Anna Robertson’s Post

Have you heard about the latest buzz in the world of food sustainability?  It's something that's quietly been making waves and, honestly, it's pretty cool. I'm talking about upcycled foods. Now, before you start picturing leftovers, let me clear things up. Upcycling in food isn't about using leftovers. It's about finding the hidden ingredients that we usually overlook, ignore, or, let's be real, waste. We're talking about the parts of food that are typically discarded but are actually packed with flavor and nutrients. But why should we care? Well, for starters, food waste is a huge problem. Globally, we waste about a third of all the food we produce. That's not just food going into the bin; it's also a waste of resources, labor, and love that went into growing that food. Upcycled foods offer a solution to this issue while also bringing some innovation and excitement to our plates. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: "But is it tasty?" And to that, I say, absolutely! Upcycled foods are not just about being sustainable; they're about being delicious too. Chefs and food innovators are getting super creative, combining flavors and textures in ways we haven't seen before. The best part? It's a win-win situation. We get to enjoy new, delicious foods while doing our bit for the planet. So, next time you come across a product that says it's made from upcycled ingredients, give it a try. You might just be surprised at how tasty sustainability can be. Would you like to try upcycling your food? #upcycledfood #foodindustry #trends

SCGP continues to advance sustainable food packaging innovations, aligning with the global trend of ensuring "food security." This trend prioritizes providing consumers with safe and healthy food that maintains nutritional value while also developing environmentally friendly packaging. By the year 2030, SCGP aims for 100% of its packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Ekaraj Niroj, Chief Operating Officer of Consumer and Performance Packaging Business and Enterprise Marketing Director at SCG Packaging Public Company Limited (SCGP), revealed that the company has consistently emphasized the development of "sustainable food packaging innovations." This initiative aims to achieve food security by ensuring access to safe and nutritious food. Simultaneously, it focuses on creating sustainability and environmental friendliness, aligning with global trends and meeting the needs of customers in the food and beverage industry. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/g4Zv8MCp

Upcycled food is a revolutionary concept that tackles the global issue of food waste while creating delicious and sustainable food options. It involves creatively transforming food scraps, byproducts, and ingredients that would otherwise be discarded into new and nutritious food products. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also promotes resource efficiency and innovation in the food industry. Examples of Upcycled Food: Fruit and vegetable peels: These peels, often rich in nutrients and fiber, can be transformed into various products like chips, flour, jams, or even teas. For instance, apple peels can be candied or dehydrated to create healthy snacks, while citrus peels can be zested and used to add flavor to dishes or cocktails. Spent coffee grounds: Used coffee grounds, instead of ending up in landfills, can be upcycled into nutrient-rich flour for baking, exfoliating scrubs, or even mushroom cultivation. Bread crusts: Stale bread crusts can be given a new lease on life by being toasted and used in croutons, breadcrumbs, or stuffing mixes. They can also be ground into flour for baking or used as a thickener in soups and stews. Brewery byproducts: Grains leftover from the brewing process can be upcycled into nutritious animal feed, snacks, or even flour for baking. Benefits of Upcycled Food: Reduces food waste: Upcycling significantly reduces the amount of food that ends up in landfills, thereby minimizing environmental impact and resource depletion. Promotes sustainability: By utilizing food scraps and byproducts, upcycling conserves resources and promotes sustainable food production practices. Enhances resource efficiency: Upcycling maximizes the utilization of food resources, minimizing waste and promoting efficient food systems. Boosts creativity and innovation: Upcycling encourages culinary creativity and innovation, leading to the development of new and exciting food products. Offers cost-effective solutions: Upcycled food can be a more affordable option compared to conventional food products, making nutritious food more accessible. Upcycled food presents a promising approach to addressing food waste, promoting sustainability, and fostering creativity in the food industry. By embracing upcycled food, we can contribute to a more sustainable and resource-efficient food system while enjoying delicious and nutritious meal. #snsinstitution #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking

THE GROWING TREND OF FOOD UPCYCLING Here is a bit of interesting news from the US regarding the growing trend of #UpcycledFood brands that’s taking off over there. Surplus food is diverted into #FoodManufacture, not unlike what we do here at #SugaRich, but this food is recycled into comestibles for the human food chain rather than the animal feed chain. It could be crisps made from leftover fruit pulp, surplus vegetables made into stew, plant based sweets and even carbon neutral pasta sauces. The variety is impressive, showing a really canny and creative use of #SurplusFood and reintroducing it to the market in more desirable form. In the US, this upcycled food market is growing steadily; currently there are 93 companies that are producing 480 different types of product from surplus food. The entire sector is estimated to be worth 97 billion U.S. dollars by 2031. It's no secret that America has an immense food waste problem that generates a lot more loss per capita than the UK. This enterprising sector that is diverting and repurposing food that would have otherwise been abandoned, has managed to save about 390,000 tons of food per annum for the last three years. It’s really encouraging to think that this amount is set to grow. While it’s not a cure-all for food waste in the US, it’s certainly contributing to #CircularEconomy practice, and triggering more thought in the domestic market about sourcing and saving food. To find out more about the US upcycling sector and the waves it’s making, read here: https://lnkd.in/ehdaiFVV  

