Alisa Knapp

https://lnkd.in/guWHQbA6 - Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) has introduced what would be a paradigm-shifting legislative package intended to improve the dietary health of Americans by banning high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and certain color additives in foods produced in the U.S. The legislative package includes two distinct acts: the Stop Spoonfuls of Fake Sugar Act and the Do or Dye Act. The Do or Dye Act targets toxic food dyes like Red No. 40 and Yellow Nos. 5 and 6. There is already mounting pressure to place further scrutiny on these chemicals, some of which have been restricted in the EU and elsewhere. The primary focus of the Stop Spoonfuls of Fake Sugar Act is to restrict the use of HFCS, which is often alleged to promote obesity and other chronic health issues. Does this go to far in the fight against #addedsugar - or not far enough?

3

1 Comment

They are saying this: "...potential conflict of interest due to KSUO's funding from industry partners. PFI warned that this could lead to perceptions of bias, which might undermine the credibility of ingredient reviews." Wait... isn't the PFI loaded with "industry partners" - such as pet food and animal feed ingredients? Consider their proposed PURR Act. Is it surprising when they comment, "The institute emphasized the need for a consistent standard of safety and scientific rigor, similar to the FDA's current practices." It's because their goal is to federalize the ingredient approval process. #petfoodinstitute #petfoodindustry #aafco

1

 Preserving Family Farming in Sonoma County: The Measure J Debate As food industry professionals, you’re likely aware of the critical role family farms play in our communities. Today, I want to shed light on an important issue centered in Sonoma County, California. Measure J, which will appear on the November ballot, aims to make Sonoma County the first in the nation to outlaw so-called factory farming. While the initiative frames itself as a step toward better animal welfare, it has far-reaching implications. 1.     Economic Impact: Measure J threatens economically viable family farming. By restricting Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), it could make egg and milk production unaffordable for local farmers. These operations are essential for meeting consumer demand while maintaining ethical standards. 2.     Weather Considerations: Measure J limits farms to moving animals fromopen fields to covered structures to a maximum of 45 days per year. Sonoma County experiences rainy winters, albeit not as much as Seattle or Portland. Ranchers move cattle indoors during inclement weather to ensure their comfort and health. Keeping cattle inside also prevents runoff into rivers and minimizes land damage caused by muddy fields. 3.     Local Agriculture: Having moved to Santa Rosa three years ago, I fell in love with our local agriculture scene—dairy, eggs, and wine, though possibly not in that order. Sonoma County farmers and ranchers lead the way in animal husbandry. Sonoma County egg producers were following cage-free practices before the rest of the country even heard about cage free.   4.     National Implications: Measure J’s impact extends beyond our county borders. The deep pockets behind this activist campaign are starting in Sonoma County but will push into other areas with positive signals. 5.     Take Action: Visit NoOnMeasureJ.com to learn more and sign your name in support of the “No on Measure J” effort. Talk to your company management about this issue—it’s not just about Sonoma County; it’s about preserving family farming nationwide. Let’s stand together to protect our agricultural heritage. 🌾🐄🥚

12

1 Comment

It's August, do you have your plan to beat your 2024 fundraising goals? To my #foodrescue #foodwaste #nutrition #foodaccess #soilhealth #regenag #nonprofit colleagues: Reduce the stress and headache of the end-of-year fundraising scramble and join me for the fall cohort of the climate messaging mastery course. This unique 5-week program is designed to empower food-focused nonprofit and fundraising teams with the essential skills and resources to meaningfully connect with climate-focused donors, thereby increasing their impact on our food system and beyond. During the course, you and your team get: 💥 1:1 strategy sessions 📑 a customized funder prospect list 🔎 tons of resources and information to help you reach your fundraising goals 🚀 small group conversations with some very special guests from the funder world I hope to welcome you or relevant colleagues in September. If you have any questions, need additional information before signing up, or financial support, don’t hesitate to reach out. Learn more about the program and enroll here: https://lnkd.in/gjRZdf88 If you need more convincing, check out Jonathan Foley and Project Drawdown: https://lnkd.in/g82_abMF Littlefoot Ventures Eva Goulbourne #climateaction #foodsystemstransformation #philanthropy #climatephilanthropy

