From trash to treasure: Upcycled food is on the rise
The market for upcycled food is having a moment. Both in retail and at a larger scale. According to Forbes the market for upcycled food is expected to grow at a yearly rate of 5 percent in the next 10 years. According to a report from Axel Johnson, the number of companies related to upcycled food is growing and huge companies as Barilla Group and Dole Foods are investing in the space.
The Upcycled Food Association
In the US in 2021 a group dedicated to this cause was founded. The Upcycled Food Association (UFA) are aiming to raise awareness among the industry, consumers and investors, influencing and educating them about how to think upcycling instead of binning.
Waste booze and fertilizer
Our friends at Stora Coop Visby are best in class when it comes to upcycling in grocery retail. They are getting close to their zero waste goal, and one of the reasons is their ability think outside the box and collaborative. Use your local network, contact local companies and see if they can help you with your surplus food.
They takes this further than many others, the local distillery makes booze out of expired baby formula and left over oats, that they call SPILL. Brown bananas gets picked up by the local ice cream company. Even the food that, despite their efforts don't get sold, get a glow up and turns into fertilizer. They both sell the fertilizer in the store as well as use it for their tomato plantation on the roof of the store (of course). Read more about how Stora Coop Visby works here.
There is also upcycling in larger scales of course. One example is Green-on, a Swedish company that figured out a way to make an alternative to palm oil out of Co2. Don't ask me how it works but it sure sound like a win-win all around.
Saved by Motatos
Swedish online grocer Motatos have launched a line of products called "Saved By Motatos" and it is what it sounds like. Products that's made out of ingredients that needs saving. Smart and fun branding and since I've bought some of the products I can also say that they're really good.
Juices from RESCUED
Another example that even I understand is RSCUED. They rescue fruits and greens from retail and producers and makes juice. Such a simple idea but still genius. If you're attending EuroShop in Düsseldorf next week, swing by our booth and be treated with a healthy shot from our friends at RSCUED (or maybe a less healthier shot of SPILL)
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