All articles tagged with #food sustainability
A Florida farm and an online grocery startup, Misfits Market, are addressing the issue of food waste caused by grocery stores rejecting imperfect produce, with the latter buying and selling such produce at a discount, helping reduce waste and improve access to affordable, healthy food.
Scientists have developed a method to improve the texture of plant-based foods by turning plant proteins into plant protein microgels, resulting in a moist and fatty texture similar to meat. The study, published in Nature Communications, aims to address the drawbacks of plant-based meat alternatives and reduce the environmental impact of the meat industry, which is responsible for over half of food-related carbon emissions. The process involves heating dry plant proteins in water to create a gel that retains water around the protein, providing a more meat-like texture without the need for added fat.
The upcycling movement is gaining ground in the US as consumers become more aware of food waste and its impact on the environment. Upcycling involves creating high-quality products from leftover food, such as using cacao pulp from chocolate production to make ice cream. The Upcycled Food Association issues an official "Upcycling Certified" seal to qualifying products, raising awareness with consumers that the company making the food used such ingredients. The movement is not confined to recycled products found in trendy stores, as a San Francisco restaurant serves pizza and wine using upcycled ingredients such as ugly mushrooms and discolored tomatoes.