3

2 Comments

Look Ma, we made it to Sprouts Farmers Market ! 🥂 3 flavors are landing in 30+ select locations in Southern California as part of Sprouts’ Innovation Table and we are thrilled! Big shoutout to the team at Pod Foods for including EATABLE INC. in their Box of Innovation which was instrumental in having us be part of this launch alongside other fab CPG brands. As much as we’re celebrating today, I also wanted to take a second to call out (esp to my non-CPG friends who may not realize this)… The road to mass grocery and retail is HARD AF. 😅 It has always been a dream of Vincent Li and I as founders to see EATABLE popcorn on the shelves of major grocery stores. But truth be told, this journey to bridge EATABLE’s brand identity from a premium gift/department store brand to mass grocery brand has been chock full of headwinds. We’ve pivoted countless times over the last 2 years to tweak: - Pricing (one of the BIGGEST hurdles for emerging brands) - Pack size - Pack design and branding - Distribution model - Logistics and supply chain - Channel strategy - Trade marketing support strategy - Balancing a lean marketing budget between online and offline to drive sellthrough and velocity Getting on shelf is an important first step, but there’s lots of heavy lifting to be done to ensure we sell OFF the shelf too! 🛒 Our journey has been full of small tests, lots of failures and rejection along the way, which have resulted in a TON of learnings (for future posts!) In the meantime, if you or someone you know is in SoCal - Please shop EATABLE INC. at your local Sprouts and grab a bag of popcorn that will POP a party in your mouth, and start conversations at your next gathering! How we perform in these next 90 days at their Innovation Table will determine whether we get to stay on the shelves for the long haul! 🥳 Any CPG friends who have experience selling into Sprouts I’d love to connect and learn from you! And if you happen to see us in store, help a girl out and send a quick photo or “shelfie” with EATABLE - it’ll make my day in more ways than you know! 🍿+🥂 #EATABLE #CPGbusiness #CPGfounder #foodstartup #RetailLaunch #Sprouts #SoCal

71

26 Comments

Since my talk at IFT, I've been seeing ashwaganda EVERYWHERE, even more so than what I did before. Could it be the next ingredient in our longevity toolkit? This article says yes! Review reveals benefits of ashwagandha on 'inflammaging' https://buff.ly/4c8V97E

13

1 Comment

"For years, industry stakeholders like the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) have warned of a “price crisis” in #coffee. Since 2019, the SCA’s Price Crisis Response Initiative has sought to address the disparity between producer costs and market #prices. Now that that prices finally are up, it remains to be seen how the industry –and long-term advocates for higher prices – will react when faced with challenging supply chain-wide realities. " - Coffee Intelligence Sarah Charles speaks with Albert Scalla, Senir Vice President of Trading at StoneX Group Inc., and Thiago Marques Cazarini, Owner of Cazarini Trading Company who share key industry insights on the recent coffee prices surge and the impacts these will have across the value chain from producers to consumers. https://lnkd.in/eSTYdsE4

37

The MANY Leafy Green outbreaks in the early 2000 provided my team the passion and innovation to launch Azzule under PrimusLabs. Since then, there have still been countless outbreaks causing significant injuries, deaths, and a massive economic cost to consumers. This study shows that leafy greens are by far the most consistent, largest, food safety offender. It shows in great detail the numbers of outbreaks and the economic hit to the USA. We can’t go another quarter century poisoning Americans who want a salad. How do we use studies like this to change the industry to minimize food borne illness? I would love to hear any and all ideas, no matter how simple, complex, crazy, and/or controversial? Thoughts?

