🌱 The Future of Food and Drink? Brewgooder and Zero Carbon Farms are leading the way.
Featuring Brewgooder, Zero Carbon Farms, Toast Ale, Good Hemp and more...
Happy Friday!
This week we cover:
How Brewgooder are challenging their industry at every opportunity.
Zero Carbon Farms: The Future of Farming?
In case you missed it: Why Good Hemp think communication is key when you’re trying to “Unf**k the Planet”, featuring Ben Cooper, Head of Brand.
> Good News This Week
🎯 Toast Ale has partnered up with Rubies in the Rubble to create a low alcohol Raspberry Sour from wonky raspberries and surplus bread. All profits go to the charity Feedback to support work for better food systems in the lead up to COP26.
🎯 Edgard & Cooper’s two plant-based recipes for dogs hit shelves last week, with a climate footprint label printed on the pack. Compared to their meat-based recipes, their plant-based kibbles create 43% less carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions.
🎯 SauceShop announced they’re carbon negative, partnering with Ecologi to offset 2x the amount of carbon they produce across Scopes 1,2 and 3.
⭐️ Lululemon has introduced sustainable mushroom-based yoga accessories.
⭐️ Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Coop are trialling fully recyclable plastic free sandwich packaging in partnership with supplier Greencore.
⭐️ Pizza Hut have partnered with Beyond Meat to permanently add meat substitutes to their delivery menu nationwide, after a successful trial last year
⚡️A recent report by BBMG, in partnership with Globescan, titled ‘Radically Better Food: 4 Imperatives for Regenerative Brands’ revealed that 59% of people under 30 are often or always considering how responsible a brand is when choosing food and drink goods.
> Click on each link to read more.
> Brand Spotlight
What’s better than Brewgooder? Not much.
Founded in 2016 with the mission to brew better beer that had a positive impact on the planet, Brewgooder are changing and challenging their industry at every turn. For every can or pint of beer enjoyed by a customer, they ensure that 100 times that amount will be provided in clean water on projects undertaken by charity:water, their partner. This underpins their recently announced 100x impact model, and so far 140+ projects have been funded and a staggering 100,000,000+ litres of water have been provided. Read more about their 100x impact model here.
What’s cooler than being cool? QR codes to show it.
In April, Brewgooder announced their newly designed cans, equipped with QR codes which will allow customers to register and track the People Positive impact they make whilst enjoying the beer. A fascinating way to engage consumers, and gamify impact, making it clear and easy to see where profits go. With limited display space on the back of their can, a problem faced by almost all consumer goods brands, this is a clever and technically savvy work-around to better communicate their impact.
The 100x impact model is no small feat, and Brewgooder are getting the recognition they deserve. This month, they were named as one of the ‘Best for the World’ B Corps, in very impressive company. This accolade applauds them for standing out in the top 5% of B Corps, globally. Wow.
Oh, and it’s not just environmental impact that they focus on.
True to their B Corp nature, Brewgooder are fighting for a more just society everywhere they see it. Last year, in response to the murder of George Floyd, they announced Work In Progress (read their update here), acknowledging that their industry needs to be more inclusive. Shortly after their declaration, 20 more breweries joined them. In their words:
Work in Progress became an open, de-centralised movement of breweries that aspired to a more inclusive, more diverse, and more equitable industry. There was no barrier to entry, the dues were simply a commitment; to be honest about where you were, clear on where you stood, and accountable on what you did, and did not do.
Want to learn more about Brewgooder? Read their People Positive Impact Report.
Support Brewgooder via their shop:
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> Quick Take
Zero Carbon Farms: The Future of Farming?
Between 2010 and 2050, global food demand was predicted to increase by 50%, placing an ever-growing strain on the environment for resources and land. Already, agriculture is responsible for 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions - demonstrating the need for more efficient and sustainable farming practices. One business easing the pressure is Zero Carbon Farms (ZCF), who operate 33 metres beneath the streets of Clapham, London from disused WWII air raid shelters. Since 2015, the AgTech company has been supplying a range of microgreens and baby leaf to restaurants and supermarkets in London - including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, and Whole Foods Market.
Here’s how.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) - a technology-driven method of farming - is the cornerstone of ZCF, providing optimal growing conditions all year round. CEA is space and resource efficient - using up to 90% less water than conventional horticulture. This is particularly advantageous in urban areas where space is limited. Produce is grown hydro- and aero-ponically on once landfill-bound carpet off cuts, eliminating the dependancy on soil and environmentally-destructive pesticides and chemicals. Water is recycled on-site - forming a closed loop system whilst their energy partner, Good Energy, provides 100% clean, renewable energy generated in Britain.
How do consumers benefit?
Reducing the farm to plate distance decreases product carbon footprint and also better equips ZCF to respond to demand and helping to minimise food waste.
What’s more, ZCF is a B Corp and holds a Carbon Neutral + certification from Carbon Footprint. Plans for a new farm with links to local renewable sources and an on-site anaerobic digester represent an optimistic future for ZCF and growth of CEA as well as for sustainable food production and the planet.
Want to learn more?
Is Vertical Farming Really Better For The Planet? by Zero Carbon Farms
Check out other manufacturers using CEA, like Lettusgrow!
Read more about CEA here.
> In case you missed it
💥 #3 - Impact Initiative: Why Good Hemp think communication is key when you’re trying to “Unf**k the Planet”
Featuring Ben Cooper, Head of Brand.
> Follow up with…
Article: An All-Solutions Approach Is Needed to Meet the Looming Demand for Carbon Offsets
Resource: Knowledge Hub by Circle Economy
Podcast: Radically Better Food by BBMG
Community: Work on Climate