Miyoko Schinner portrait

Miyoko Schinner, Image credit Megan Thompson

Society

Miyoko Schinner Becomes Co-Instructor at UC Berkeley’s Plant Futures Challenge Lab

UC Berkeley’s Plant Futures Challenge Lab has announced that pioneering plant-based entrepreneur Miyoko Schinner will join as a co-instructor for the upcoming fall semester. Launched in 2021 by then-students Brittany Sartor and Samantha Derrick, the Plant Futures Challenge Lab runs a course every spring and fall for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students across various disciplines. The aim is to make connections between academia and the plant-based sector. In the coming semester, Schinner will teach alongside Sartor, who is the Program Director. Described as “a vital platform for the plant-based food and agricultural sector”, The Plant Futures Challenge Lab has partnerships with notable plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-based companies, including Beyond Meat, Daiya, Upside Foods, Meati, and Bond Pet Foods. Additionally, the initiative works with nonprofits such …

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Miyoko Schinner portrait

Miyoko Schinner, Image credit Megan Thompson

Opinion

Op Ed: Miyoko Schinner – What Can We Learn from the Mistakes of McDonald’s?

Miyoko Schinner is one of those figures so prominent that they need little introduction, especially in this forum. Making waves in veganism for decades, both inside and outside of Miyoko’s Creamery, Miyoko has been instrumental in revolutionizing the dairy alternatives sector, and has authored several cookbooks, notably “Artisan Vegan Cheese,” which played a crucial role in changing perceptions about plant-based cheese. After a difficult week at the end of a difficult year in the plant-based industry, during which we have witnessed yet another company enter administration, Miyoko says it’s time to ask some questions and learn some lessons. The Arch Deluxe, or what can we learn from the mistakes of McDonald’s? by Miyoko Schinner Back in the 1990s, McDonald’s tried to overhaul its image as …

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World Vegan Day

Image: vegconomist

People

Messages From Vegan Business Leaders on World Vegan Day, Part 2

In this second installment, we feature messages from prominent figures in the plant-based space who each have valuable insights to share, featuring vegan cheese legend Miyoko Schinner; bee-free honey pioneer Darko Mandich of Melibio; Canadian Waygu beef leader Blair Bullus of Wamame Foods; and vegan business expert Elysabeth Alfano of VegTech Invest. We asked: as we approach the end of what has been a turbulent year for many in the business, what is your message for the plant-based industry as we look ahead to 2024? Miyoko Schinner: “Celebrate compassion” Yes, it’s been a rough year for the industry of “alt-protein,” but does that necessarily mean it’s been rough for the advancement of veganism? The question we must ask as vegans is actually what is our …

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Vegan Women Summit 2022

©VWS

Fairs & Events

Vegan Women Summit 2023 Returning to NYC with 100 Speakers, Brands and Mayor Eric Adams

The Vegan Women Summit (VWS) announces its return to New York City on May 18, 2023 for an all-new, 3 day experience. The annual summit, which is open to all genders, will feature its largest-yet gathering with over 100 speakers and brand activations from across the worlds of food, fashion and beauty, along with networking and professional development experiences. This year, the summit is being welcomed by NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who will host an exclusive VIP reception at the Mayor’s Mansion.  Co-hosted by founder Jennifer Stojkovic and Conference Chair Miyoko Schinner, the Summit will be held at iconic event space 99 Scott in Brooklyn. After selling out in 2022, VWS says this year’s gathering is expanding to offer even more speakers, panelists and events, …

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Miyoko Schinner

©Miyoko's Creamery

People

Miyoko Schinner Responds to News That She Has Left Active Role at Miyoko’s Creamery

Miyoko Schinner, founder of alt dairy brand Miyoko’s Creamery, has responded to a press release announcing that she has departed the company. Published on February 16, the release stated that Schinner had exited as CEO and was “no longer involved in day-to-day operations”. The company said CFO Jon Blair would act as interim president until the search for a new “highly qualified, passionate, and mission-driven leader” was complete. “Looking towards the future and exponential growth of the company, we are excited to continue and expand upon our brand mission and uphold our certified B Corporation of innovating products that only contain plant ingredients that are better for human health. We also plan to make our current portfolio of products more available and to innovate products …