We remain committed to making environmentally responsible choices at the Good Eating Company. By switching to oat milk as the default option, we're enhancing the taste experience and significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Every choice counts, and we're proud to make choices that benefit our guests and the environment. This initiative is made possible through our valued partnership with Greener by Default, enabling us to lead the way in the food service sector with impactful changes for our planet. Look at this insightful Vegconomist article to see how we're making impactful changes for our planet. https://lnkd.in/gFxxtTxB vegconomist - the vegan business magazine Greener by Default Katie Cantrell Claire Turner Renee McKeon April Word Mike Gillespie Don King Mark Spinelli melody miranda Alicia Jenish-Mc Carron

From Root to Tip: My Culinary Upcycling Journey As a chef who cherishes the earth's gifts, my kitchen is more than a cook space—it's where each ingredient has a tale, and waste has no place. Culinary upcycling is my way of life, transforming "scraps" into culinary delights that feed the soul. Join me on this flavorful journey and see how pioneers are revolutionizing sustainable food. The Essence of Upcycling in the Kitchen Envision a world where food waste is obsolete, and every harvest bit enriches our plates. This dream fuels my practice, turning carrot tops into pesto and watermelon rinds into pickles—a tribute to nature's abundance. Pioneers of the Upcycled Culinary Revolution ReGrained: These warriors excel in converting brewery grains into culinary treasures, inspiring my own kitchen innovations. PeelPioneers: They work wonders with orange peels, crafting fragrant oils and aromas, embodying my belief that every fruit part is precious. Nestlé: Their bold move to sweeten chocolate with cacao fruit pulp marks a step towards a sustainable confectionery industry. Matriark Foods: They're dear to me, transforming excess farm produce into meals for those in need, aligning with my view that food is a right. The Flavor of Change Culinary upcycling is a movement that urges us to see the unseen potential in food. It's a call to chefs, cooks, and foodies to create a sustainable, respectful, and loving food future. Join the Upcycled Culinary Adventure Embark on this journey of discovery and innovation. Let's embrace every part of our food and together, reduce food waste, one upcycled dish at a time. #CulinaryUpcycling #ZeroWasteKitchen #SustainableChef #RootToTipCooking #EcoFriendlyEating

What do people think about upcycled foods? When we consider the consumer or expectation is that they will love this messaging and it gives them a reason to buy the upcycled product over the another. But we see that actually consumers are not sure on this messaging and see upcycled as an inferior product which they should pay less for. Will Gen Z change this? An interesting survey from Whole Foods found 55% were willing to pay more for environmentally sustainable products. This means that our old excuses that its not worth the effort or no one will pay for sustainability seem to be running out. We need to adapt in order to gain favour with this generation. Upcycling, more sustainable ingredient sourcing, reduction of waste and using more whole ingredients must be a priority going forward! Contact us for a free consultation to explore how we can support you on this journey! We love to discuss making food more sustainable! https://lnkd.in/e94Y4dVy

Traceability and #sustainability are becoming essential in the food and beverage industry as consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, demand ethical and #environmentally friendly products. Practices like #upcycling, which repurposes byproducts into valuable ingredients, and sustainable sourcing are helping to build a more responsible food system. #Traceability systems enhance trust by verifying product quality, safety, and ethical production while supporting biodiversity and local communities. 

Food pouches are convenient for busy peeps and ideal for on-the-go snacking, but they raise significant environmental concerns due to the plastic packaging that often ends up in landfills. Here are a few ways to address these environmental issues: 1. Opt for Reusable Pouches One can invest in reusable silicone or BPA-free plastic pouches. These can be filled with homemade purees or snacks, reducing single-use waste and saving money over time. 2. Choose Brands with Sustainable Packaging Some companies are shifting towards biodegradable or recyclable pouches. Look for brands that are committed to using eco-friendly materials, and check if their packaging can be recycled through specific programs like TerraCycle. 3. Support Circular Economy Initiatives Encourage participation in recycling programs or companies that offer take-back initiatives for used pouches. Brands like Ella’s Kitchen have introduced recycling partnerships to reduce waste. 4. DIY Snack Prep Preparing snacks at home using reusable containers or jars minimizes waste. Homemade purees or finger foods can be just as convenient with the right storage, helping to eliminate single-use packaging entirely. #foodforthought #retortfoodinpouches #microplastics #landfills #adozencousins #brooklyndelhi #eatingoodhealth