Chris Ninnes’ Post

Today we've published Nomad Foods' annual Sustainability Report. We are now in the seventh year of delivering our sustainability strategy, Appetite for a Better World, using time-bound commitments to track and drive progress.     In 2023, we made good progress against our targets for nutrition, sourcing and operations, nearly all of which are on track or ahead of target. Highlights include the fact that in 2023, 99.5% of our fish and seafood was Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified, and 93.9% of net sales were from healthier meal choices, underpinning our achievement of a 100% score for Health and Nutrition in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the fifth year in a row. To find out more about our progress, please see our latest Sustainability Report here: https://lnkd.in/efKTgMEx Iglo Belgium (Nomad Foods), iglo Deutschland, Iglo Nederland (Nomad Foods), Iglo Portugal, Birds Eye UK & IE, Birds Eye Foodservice, Findus Italia (Nomad Foods), Findus France (Nomad Foods), Findus Sverige, Findus Finland, Findus España, Findus Foodservice Spain, Findus Norge AS, Findus Switzerland AG, Aunt Bessie's, Goodfella's Pizza UK & IE, LEDO plus d.o.o., Frikom DOO 

Agri-Food Industry is an important sector providing livelihood and wellbeing in FISSH regions. The shift towards sustainable food systems effects highly on the food companies, demanding changes in their operations. To guarantee their survival and competitiveness in the changing operative environment, the industry and its businesses need support in sustainable transition all the way from strategic level to production processes and responsible communications. As majority of the Food Businesses in FISSH regions are micro, small or medium sized enterprises the RDI resources and capabilities for implementing new sustainable solutions are scarce. In many regions SMEs perceive shift towards sustainability as a barrier rather than an advantage. New initiatives and supportive policies to increase capacities and knowledge of new suitable sustainable practices as well as to change the mindset towards sustainability are thus needed to keep the Food SMEs in FISSH regions competitive in the future. Objective of FISSH is to improve the implementation of the regional policies in the partner territories aiming at increasing business support to enhance the sustainability transition (ecological, economic and social) of food industry SMEs with the help of the recognised tools and practises. To guarantee comprehensive learning, supporting sustainability in food SMEs is analysed in 3 Thematic Focus Areas (TFA): 1. Business strategies and new sustainable business models for food industry SMEs, 2. Sustainable food production and product value chain, 3. Marketing and consumer perspectives on sustainable food products. The following cross-topics are evaluated under each TFA: 1. RDI and business support for sustainability – how to provide, 2. Measuring and Assessing sustainability – setting and achieving objectives, 3. Policies and funding instruments – how to support sustainability with policies and additional resources.

BRAND SPOTLIGHT: Better Nature Tempeh. Founded in 2018 by Fabio, Elin, Christopher and Dr. A. Driando, Better Nature Tempeh are on a mission to get 100 million people eating tempeh by 2030. WHY WE LOVE THEM: 💪 Tempeh is PACKED with nutrients - double the protein content of chicken eggs, same protein quality as beef, double fibre content of an apple and full of prebiotics from the soy. 🔎 Better Nature have worked with My Emissions to calculate their carbon footprint, receiving an ‘A’ rating in the process. 💚 They’re a certified B Corp (B Lab UK), who donate 1% of their sales to fight malnutrition in Indonesia. 📉 Emissions, land use, water (the list goes on) - tempeh produces 94-96% less CO2e than beef and uses 95% less land! We’re not the only ones - Better Nature Tempeh sold a pack of tempeh every 17 seconds in Lidl GB for 7 days straight last year! We asked CEO and Co-founder Christopher Kong what his three wishes for the food industry would be. Here’s what he said: 👉 I would wish that retailers applied the same margins to meat as they do to plant-based proteins. The average retailer charges the consumer roughly 40% margin for plant-based proteins whereas they only charge roughly 15% for meat. So if a brand sold plant-based protein and meat to a retailer for £1, the plant-based protein would end up costing ~£1.70 on the shelf whereas the meat would cost ~£1.20. This makes it pretty much impossible for most plant-based products to achieve price parity with meat which doesn’t do anything to shift consumer behaviour from meat consumption. 👉 I would wish that some of the vast government subsidies used to subsidise the cost of meat be used to invest in alternative proteins, to create a healthier, more sustainable and profitable food system. In the EU, most cattle farmers receive 50% of their income in the form of government subsidies. Though there are some grants available for plant-based businesses, the funding from the government that goes into alternative proteins pales in comparison to that which goes to subsidising the cost of meat production. Though removing these subsidies would make meat unaffordable to many, it could make more healthy and sustainable sources of protein ubiquitous. And if these farmers were reskilled in the process, they could earn a better living than they are now. 👉I would wish that the food industry cared more about our soil. Soil health is a topic of discussion that isn’t getting enough attention. It’s literally what our entire existence is built on! However, modern farming practices - driven by maximizing yield for the lowest cost possible - actively degrade our soils. 📞 Have a brand you want to see next? Let us know! 👇 Spot (some of) the Better Nature after announcing their Lidl launch!

