Christian Tibig
Outline
Companies and Entrepreneurs are necessary for plant-based foods to thrive because they are the foundation needed in order to introduce new ideas towards society as well as being able to fund those ideas. I’ve introduced huge names in the plant-based protein landscape down below indicating their contributions in helping a plant-based economy. I’ve also shown the future trends and positive impact a plant-based economy will have in the American market as well as the world market. Lastly, I introduced a company that’s meant to aid smaller startup companies looking to get funding for research on alternative ways to make meat through plants. Engaged companies and entrepreneurs are beneficial in order for plant-based foods to thrive in a society where meat reigns supreme, they also are the main source of funding for research, and lastly they provide connections with others companies in order to accelerate progress.
Engaged Companies and Entrepreneurs
“Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet” Albert Einstein (HeroBlog). The idea of a plant-based economy is an old idea that hasn’t been adapted to such a scale as it is in today’s society. Societal changes take time, especially in a society where meat is essential to most individuals’ diets throughout the world. With that being said, plant-based economies are made possible by entrepreneurs and companies that have been made aware of the many benefits it brings to not only the health of individuals but also, our planet’s health as well as economic health.
The trend of plant-based proteins is gaining traction with expos bringing in big and small companies that support plant-based proteins. During the 2019 Expo West, where 90,000 people travelled across the world to attend, 4 main ideas came out on top on the goals of a majority of plant-based companies. These ideas were; CBD (Cannabidoil) and hemp innovation, plant-based everything, regenerative agriculture promises, diet-boasting brands. The idea of CBD and hemp innovation was to bring plant-based companies towards the radar of legislators. For example, Tilray a company who produced and distributed cannabis purchased Manitoba Harvest for $317 million dollars, which at the time was the largest hemp foods manufactuer (Byington). With the rise of plant-based meat substitues, companies like Food Dive are bringing the idea of plant-based everything including yogurt, cream cheese, and pasta (Byington). With a rise in awareness for the wellbeing of our planet, many companies such as General Mills, pledged to find sustainable means of farming as well as committing to innovative farming practices that is less stressful on the land. The idea of plant-based society catches the eye of an individual by the health benefits it can bring such as the keto diet, which is low carbohydrates and sugar free. The paleo diet which is heavy on fruit consumption and dairy free, but both of which are legume and grain free and consists of whole foods (Byington). The expo introduced helped the societal push for a plant-based economy by introducing companies to each other and allowing them to work towards each other’s strengths.
The Alternative Protein Show is one of the largest events where plant-based companies get the chance to introduce themselves to each other and more importantly to government agencies and entrepreneurs looking to invest. As seen in the chart above, the event showcases companies creating new proteins, supporting new proteins, funding new proteins which range from corporate to governmental funding, and media services. Some big names are Nestle, Tyson, John Deere, and Beyond Meat to name a few. Some companies delve deeper in what they are supportive of. For example, John Deere supports the processing and culturing of systems around agriculture and the company called Memphis Meats looks to create new protein by using clean animal proteins.
Plant-Based companies isn’t just based around the United States, Vegan entrepreneur, athlete, and Vbites owner Heather Mills purchaed the second largest factory in North-Eastern United Kingdom and will has dubbed it Plant-Based valley (Chiorando). She has dedicated portions of the factory towards LoveSeitan and One Planet Pizza which are smaller plant-based companies, but with her aid and funding they are able to thrive. Heather Mill’s wants to bring employement and awareness to plant-based diets in the eyes of fellow British citizens as well as the world.
Creating new proteins isn’t just the goal of plant-based companies, there are some that look towards bettering the planet’s health by means of agriculture and sustainable solutions in transitions from animal farming to soley on plant farms (Clayton). A company called Farm Transformers looked to build sustainable, plant-based business solutions espcially for farmers (Clayton). A2Px (Animal to Plant-Baed Protein Exchange) is a company that deals with the darker side of animal agriculture. This company targets dairy farmers who are seeking change from animal farming at a low cost by providing aid and ideas for sustainable farming (Clayton). A2Px targetted dairy farmers because of the drastic price drop of milk in recent years. Instead of short-term changes, A2Px looked towards long term ideas such as switching from animal milk to plant-based milk. With a high demand for plant-based milk, it was clear that change was almost inevitable to these farmers and A2Px provided their council for that needed change.
