THE GOOD FOOD INSTITUTE, INC.
ARLINGTON, VA

In the session “Is the future of food animal-free,” moderated by Annie Cull, Director of Communications at The Good Food Institute (GFI), three panelists provided their take on this question. GFI Director of Science and Technology Dr. David Welch provided a foundation for the audience on the current state of plant-based meats and explained the how and why of clean meat. Chris Kerr, Partner and Director at mission-based VC firm New Crop Capital, outlined the investments that have been creating momentum for the plant-based and clean meat sectors. And Tim Faveri, Vice President of Sustainability & Shared Value at Maple Leaf Foods, talked about his company’s successes moving from a conventional meat company to a provider of protein solutions with the acquisitions of two plant-based brands, Light Life and Field Roast. As agriculture and food businesses consider the impact of plant-based and clean meat, here were some of the insights shared by the panelists:  . Find the points of shared value between the aspirations of the consumer and the many benefits of these new products (environmental, human-health, and animal welfare to name a few)  . Omnivores eating more plant-based options is the growth driver for the success of these products – not buy-in from niche segments of veg-eaters.  . When thinking about business strategy, look beyond the U.S. borders. Panelists specifically suggested focusing on the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.  . We are at the very start of a long-term shift in how people eat. Plant-based foods offer better health outcomes, a smaller environmental footprint, and address growing awareness of animal welfare. This means companies should build strategy with an eye toward the long-term, rather than capturing a specific tipping point moment!  The Good Food Institute Imagine a food system where the most affordable and delicious products are also good for our bodies and the planet. We work with both start-up and established companies to ensure marketplace success for products that are disrupting the current system. We educate grant-making institutions, corporations, and governmental bodies about plant-based and clean meat R&D as a critical component of endeavors related to sustainability, climate change, and global health. Promoting Plant-Based Products “Remaking meat is one sector of the food industry that is ripe for innovation and growth.”