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Miyoko Schinner

©Miyoko's Creamery

Investments & Finance

Miyoko’s Creamery Raises Additional $7M in Equity Funding to Aid Expansion

Dairy-free innovator Miyoko’s Creamery has raised an additional $7M in equity funding, reports Biz Journals. The announcement is based on May 24 company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  A series of successes The fund amount of $6,999,990 was raised from undisclosed investors and would bring Miyoko’s total fundraising to date to $78.6M.  According to Intelligence 360, founder and CEO Miyoko Schinner was significantly involved in the investment, and the money will help the plant-based company as it continues to “aggressively” expand and increase product development.  The investment is the company’s first since last year’s massive $52M Series C round, which the brand used toward launching its groundbreaking liquid mozzarella and accelerating R&D. In 2021, Miyoko also won a landmark legal victory granting …

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Jennifer Stojkovic - VWS

©VWS/ Shan Hasan

Society

Jennifer Stojkovic Launches First Book on Women in Food Tech: “The Future of Food is Female”

Jennifer Stojkovic, executive leader and founder of the Vegan Women Summit, announces the launch and tour of her new book, “The Future of Food is Female – Reinventing the Food System to Save the Planet.” The book is said to be the first to highlight the role of women CEOs, venture capitalists, scientists and entrepreneurs in the modern food tech industry.  Available April 5th in print and ebook versions, the book can be purchased worldwide through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other booksellers.  “The Future of Food” features a collection of insightful stories from 15 women leaders in animal-free food tech, including Heather Mills, Miyoko Schinner (Miyoko’s Creamery CEO), Suzy Amis Cameron (Author and investor), Pinky Cole (Slutty Vegan CEO), among many more.  Women changing …

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Frankie & Jo's Ice Cream Miyoko's

©Frankie & Jo's Ice Cream

Products & Launches

Seattle Ice Cream Brand Frankie & Jo’s Partners with Miyoko’s Creamery for Plant-Based Scoop

In partnership with Miyoko’s Creamery, Seattle-based ice cream brand Frankie & Jo’s has launched a new vegan ice cream flavor. Miyoko’s Butter Toffee & Chocolate ice cream features creamy caramel and bite-sized butter toffee bars, made with Miyoko’s cultured vegan butter, that are dipped in rich dark chocolate.  “Miyoko’s creamery is transforming the animal-free future of dairy and shares our vision of reducing our dependence on animals for our food, our traditions, and our daily lives” Like all its plant-based flavors, the ice cream is available to ship across the US as well as being available in Frankie & Jo’s Seattle-based shops. The ice cream specialist is encouraging customers to use the code “PLANTMAGIC” on Miyoko’s site to get 10% off orders for the month …

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David Verburg Miyoko's Creamery

David Verburg ©Miyoko's Creamery

Society

Miyoko’s Creamery Going for Plant-Based Gold with Olympic Athletes Including Game Changers’ Star

With the Tokyo Olympic Games beginning this week, plant-based cheese producer Miyoko’s Creamery is teaming up with five celebrated and decorated vegan athletes. As part of its Cheese of Champs program, the former Team USA medalists will help promote a healthy, plant-based lifestyle. After recently launching its Cheddar Sticks, the vegan dairy food company founded by activist and chef Miyoko Schinner has announced the Cheese of Champs partnership with five accomplished plant-based champions: David Verburg, track and field gold medalist Rachael Adams, volleyball bronze medalist Heather Mitts, soccer three-time gold medalist Dustin Watten, volleyball bronze medalist Dotsie Bausch, cycling silver medalist In partnering with them, the company says that it aims to awaken and champion the activist inside all of us. One of the athletes, …

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Logo von Miyoko's Kitchen – die vegane Käserei

© Miyoko Schinner

Food & Beverage

Vegan Cheese from Miyoko’s Kitchen Enjoys High Popularity

The global dairy cheese industry is estimated to be worth $120 billion, but vegan alternatives to dairy cheese are expanding rapidly. According to a study by Variant, growth is expected to average 7.4 percent per year. The vegan cheese brand “Miyoko’s Kitchen” is profiting from this development, and is already recording strong growth.

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