FUTURE OF FOOD
For those of us living in developed countries, food is such a basic part of life that we can easily take it for granted. We do so at our peril. With our planet’s limited resources, we must feed a global population expected to grow to 9.7 billion by 2050. Currently, our inefficient food production and distribution system is unable to prevent widespread hunger, even as it takes a terrible toll on the environment. Meanwhile, rich countries face an epidemic of diseases related to a diet of affluence and overabundance.
Plant-Based Meat Industry
People are dissatisfied with highly-processed meat alternatives with long lists of ingredients that they need a PhD to understand. Plant-based eaters want healthy, clean label choices with recognizable ingredients, but not at the expense of great taste, texture, or functionality. (source)
Despite an $85 billion opportunity over the next 8 years (source), the most well-known and best-funded players in the meat-alternatives category are failing to meet the demands of millions of consumers who are looking for healthier options that still taste awesome and can be used in all the recipes they love.
More than 60% of adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic health condition and 40% have two or more (source). With millions of people turning to plant-based meats because of their perceived health halo it’s safe to say that plant-based meat has hit mainstream. But we've also hit a point where consumers are questioning whether the most popular plant-based products are really good for them.