Fizz Ahmed’s Post

In a thought-provoking op-ed for Fast Company, our CEO, Jeff Frank, shines a light on the pressing challenges facing small dairy farms across America. With thousands of family farms disappearing annually due to consolidation and economic pressures, the ripple effects on rural communities are profound. The stakes couldn't be higher, from dwindling main street businesses to the erosion of local economies. But there is hope.  Upon reflecting on Organic Valley's 35th anniversary and his travels to our farms across the country, Jeff felt the impact firsthand. His leadership comes at a crucial time, as he steers our cooperative towards innovation, all while keeping our purpose—protecting small organic family farms—at our core.  Our journey of transformation has led us to embrace cultural beliefs, including mission-critical, shatter silos, and so much more. We've also taken bold steps to reduce dairy's carbon footprint. Our pioneering carbon insetting program rewards farmers for eco-friendly practices, setting a new standard in the industry.  Over the last year, the results speak for themselves: a multi-million-dollar profit turnaround, increased farmer pay, reduced debt, and improved team sentiment.  In these challenging times, Organic Valley remains committed to reimagining and reinvesting in the origins of our food, driven by fresh thinking and a steadfast purpose. To read Jeff's entire op-ed, click here: https://lnkd.in/gJbTBenm #purposedriven #ceoinsights

At Sustain-A-Grain, we know Kernza. But it hasn’t always been this way. In 2018, two farmers in north-central Kansas set out to answer a simple question: Can we grow this first-of-its-kind, perennial grain? Six years later, the answer is clear. We can grow it, process it, and we've helped other farmers do the same. We’ve witnessed the positive ecological impacts it has had on soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. Now, new questions are emerging: What infrastructure is needed to integrate Kernza into communities’ foodways? How do we narrate its journey and impact from a farmer’s field to the breakfast table? And how do we introduce this climate-smart, high-protein, high-fiber grain into a variety of food and beverage products? Today, in 2024, Sustain-A-Grain is a growing team with strong partnerships in communities and across the supply chain, ready to innovate. We know solutions come through relationships, and we’ve been organizing events to explore these new questions in real-time and foster place-based communities and solutions. This summer, during Kernza harvest, we gathered along the I-135 corridor in Kansas with industry and supply chain partners. Together, we witnessed innovations at farms, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, mills, and research institutions, gaining a holistic understanding of Kernza's current state in order to envision its future. At Sustain-A-Grain, we know Kernza, and we also know it takes people—their lives and their dreams—for new food cultures of the future emerge. We’re a perennial grain company built on collaboration, and we can’t wait to explore new opportunities with you. Join us! sustainagrain.com

It is a pleasure working with Duey Yliniemi every day and seeing his passion for the agrifood industry come through in everything he does. #agrifood #agtech #sustainability

Day 15 Challenge: Buy Local and Seasonal Produce 🍎 While out on a walk, I passed by a fruit stand and couldn’t resist stopping. I picked up some watermelon and pawpaw—funny enough, I just realized I haven’t had pawpaw since starting university 😂. But beyond the nostalgia, buying locally produced fruits and foods is a win-win. It reduces costs tied to packaging and transportation (which helps the environment) while also boosting the local economy. Supporting local farmers is a tasty way to make a difference! Let’s make sustainable choices that benefit us all! Pharma Incubation Hub #ZeroWasteChampions #PharmaIncubationHub #BuyLocal #SeasonalEating #FarmToTable

"Our focus is that we do not want to take consumer adoption risk. You look at everything that’s happened over the last six years with the advent of plant-based meats and things like cauliflower crust pizza – it’s like everybody’s trying to go in and change what people are used to eating." So said Manna Tree's co-founder and managing partner Ross Iverson, as we discussed exits in the agtech-adjacent food-as-health sector. Article is live now on Agri Investor: https://lnkd.in/eHY2t_CN

Located in the heart of the community, Heartee Foods’ operation stands as a testament to the potential of circular economy principles in modern agriculture. By repurposing shipping containers as controlled environment farms, the company has crafted a blueprint for efficiency, sustainability, and high-yield production of gourmet mushrooms. “The essence of our project is to create a closed-loop system where waste is minimized, and productivity is maximized,” explained by Jonathan Murray the visionary CEO of Heartee Foods. “These upcycled containers are the perfect vessels for cultivating specialty mushrooms. They allow us to control every aspect of the environment — temperature, humidity, light — ensuring optimal growth conditions while significantly reducing our carbon footprint.” The community has embraced Heartee Foods, seeing it as a beacon of innovation in urban agriculture. Local chefs and food enthusiasts are particularly excited, as the farm promises a steady supply of fresh, organic mushrooms, enhancing the culinary scene with flavors that are both rich and sustainably sourced. Beyond its environmental and gastronomic impact, Heartee Foods aims to cultivate community engagement. The farm offers tours and workshops, educating the public about sustainable farming practices and the benefits of local food systems. “It’s about more than just mushrooms,” Murray says. “It’s about building a community around the shared values of sustainability, education, and high-quality food.” The success of their upcycled container farms not only underscores the viability of hyper-local farming solutions but also represents a significant step forward in the journey towards a more sustainable and food-secure world. — #inyourcity Jonathan Murray Rob Imbeault Colin F. Steve Mellios Gavin Willcocks Dylan Mitchell Mo Asgharzadeh Samantha Morley Nishat Khan Brahimi hearteefoods.com 📍