To me these findings a pretty obvious: Conventional agriculture harms the planet but if e.g. a vegan product or meal is made with palm oil and avocado it still promotes clear-cutting of rainforest and massive water consumption. If you paint vegetarian or vegan foods green, many will think it to be more sustainable than conventional or meat-based foods, which is not always the case. It always takes a bit of thought to evaluate what is truly sustainable. https://lnkd.in/e939Dyh3

This company is looking to disrupt a $1.6T industry with a more sustainable alternative. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Patrick O. Brown, Impossible Foods’ mission is to create delicious, nutritious meat and dairy products from plants. Their goal is to significantly reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture. What makes Impossible Foods unique? Impossible Foods developed a groundbreaking ingredient called heme. Heme is essential for replicating the flavor and juiciness of meat. Found in all living organisms, including plants, Impossible Foods produces it by fermenting genetically engineered yeast. This innovative use of heme not only sets Impossible Foods apart but also enhances the taste, making their plant-based products one of the best in the industry. How does this scientific approach translate to the consumer market? The company continuously innovates and expands its product line. Recent launches include Impossible Sausage, Impossible Chicken Nuggets, and Impossible Pork. These products appeal not only to vegetarians and vegans but also to meat lovers looking for healthier and more sustainable options. Impossible Foods has rapidly expanded its global footprint. As of 2024, its products are available in about 22,000 grocery stores and nearly 40,000 restaurants worldwide. The company has recently entered new markets, including Canada, the UAE, Australia, and New Zealand. Impossible Foods employs bold marketing strategies. Their "We’re solving the meat problem with more meat" campaign directly targets meat eaters. They present plant-based meat as a delicious and sustainable alternative. This approach makes plant-based meat more appealing to a broader audience, emphasizing taste and environmental benefits. What’s next for Impossible Foods? Looking ahead, Impossible Foods aims to continue its rapid growth and innovation. The company has raised nearly $2 billion in funding to support its expansion plans. These plans include broadening its product portfolio and enhancing its technology platforms. Future initiatives focus on deepening its market presence and accelerating international growth. As of 2024, Impossible Foods has a valuation estimated between $7 billion and $10 billion. Impossible Foods' mission-driven approach and relentless innovation have positioned it as a leader in the plant-based meat industry. By continually refining their products and expanding their reach, they are poised to make a significant impact on global food systems. ---------------------------------------------------- If you enjoyed this post, follow me at Varun Shroff for daily insights into unique brands across various industries each week!