5

9 Comments

From cottage cheese to whole milk, find out why dairy foods are back in the spotlight and here to stay in this new article written by Dairy Council of CA CEO Amy DeLisio. #CAdairy #SustainableEating #NutritionScience

2

Did you see our feature in the Sacramento Business Journal? We are sharing how Exceedient Foods, the innovation arm of Farmers' Rice Cooperative, is revolutionizing the food industry with single-source gluten-free ingredient solutions. 🌾✨ Dive into the full article to explore our commitment to shaping a future of delicious and sustainable food:https://lnkd.in/gkUarX24

39

Rethinking Agriculture-Food Systems: Redesigning for Innovation Agriculture, the bedrock of civilization, is reaching a critical juncture. As we grapple with the limitations imposed by its annual crop cycle, the urgency to accelerate innovation has never been clearer. But how do we foster the conditions for innovation to flourish in an industry tied to the rhythms of nature? The truth is, we're not merely facing technical challenges; we're confronting the natural hurdles of biological limits as well as the slow pace of change inherent in an annual cycle. And here's the crux: we don't need to fix agriculture; we need to reimagine it. What if we approached agriculture not as a static system to be repaired, but as a dynamic process to be continually redesigned? What if our focus shifted from patching problems to consistently enhancing performance, always striving to make things better? (Btw, that is exactly how farmers think about it). This is where true innovation lies: not in grand gestures or sweeping revolutions, but in the relentless pursuit of improvement, iteration by iteration. The future of agriculture hinges on our ability to embrace change, to adapt, and to innovate continuously. Yet, amid the clamor of words and promises, action is what truly matters. It's not enough to talk about change; we must actively drive it forward. In this pursuit, organizations like Purdue DIAL Ventures stand out, leading the charge in helping people understand what innovation in AGRI-FOOD truly means. DIAL (Digital Innovation in Agrifood systems Lab) recognizes that innovation isn't just about flashy technologies or buzzwords; it's about creating tangible solutions that address real-world challenges. Through its unique venture studio model, DIAL convenes agrifood industry stakeholders, conducts research, builds solutions concepts, and launches advantaged digital startup companies designed to make an immediate impact in the marketplace. DIAL is ahead of the curve, championing a vision of agrifood that is not only productive but also sustainable, resilient, and equitable. DIAL understands that innovation isn't a destination but a journey, one that requires constant learning, adaptation, and collaboration. Innovation at Purdue DIAL Ventures is not an abstract concept, but rather a guiding principle driving us to redesign the agrifood system so that it works better for everyone. Join the DIAL ecosystem, and let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work: https://lnkd.in/gbhggz9G.

21

1 Comment

The orange 🍊 crisis continues unabated as climate-driven extreme weather, citrus greening disease and political instability in key orange-growing regions have severely disrupted supply chains and driven up prices to unprecedented levels. In an exclusive interview with Food Ingredients First, Kerry's Erlon Pereira dives into the perfect storm of challenges facing the orange 🍊 (and wider juice ) industries, as well as difficulties in the citrus 🍋 🍊 flavors sector. Supply chain constraints due to heatwaves, drought and citrus greening disease — an incurable bacterial infection that causes bitter, stunted fruit and kills trees within a few years — have led to soaring prices 💵 💲, up by more than 20% in a year. This price increase continues to create significant challenges for companies in the F&B industry while harvests are at a low. Meanwhile, the surge in prices 💰is forcing manufacturers and consumers to adapt, considering alternative fruit juices like pear, apple 🍎 🍏 and grape 🍇 to mitigate costs and supply chain disruptions. How can the team at Kerry help? The Kerry team has been working with beverage manufacturers for quite some time to help address the challenges they are facing with the citrus commodity market. Depending on the product application, whether it be a juice, soft drink or an alcoholic drink, Kerry has a comprehensive toolkit available that our applications teams can use to help our customers reduce their reliance on citrus commodities or truly reinvent their product with innovative consumer-focused concepts. Please do read the full article on the link below to find put more, and please do get in touch with the beverages team at Kerry, we are here to help. #beverages #orangejuice #taste #cirtus #orangejuicecrisis #Kerry #orange Thomas Hahlin Ahlinder John Savage Leigh-Anne Vaughan Sheelagh Pentony Samantha Fagundes de Toledo Marc LEJEUNE Farrah Gilsenan Breda Kelly Tiphaine BEAU Carol Dunne Gwyneth Kelly Michelle Osagie Gilles Halotel Michel Aubanel Sergio Saavedra Rodríguez Ian Chesworth Birgit Schaaf Aoife Mc Donald Elaine Druhan Erika Minaguchi Magdalena Edyta Przewoźnik Barbara Lezzer John Craven Mark Gallo Francois Sonneville Stephen Rannekleiv Bourcard Nesin Jim Watson Ton Mesters Sean Ging Sinéad Smith David Deeley Brian Short Kerry: Reducing reliance on citrus commodities as orange crisis continues to bite (foodingredientsfirst.com)

