Max La Manna

This talk about the future of food, the idea of a no farms future, the centralisation of power in food when considering pab grown proteins and more is well worth a listen.

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How many times have I used Pythagoras’ theorem since Maths GCSE? It's 𝘢² + 𝘣² = 𝘤² by the way. But yes I had to google that. I had to google it because i've used it 0 times since. In those 15 years though, though, I have probably chosen what to eat about 16,000 times. And while Pythagoras might theoretically help a few people get a job coding at Google, what we choose to eat impacts ALL OF US: our health 🩺, the planet 🌍, the economy 💷, our farmers 🚜, AND food security 🍲. Have a look at a few challenges we're facing below: 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from our global food system. 11 million deaths per year globally are linked to poor diet. Only 3% of British farmers are under 35 - yet WE NEED more young farmers. 72% of young people (aged 16-24) adint they "know very little or nothing" about farming. We teach problem-solving in schools, but imagine if, instead of memorising formulas we’ll rarely use, kids learned how their food choices impact them and the world around them? There's a new petition pushing to include food, farming, and sustainability education in the school curriculum. IT'S JUST WHAT WE NEED. If you agree - add your name here 👉https://lnkd.in/eV-FMmVb.

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Dan Sparshatt of Golden Acre Foods | B Corp talks to Food Manufacture about the evolution of the UK's World Foods category in this exclusive interview #worldfoods #foodtrends #ukfoodtrends

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We know that buying organic meat might be considered a luxury, however we think that it is important to address the gulf in the quality, nutritional value and animal welfare standards that exists between that intensively farmed chicken for under a fiver, and free range, organic chicken. Our strong belief is that there is no such thing as cheap meat. The true, hidden costs of intensive, industrial farming are felt by the health of animals, farmers, consumers and the environment, all of which suffer because of factory-style production. In an industry that churns out cheap meat, someone or something is always paying the price. We would advocate buying less meat so you can spend a little more, allowing you to instead focus on better quality meat that has been sustainably sourced. Trust us - you will taste the difference. Whilst buying free range is definitely superior to industrially farmed chicken, we believe that organic remains the best choice for the animal and the consumer - our animals have been reared at the speed nature intended, on totally chemical-free diets, and farmed in a system that boosts biodiversity, improving soil health along the way. #worldenvironmentday

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SALMON FARM STORM COULD LEAVE CULINARY STATUS SMOKED - The food and drink industry is worth billions of pounds to the Scottish economy each year, but are we at risk of unrecoverable reputational damage as our standards drop on key products? While there are strictly enforced rules and regulations around the production of iconic Scottish produce such as whisky, it seems the same can’t be said about one of the nation’s most revered foods. Salmon is experiencing a sad demise on supermarket shelves at the moment as the salmon farming industry comes under fire for both the standard of product and the lack of transparency surrounding its processes. It has been revealed that Scottish salmon sold in major stores, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Co-op, is quite literally crawling with sea lice. Research by Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland has shown that Scottish salmon has up to 20 times the acceptable levels of sea lice on it. Current guidelines state that each individual fish must have no more than one parasite on it. Once lauded the world over, the Scottish salmon is in danger of leaping off a cliff, and that can’t be good for our economy and national image. While the quality of the product is what slaps you in the face when doing the weekly shop, if you get beneath the skin of the salmon, you’ll likely find what many believe is the root cause of the problem. Farmed salmon is a controversial subject the world over and the industry is ramping up across Scotland, with hundreds of farms dotted along its coast, producing hundreds of thousands of tons of fish per year. As the population of wild salmon has declined, this innovation has been seen as a necessity for the industry to continue producing fish to meet the demand of outlets such as the big UK supermarkets. However, it doesn’t come without its critics and drawbacks. The farms can act as a breeding ground for diseases and pests such as sea lice, affecting both the health and the quality of the fish. The environment in which the fish are bred can impact the colour of its flesh and have a wider impact on the surrounding ecosystem in Scotland’s waters. Such has been the level of awareness raised around the issues that come with salmon farming, the Scottish salmon industry is making moves to remove the word ‘farmed’ from labelling. Understandably, this has been met with intense backlash from animal welfare campaigners and consumers alike. Salmon Scotland’s application to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to change the wording on packaging from “Scottish farmed salmon” to “Scottish salmon” being accepted has paved the way for producers to commence a campaign of greenwashing. This gives me great cause for concern, not only for the industry and Scotland’s food and drink sector as a whole, but for consumers. This small but significant change of... Link for the rest of the column - https://lnkd.in/eC7SGeYm

