseed oil, LiquidPlant is said to offer a fully plant-based, durable topcoat technology. The product …

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