46

Biodiversity in the canned seafood category matters: Reknowned for its' lopsided revenue between Tuna and Non-Tuna products the canned seafood category is separated into two areas of measurement by AC Neilsen, IRI, and other reporting tools. This goes against every sustainability brief where marine bio-diversity relies on a system as a whole and species diversification as a core concept. BELA Brand Seafood is proud to offer a revenue model that supports Marine Biodiversity. Sardines Being our # 1 offering, followed by Mackerel then Tuna and finally Codfish. We don't just claim sustainability, we mimic it. https://lnkd.in/egMUNYV2. #BELAmeansBeautiful #FamilyOwned #VeteranOwned #CPG #Earthday2024 #EarthdayisEveryday

21

10 Comments

FOOD SAFETY CULTURE NUDGE OF THE WEEK: Go Vote Okay, let's talk about something that might not seem related at first: voting and food safety. I should have sent this out this morning, but bear with me, this is going to get interesting, and I hope to get it sent out in time for everyone to get to the polls if you haven’t already. Picture this: You're standing in the grocery store, a basket full of fresh produce in your hand. You're about to grab a bag of spinach when a thought crosses your mind, "Is this safe to eat?" That's a valid question, and it's one that millions of people ask every day. Now, here's the twist: the answer to that question isn't just determined by farmers and food processors. It's also influenced by the people we elect to office. National, state, and local governments play a crucial role in ensuring our food is safe. They set regulations for food production, processing, and transportation. They inspect facilities, test for contaminants, and enforce food safety standards. They also fund research to develop new technologies and methods for keeping our food safe. When you vote, you're not just choosing a leader; you're choosing someone who will shape the policies that impact your daily life, including the food you eat. By voting for candidates who prioritize food safety, you're helping to ensure that the food on your plate is clean, wholesome, and safe. So, if you are headed to the ballot box (or next time), remember that your vote can help keep foodborne illnesses at bay. It's a small act with a big impact. And who knows, maybe your vote could be the one that prevents the next foodborne illness outbreak. After all, a safe food supply is something we can all agree on, no matter our political affiliation. So, let's all do our part to make it happen. And remember, the next time you're enjoying a delicious meal, thank your friendly neighborhood voter!

10

Upcycled food was one of the 3 Key Takeaways from IFT FIRST 2023. I'll be attending Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) IFT FIRST Event and Expo next week. What is upcycled food? The Upcycled Food Association defines upcycling as “Upcycled foods use ingredients that otherwise would not have gone to human consumption, are procured and produced using verifiable supply chains, and have a positive impact on the environment.” Upcycled foods use the surplus ingredients or byproducts from the food manufacturing process that are typically thrown away to make new food and beverage products. At IFT FIRST 2023, The Kawa Project highlighted its Kawa Cocoa Extender as an upcycled alternative to cocoa powder. Renewal Mill introduced RenewALL 100% Upcycled Total Flour Replacement combines its individual upcycled ingredients – food manufacturing byproducts okara (soy bean pulp), oat milk pulp, and corn fines – into a proprietary flour blend. Check out the 3 Key Takeaways from IFT FIRST in my article for The Food Institute: https://lnkd.in/gtVb65Ei #IFTFIRST #FoodScience #FoodInnovation #FoodTechnology #Upcycling

5

Starting to see more studies looking at quality and safety of meat/dairy alternatives and hazards to consider

6

2 Comments

Unlocking new opportunities for struggling U.S. dairy farmers: repurposing meat from mature dairy cows into premium steaks. 🐄🥩 This shift towards pasture-raised beef presents a lucrative avenue for farmers and a sustainable option for consumers.  Learn more about this industry transformation.  #DairyFarming #Sustainability #FutureOfFood 

1