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I just made my first ever investment in another company! Mossgiel Organic Dairy This is how my first investment came about: I was asked by my good pal Gregor Hollerin if I’d be interested in doing a funny parody house walk though for a farm.. there was also talk of a montage, of course I was keen! Having seen Mossgiel’s branded glass bottles in some of the best coffee outlets in Glasgow I though it was maybe a bit pretentious. I was very wrong, the farm is incredibly charming, efficiently run and beautifully bootstrapped - like many purpose driven ventures with big ambitions. It was meeting the owner Bryce Cunningham that captured my interest. Without being crass, he’s the James Watt of milk! He’s taking on a monstrous industry, that doesn’t care about the end product or where it comes from, instead he’s dived into the science to create something new (which is actually some old) - real proper MILK! ✅ The calfs stay with their mums ✅ The cows eat a spectrum of herbs and grasses ✅ He’s invented a sustainable fertiliser ✅ He’s engineering his own machines to make efficiencies ✅ He bloody loves his cows! Definitely check it out, it’s a force for good and we all need to eat more whole foods! https://lnkd.in/eatJ_hhv Crowdcube Story Shop #investor #investment #crowdfunding #crowdfund #investmentopportunity #organic #organicdairy

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🚨 NEW EPISODE of The Booking Club Podcast! Philosopher and author Julian Baggini and Jack Aldane sit down to lunch at BOX-E in Bristol to discuss its approach to sourcing, cooking and presenting food, and how this ties in with our need for a global food philosophy. #foodsystems #agriculture #supplychains #foodsecurity #wellbeing #cooking Listen to 📚 HOW THE WORLD EATS 📚NOW! Link in comments!

Did you know that as much as 40% of food produced globally goes to waste? Today is Stop Food Waste Day, so Kinga Ludwin asked Team Oddbox for their best food waste-fighting tips. Give them a try! #stopfoodwaste #oddboxldn #oddbox

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The shocking story of Neal's Yard Dairy being defrauded of over £300,000 worth of Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork Cheddar cheese is a cautionary tale for anyone in the food industry. This isn’t an isolated incident. The Food Standards Agency has warned of a rising trend in distribution fraud. Fraudsters impersonate reputable businesses, placing large orders with deferred payment terms. Once goods are collected, often by legitimate couriers, they disappear into an illicit supply chain — sometimes sold illegally or processed to obscure their origins. Businesses often only uncover the scam when they follow up on unpaid invoices. At Mezze, we’re committed to helping producers protect themselves from such risks, providing food businesses full visibility and control by centralising orders and enabling secure payment processes. Once Mezze is set up, all orders are processed through it, and we ensure card payments for new customers to mitigate these threats. Your products are your passion and livelihood — we’re here to help safeguard them. Let’s stay one step ahead of fraudsters. The Trethowan Brothers Tom Calver #FoodManufacturing #FoodSafety #NealsYardDairy #JamieOliver https://lnkd.in/eKm4z3am

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800 years of history is to be deleted by the City of London Corporation. Smithfield Meat Market (& Billingsgate Fish Market) are to be closed. Now, we will never be told the "real reason" why, but it has been openly said that "The closure of Smithfield Market ends over 800 years of trading meat in Central London as part of a wider trend to 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵" Personally, I think it's a very sad decision as there are many many family run businesses that have operated out of these establishments for centuries, who now face the very real reality of starting over somewhere new, with bigger overheads, increasing pressures and huge competition. Would Savile Row make way for council housing? Would Borough Market be closed if the right price was offered? Is there a price for everything nowadays? #Smithfield #Markets #Billingsgate #London #PriceToPay

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🌊🦪 Oysters are Booming in the UK – But Will Regulatory Hurdles Hold Them Back? The revival of oysters on British menus is exciting foodies and environmentalists alike. Nutritious, affordable, and beneficial to our ecosystems, oysters are having a moment. 🚧 Yet, as the industry sees a surge in demand, regulatory red tape threatens to stifle its growth. Producers face restrictions, like the need for triploid oysters to avoid reproduction risks, and struggle with the lack of UK hatcheries, putting future expansion at risk. Without clearer policies and more support for sustainable oyster farming, this boom may be short-lived. Read the article here - https://lnkd.in/eEepZ73J 💡As this debate continues, the Blue Food Innovation Summit (April 8-9, London) offers a critical platform to explore solutions. 🌍 We’re bringing together innovators and industry leaders to tackle challenges like these, aiming to unlock the full potential of blue food. 💼 Interested in being part of the conversation? 🌐Reach out to discuss partnership opportunities and showcase your solutions to a global audience - https://lnkd.in/enaP3DJq #BlueFoodSummit #OysterIndustry #SustainableSeafood #BlueEconomy #Partnerships #Innovation