🔮 Green Queen Media founding editor Sonalie Figueiras' predictions for 2024’s future food landscape How the sector needs to evolve in 2024: 🍽 Alt Protein in sustainable food: Highlighting the need for alternative protein sources to collaborate more with the broader food and climate communities, aiming to overcome the divide created by negative media and misinformation. 💰 Funding diversification in the food industry: Advocating for more varied and substantial funding sources for the alternative protein industry, including public money, grants, and creative investment schemes, to move beyond reliance on venture capital. 💼 Experience-based talent in foodtech: The foodtech sector needs more professionals with experience in food production and supply chains, as well as marketing and communication experts to build consumer-first brands. 🤝 Organised industry-wide action: The call for a more organised effort within the protein diversification space to combat misinformation and lobby for better regulation. 🚨 Food supply shortages: Anticipating more disruptions in food supplies due to weather extremes caused by global warming, affecting crops like rice, chocolate, and tomatoes. Food trends and predictions in 2024: 🧬 Personalised food: An emerging trend towards AI-powered startups creating custom foods tailored to individual health and nutrition needs. 💊 Impact of Ozempic on the food industry: The increasing use of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, which reduce appetite and interest in unhealthy foods, is expected to significantly influence food consumption patterns. 🌿 Plant-based foods and GLP-1: Highlighting an opportunity for plant-based protein brands to market their products as natural sources of GLP-1, which helps reduce cravings. 🍪 Gen-Z’s snacking habits: Noting the preference of the post-millennial generation for varied, snack-sized food options and functional foods. 👨👩👧👦 Climate-conscious parenting: Identifying a gap in the market for food products that cater to parents seeking plant-forward options for their families in response to climate change concerns. 🐟 Plant-based and fermented seafood: An increasing interest in plant-based seafood alternatives as awareness grows about overfishing and its environmental impact. 🍄 Whole-food-based meat replacements: A trend towards whole-food products with fewer ingredients and cleaner labels, driven by consumer demand for transparency and concerns about ultra-processed foods. 🏷️ Labelling transparency: Predicting demand for more transparent labelling on food products, facilitated by AI software and data companies, to provide consumers with detailed information about nutrition and environmental impact. ✉️ Hungry for more on biotechnology shaping food's future? Devour the free subscription and join a list of founders, investors, and biotech enthusiasts leading the food revolution: betterbioeconomy.com

Replacing beef with chemically produced proteins like vegetarians and vegans promote, is a really bad idea. Especially since the bad reputation of beef is composed by fraudulent science. Beef and other meats are essential for a healthy body and mind. There is one condition however; the meat must be organically grown. Cows in the pasture, pigs, chickens, goats, turkeys, ducks and all other animals have the right to natural daylight, fresh air and space for their natural behavior. This means that we must turn our backs on industrial livestock farming. Away with mega stables with animal-unfriendly and inhumane conditions. This does indeed mean a drastic reduction in the livestock population, but note that this does not concern cows in the fields. We must cherish these cows, our meadow birds cannot live without them. And we need them too, for their great gift of meat and dairy.

At this time of year the mainstream media loves lists of trends to watch. In the spirit of New Year lists and embracing new technology we asked ChatGPT to tell us the top 10 predicted eco-food trends of 2024, here's what it said. 'Predicting eco food trends for 2024 involves considering the growing interest in sustainability, health, and the environment. Here are some trends that are likely to gain traction: 1. Regenerative Agriculture: This approach to farming focuses on improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing the ecosystem. It's gaining popularity as a way to produce food sustainably while combating climate change. 2. Plant-Based Innovations: The plant-based food market is expected to continue growing, with innovations in taste, texture, and variety. This includes not just meat alternatives but also dairy-free cheeses, eggs, and seafood. 3. Local and Seasonal Eating: As awareness of food miles and the carbon footprint of imported foods grows, more consumers are likely to turn towards locally sourced and seasonal foods. 4. Upcycled Foods: Using food waste or by-products to create new products is a trend that's gaining momentum. This includes making snacks from fruit peels or brewing beer from surplus bread. 5. Low-Impact Packaging: Eco-friendly packaging solutions, like biodegradable materials or reusable containers, are expected to become more prevalent as consumers and businesses seek to reduce plastic waste. 6. Cell-Based Meats and Seafood: Lab-grown meats and seafood, which offer a more sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat, might become more accessible and affordable. 7. Functional and Fermented Foods: There's a growing interest in foods that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, including fermented foods like kombucha, kefir, and kimchi, which are beneficial for gut health. 8. Diverse Plant-Based Proteins: Beyond soy and wheat, expect to see a rise in less common plant proteins from sources like peas, hemp, and algae. 9. Sustainable Seafood: With overfishing being a concern, there’s likely to be a greater emphasis on sustainably sourced seafood, including more support for MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified products. 10. Digital Food Management: Technology like smart appliances and apps that help reduce food waste by better tracking and managing food at home could become more popular.' _________________________________ What do YOU think will be the trends to watch in 2024? Let us know in the comments.