Some big names in favor of the plant-based lifestyle includes singers such as Miley Cyrus and Stevie Wonder. Past Presidents such as Bill Clinton. Countless actors and actresses such as Natalie Portman and Brad Pitt. All these individuals claim that switching to a plant-based lifestyle, has greatly influenced their health in a positive way but, knowing that this simple change will greatly impact the world is also a plus. Bill Clinton stated that he wouldn’t be alive if he hadn’t changed his lifestyle. He strayed away from animal-based proteins when he was facing a quadruple coronary bypass surgery.
Overall the future for plant-based companies is bright. According to TechNavio, in the graph above, $5.67 billion dollars is expected incremental growth for the plant-based economies. In 2019 alone, there is an expected 8.24% increase for the plant-based market. The United States and its neighbors will play a huge role in the growth of plant-based companies, where 43% will come from the Americas. The statistics supporting a plant-based lifestyle is there, it is up to the companies and individuals across the world to put this idea into fruition.
Annotated Bibliography
Clayton, E. R. (2018, December 27). “These Organizations Help Farmers Transition from Animal Agriculture to the Plant-Based Economy”. Retrieved March 14, 2019
This article focuses on, “Farm Transformers and The Alternative Protein Show” and how they are helping in the rise of a plant-based economy. Farm Transformers’ goal is to provide farmers with the necessary knowledge when trying to transition their farms towards a more Eco-friendly and plant-based business while, “The Alternative Protein Show” provides companies with an event in order to network with one another. Farm Transformers provides the ability to cut out the middle-man and allows farmers direct access to the consumer market such as the event that the Alternative Protein Show provides.
Clarkson, D. (2018, November 01). “Kale United Launch New Crowdfunding Campaign On World Vegan Day To Help Plant-Based Businesses Thrive” Retrieved March 15, 2019
This article highlights a company called, “Kale United” which was founded in Sweden with the sole purpose of providing necessary tools to help plant-based businesses thrive. Kale United acts as a catalyst for small plant-based businesses and helps them connect with much larger companies in order to receive funding or backing. Kale United is a network that provides advisers on which companies look more promising as well as where to properly invest their resources.
Conway, M., & Peterson, C. (2018, March 6). “PBFA Farm Based Agenda” [Letter written March 6, 2018 to Pat Roberts]. Retrieved March 15, 2019
This was a letter written by the, “Plant Based Foods Association” who is a group advocating for a plant-based economy by seeking political support. They sent a yearly agenda to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, providing them with their goals for 2018 such as support for specialty crops, plant protein and nutrients of concern, support for organic crops, and removing anti-competitive policies. Plant Based Foods Association’s main goal is to help create a farm bill that is able to recognize and support innovation as well as positive changes in the diet of Americans.
References
HeroBlog. (2018, January 01). 50 Vegan Quotes from Plant-Based Pioneers. Retrieved from https://www.heromovement.net/blog/vegan-quotes/
Byington, L. (2019, March 11). From CBD to plant based: 4 trends that dominated Expo West in 2019. Retrieved from https://www.fooddive.com/news/from-cbd-to-plant-based-4-trends-that-dominated-expo-west-in-2019/550150/
The Alternative Protein Show. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.newprotein.org/
Chiorando, M. (n.d.). ‘Plant-Based Valley’ To Open In UK To Accelerate Vegan Businesses. Retrieved from https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/plant-based-valley-uk-accelerate-vegan-businesses
Clayton, E. R. (2018, December 27). “These Organizations Help Farmers Transition from Animal Agriculture to the Plant-Based Economy”.
Peter. (2018, April 04). 35 Vegan Celebrities Enjoying the Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet. Retrieved from https://www.theplantway.com/vegan-celebrities/
Plant Based Agriculture 