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It's the last Tuesday of the month, so that means PODCAST TIME! This time round, Andy Shovel co-founder of THIS™ has the mic, as he tells us about his personal journey as an entrepreneur and his advice for others looking to climb the ladder. You can listen below via the website or wherever you usually get your podcasts #leadership #entrepreneur #business #foodpodcast

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What I have discovered since entering the shadowy world of pet food has left me both stunned and disgusted…a shocking story of utter corruption. I applied for my all natural dog food business Wild Pack to join UK Pet Food—the governing body for manufacturers and suppliers—and we were REJECTED. 😮 The reason for the rejection is quite unbelievable: earlier this year, over 40,000 of you joined me in signing a petition to ban harmful glycotoxins found in some ultra-processed kibble—chemicals linked to cancer, diabetes, and kidney failure in our beloved dogs. The regulator (we will call them the Kibble Cartel from now on) didn’t like that one bit. I have since uncovered that a handful of major corporations dominate 90% of global pet food sales, I’ve gathered evidence that they control everything from production to regulation. They've even established ties with some vets and regulators. 😤 some of them pay up to £2million a year to be a member of the racket called UK Pet Food. But here's the thing 🗣️ it is not that easy to silence 40,000 people who passionately care about the health of their dogs. 👉 Watch the full video to learn more about the Kibble Cartel and how we can fight for healthier pet food. 🖊️ PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION to remove hidden harmful glycotoxins from processed pet food. We need to stand up and be counted. Share this post far wide, tag in your friends and give a voice to our dogs who can't speak for themselves.

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Earlier this month it was reported that we had just experienced the wettest 18 months since records began and predictions of extreme weather across the UK this year will escalate a growing crisis on our farms. An unprecedented rainfall at the start of the year has already had a major effect on the lamb season and the story is similar for arable farms, where wheat crops are expected to plummet by a quarter due to flooding and soil saturation. We've been looking at ways that we can shop in a sustainable way, like shopping seasonally, eating less meat, choosing meat produced in an environmentally responsible manner and exploring less popular cuts that utilise the whole animal. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eeVZY5pq

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With a 70% increase of Fast Food outlets in my neighbourhood -This latest Bite Back article on the growth of fast food outlets throws up a number of challenges for the England Food Strategy . 💷🍟 Affordable Food :The rise of fast food on our high streets shows how affordability drives food choices, but it raises an important question: are there enough affordable, healthier alternatives available? It’s time to push for options that don’t compromise health for cost. What’s your take on balancing affordability and nutrition. ??? .... 🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️🍕Diet and Health : This report highlights a growing concern for our diets: the dominance of fast food on high streets. While convenient and tempting, are we sacrificing long-term health for short-term satisfaction? How can we create an environment where healthier choices are just as accessible and appealing ?? 👩🏽‍🤝‍👨🏼 👩🏽‍🍳Communities and the young : It’s concerning to see how the fast-food culture is shaping the eating habits of young people. As this report suggests, we need to invest in creating healthier food environments for our communities. What role do you think schools, local councils, and parents can play in this ??? 🌲🌳Urban planning and policy perspective :The proliferation of fast-food outlets isn’t just a health issue; it’s an urban planning and policy challenge. This report makes me wonder: how can local governments balance economic growth with promoting healthier high streets? Should there be stricter zoning for fast-food outlets ??? Bite Back #AccessibleNutrition #FastFoodCulture #HealthyCommunities #FoodPolicy #HealthyHighStreets #BiteBack2030

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The UK's world foods market saw a growth spurt of 7.7% in 2022. Dive into our exclusive chat with Golden Acre Foods | B Corp about the nation's evolving culinary diversity https://lnkd.in/eemYETHT #WorldFoodMarket #foodtrends #worldfoods #ukfoodtrends

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1 in 4 brits would eat lab-grown meat. Would you? Here are some interesting stats from a YouGov study published yesterday... 🍔 British men are much more willing to give lab-grown meat a try 🍔 Younger Brits are more up for trying it than oldies 🍔 10% of vegans are willing to try it 🍔 2 in 5 Brits say it should NOT be allowed for human consumption 🍔 But half of Brits say that pets should be allowed it 🍔 Only 3% say that lab-grown meat will taste better than real meat And here are some frankly weird stats from the study... 😳 🍗 13% of Brits think that we should cultivate crow meat 🍗 10% think that cultivated elephant and dolphin meat should be allowed 🍗 And 3% would like to try cultivated human meat - if this is you please own up... There is a link to the report in the comments below, but would love to hear your thoughts. PS I'm not really eating lab-grown meat in the photo...

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