Recently, we’ve been covering a range of disruptions in the food industry. 🧩2/3 of the U.S. faces an obesity challenge, and federal subsidies have created an Agri-Business that favors high fructose corn production, processed foods and a broken beef and meat industry. 🧩A number of noteworthy Disruptors are changing the way we produce food across the globe that’s more healthy, sustainably produced and less taxing on our earth’s resources. 🧩In Boston, Rick Vanzura at Freight Farms shared how they are revolutionizing food growing using a fraction of the resources required with their innovative container farming model 🧩In London, Dan Miller at Steward has leveraged fintech to create a financing model for small farms to secure capital to “grow” their businesses 🧩In Israel, Tsipi Shoham, CEO at GreenOnyx will be sharing how a background in oncology equipped her to develop affordable greens that are nutrient dense and critical for maintaining good health. 🧩And, in Helena Montana, Cole Mannix founder of the Old Salt Co-op shares his journey to upend the meat industry to bring it into balance with the earth and create better beef in a healthier food ecosystem. If you can make it to the Old Salt Festival Next Week in Helena, great! If not, listen in and get DisruptED with us.

🫐 The Superfruit Boom is Here! 🫐 Agrovision, a sustainable food-tech startup, today closed $100M in funding at a $1B+ valuation to revolutionize your snacking habits with their premium superfruits. As consumers turn to healthier options, berries are leading the charge. With a notable rise in whole fruits consumption, Agrovision's juicy, jumbo blueberries—sold under the Fruitist brand at your favorite stores like Costco, Giant, Publix, Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Wakefernand, and Whole Foods—are flying off the shelves. Sales have nearly tripled in the past three years, and this fresh round of funding will bring even more delicious and snackable superfruit varieties to a store near you. Next time you're grocery shopping, reach for Fruitist and taste the innovation! To learn more, Steve M., co-founder and CEO of Agrovision, spoke with Bloomberg's Sarah McBride seizing on a broader trend of growth in US berry consumption. https://bloom.bg/3LOZ7aX CC: Lars Rikse, Maggie Philbin, Vijay Chattha, Hannah Colson, Reysita Llarena, Natalie Bartels #HealthySnacking #Superfruits #Sustainability #FundingNews

This Earth Day 🌎 we’re celebrating UPSIDE Foods CEO and Founder Uma Valeti, MD. There’s no doubt that being a startup founder can bring lots of worries, especially when your vision is as impactful as revolutionizing the global food system. Maybe that’s why Uma likes to crank up Bob Marley & the Wailers’ Three Little Birds (Don’t Worry About A Thing) to navigate the twists and turns of founder life. As Uma knows well, leading a category creator is no easy feat. UPSIDE develops cultivated meat to reduce the animal and environmental impacts of a global food system that demands increasingly larger amounts of meat to feed a growing population. Last year, they received approval from the USDA to produce and sell cell-cultivated chicken in the U.S. 🐔 So turn up the volume on Three Little Birds to inspire your own innovation: https://nvp.co/3WzfdtI Then read about why our team sees cultivated meat as an innovative solution to the complex challenges of climate adaptation and food stability: https://lnkd.in/gG2DwvgA

Elevating Berry Excellence: Red Cliff Farms Partners with RypLabs, the Berry Longevity Advisors. We are excited to share a groundbreaking development in our quest to deliver premium berries to markets across the Americas. Red Cliff Farms is partnering with RypLabs, the innovative minds behind StixFresh technology and true berry longevity advisors. This collaboration isn't just about preserving berries—it's about elevating the entire berry experience from farm to table. RypLabs' approach as Berry Longevity Advisors aligns perfectly with our commitment to quality and excellence. Key Highlights of our Partnership: 1. Enhanced Berry Quality: StixFresh technology doesn't just extend shelf life it maintains the premium quality of berries throughout their journey to consumers. 2. Tailored Longevity Solutions: RypLabs' advisory approach means customized solutions for different berry varieties and market needs. 3. Market Leadership: This partnership positions us at the forefront of berry quality enhancement, setting new industry standards. 4. Continuous Improvement: Exciting developments in application methods are underway, promising even greater advancements in berry longevity. As we delve into strategy sessions with RypLabs, it's clear we're not just improving berries—we're reimagining the entire berry value chain. This means consistently superior berries for consumers, extended market reach for growers, and improved inventory management for retailers. Red Cliff Farms' unique position as both growers and distributors, combined with our deep understanding of Latin American markets, makes us the ideal partner to bring RypLabs' berry longevity expertise to fruition across the Americas. We're thrilled to be at the forefront of this berry revolution. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of berry excellence. The future of berries is brighter, tastier, and longer-lasting than ever before.