**EMPLOYER DEEP DIVE””** AgroFresh is a global leader in post-harvest quality and freshness solutions, with a mission to enhance the quality of and extend the shelf-life of fresh produce, whilst reducing food loss and waste. The company's influence spans over 50+ countries with key products registered, reaching over 3,800+ direct customers and protecting 25k storage rooms. Led by Clinton A Lewis Jr, or "Clint", the company maintains a strong commitment to innovation and customer partnership. AgroFresh boasts 8 Innovation Centres located in key fruit-growing regions, and holds a staggering 375+ patents. These assets, along with a team of over 40 scientists and post-harvest physiologists, allow AgroFresh to analyse over 2 million pieces of fruit annually and maintain the largest and most comprehensive database of 1‑MCP application technical information. The company's main area of focus is the management of ethylene, a natural plant hormone that governs the ripening process of fruits and vegetables. AgroFresh has developed a range of integrated solutions, branded as 'Smarter Freshness', which utilise technology to manage ethylene levels and prolong the freshness and quality of produce from harvest to home. AgroFresh is not just about maintaining the status quo, but also making strides in sustainability. In 2024, the company launched the AgroFresh Control-Tec™ Eco system in collaboration with Fontestad, a renowned family business in the handling and distribution of citrus fruit. This initiative has resulted in an impressive 70% annual water savings and is a testament to the company's commitment to environmental stewardship and resource efficiency. As a company, AgroFresh is strategic in its growth, with recent key acquisitions such as Pace International, a global provider of sustainable post-harvest solutions. The company's dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed. AgroFresh was the recipient of the Rabobank 2015 Leader in Sustainability Award, the Award for Innovation in Business granted by Cámara Valencia in 2022, and the Overall Food Quality Solution of the Year Award at the AgTech Breakthrough Awards in 2021. Employee reviews highlight the supportive leadership, good compensation and benefits package, mission-focused approach, and opportunities for growth through initiatives like the tuition reimbursement programme. The company operates with a global scale and reach but maintains a close-knit and collaborative work environment. AgroFresh is now a privately-owned company and boasts a diverse board of directors, made up of industry executives from across the globe and is reported to have a market cap of $0.16 Billion as of May 2024. Agrofresh is not only a frontrunner in its field but is also dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and the professional growth of its employees. Definitely one to watch!

Transforming food systems would provide economic benefits equivalent to at least 5 trillion USD a year. FSEC has assessed one specific science-based transformation pathway for food system which brings huge benefits for both people and planet. This pathway is called the Food System Transformation (FST). Estimates of those benefits, measured as reductions in the unaccounted costs of food systems outlined above, amount to at least 5 trillion USD per year. When the full effects of a global food system transformation on incomes are factored in, estimates of its benefits rise to 10 trillion USD per year. The FST offers a future where: → Undernutrition is eliminated by 2050, and cumulatively 174 million lives are saved from premature death due to diet-related chronic disease, compared to Current Trends(CT). This fall in diet-related chronic disease accounts for 55 percent of the reduction in the food system’s hidden costs associated with the FST. When accounting for the impacts of changing diets on both consumption and (indirectly) on land use, changing diets accounts for 70 percent of the benefits of transforming food systems. → Farmers in the global food system — around 400 million people — enjoy a sufficient income from their work thanks to productivity growth and targeted support policies. → An additional 1.4 billion hectares of land is protected, while a further 200 million hectares are afforested and open to planet-friendly economic uses such as the production of timber for housing. → A shift to environmentally sustainable production in agriculture reverses biodiversity loss, reduces demand for irrigation water and almost halves nitrogen surplus from agriculture and natural land (i.e. land that has not been altered or developed for human purposes). → The food system becomes a net carbon sink by 2040. As part of a larger sustainability transformation which includes the energy sector, this helps to ensure that global warming is limited to well below the 1.5°C Paris Climate target by the end of the century, with peak warming barely exceeding 1.5°C. → Processes of structural transformation are accelerated, meaning that agriculture becomes less labor-intensive than under CT. About 75 million more on-farm jobs are reallocated to other segments of food systems or other sectors than expected under CT.   This alternative future plays out differently in different parts of the world. A shift to healthy diets entails notably higher consumption of fruits, vegetables and nuts in South and South-East Asia and of legumes in China. Meanwhile, consumption of animal-sourced food decreases drastically in high and middle-income regions.