March 2023 Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,

For those of you preparing to head to ExpoWest and SXSW, good luck and have the best time. If you have any updates or exciting outcomes for your work at either event, please let me know so I can celebrate and share on your behalf!

In addition to a whack of great readings this month, I have a few exciting updates from the Littlefoot world to share with you:

• Introducing the Littlefoot Mentorship and Job Support package. I have been so inspired by people’s interest in my work and professional career that I designed a special beta consulting package to allow me to collaborate directly with mid-career professionals and recent graduates on their professional development in the food, climate and/or philanthropy space to either find a new position or to design a plan to create more impact in a current role. Please contact me if you are interested or share with someone who may benefit from this engagement together.
• We’re hosting our very first event! I have teamed up with Merrill Feather and Kristen Winzent of The Regenerates to co-host a meetup in San Francisco that discusses all things food x climate x storytelling. If you’re a F&B marketer or climate-curious storyteller, this is for you. This free event will be hosted in San Francisco on March 15th at 4pm or virtually if you’re located outside of the Bay Area. To reserve your spot or get more details https://littlefootventures.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a23c8ebeb1a7016a3e86ee41d&id=86172139da&e=f7eaeec723click here.
• Last, but not least, in celebration of International Women’s Month, I am thrilled to share that my beloved friend Homa Dashtaki, founder of The White Moustache Yogurt company, just released her very first cookbook: Yogurt & Whey: Recipes of an Iranian Immigrant Life. Her passion for traditional Iranian yogurt-making methods and innovative upcycling of whey has resulted in a collection of 100 recipes that reflect both nostalgia and creativity. You can learn more and purchase the book here. Even better, follow @littlefootventures on Instagram for a chance to win this beautiful book for free. Homa and I were introduced when we were both pregnant with our first babies, building our companies side by side, and have been dear friends ever since navigating both motherhood and the food world together. Her mind and spirit are buck wild, more creative, intricate and poetic than anyone I’ve met. Try her beautiful products and read her book and you’ll know what I mean.

How are you? What’s going on in your world? I’d love to know. As always thank you for your continued partnership.

Warmly,
Eva

• Follow Littlefoot Ventures on Instagram and LinkedIn
• Register for the March 15th climate x food event
• Express your interest in the mentorship services

What I’m Reading

Oatly Launches Climate Footprint Labels in the US – Bloomberg
The first climate labels will appear on the Oatly’s strawberry, peach, plain and mixed berry dairy-free yogurts, called Oatgurts. Oatly’s climate footprint calculation includes the impact of agricultural inputs, transport, manufacturing, processing, packaging and distribution.

Patagonia uses capitalism to save the planet with the Holdfast Collective – Fast Company
HoldFast Collective, a new brand created by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and other outdoor industry veterans, aims to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship through products that are designed to last and can be repaired or recycled.

Monitor: Awareness is still growing, but upcycled products are an easy sell – New Hope
As awareness of upcycling increases, consumers are willing to pay extra for goods made with ingredients that were diverted from the waste stream.

Albertsons launches ‘Sincerely’ campaign spotlighting fresh produce, food – The Packer
Albertsons has launched a new “Sincerely” campaign to spotlight their commitment to fresh produce and sustainable sourcing practices. The campaign includes a series of ads and messaging aimed at promoting the importance of fresh produce and supporting local growers.

‘Retailers’ obsession with price is main cause of produce shortages’ – Fresh Produce Journal
GSCOP expert and former senior Asda buyer Ged Futter says the current supply shortages at UK supermarkets are down in large part to retailers’ all-consuming focus on price. By pushing down prices, retailers often encourage suppliers to cut corners, resulting in reduced yields, increased waste, and other issues that can lead to supply chain disruptions.

The Misfits Market 2022 Annual Report – Misfits Market
Misfits Market’s 2022 Annual Report highlights the company’s continued growth and expansion, including reaching new markets and introducing new products. They made significant strides in sustainability efforts, with a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and expanding their composting program.

Want to curb climate change? Buy less-than-perfect produce and go easy on pesticides, researchers say – The Packer
PAN North America’s “Pesticides and Climate Change: A Vicious Cycle” study highlights the positive impact of retailers embracing less-than-perfect fruits and vegetables and growers embracing agroecological farming methods and lessen dependence on synthetic pesticides.

Which food is better for the planet? – Washington Post
This article explores the environmental impact of food production, including its contribution to climate change, water scarcity, and loss of wildlife habitat. It includes an interactive graphic that allows readers to visualize the impact of different food choices on these environmental factors.

[Podcast] Food System Reimagined – Food Dive
A podcast series dedicated to bringing insight into the rapidly changing food system and what these changes could mean for business. In this three-part series, they speak to food industry experts about how to provide value in a food system that’s being reshaped by evolving consumer demands, sustainable planet-friendly initiatives, and more connected ecosystems.

Finding and creating value in food waste – Food Dive
The article discusses how food waste can be transformed into a valuable resource, both in terms of economic and environmental benefits. It highlights various approaches and initiatives being taken by companies and organizations to address the issue of food waste and create value from it.

New Report Examines Consumer Food Waste Behaviors – Waste 360
A new report from the Waste and Resources Action Programme examines consumer food waste behaviors in the United States. The report found that while most consumers are aware of the problem of food waste, they often lack the knowledge and tools to reduce their own waste.

Mayor Adams Announces Roadmap for Nation’s Largest Compost Collection Program – NYC Mayor’s Office
Mayor Adams’ new compost collection program will be rolled out in the next 20 months. This is the first-ever plan and commitment to reach 100% coverage citywide, providing residents with simple, universal weekly collection of leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper products.

How can we use tech and data solutions to end food waste? – Radical Reinvention: Modernizing the World’s Supply Chains
In this podcast episode, Giulia Stellari, director for ESG and impact at Fall Line Capital, and Jackie Suggitt, director of capital, innovation and engagement at ReFED discuss how technology and data solutions can help to reduce food waste throughout the supply chain. They also emphasize the importance of collaboration and education in addressing the problem of food waste.

Divert bags $100M growth equity, $1B financing to tackle grocery store food waste – TechCrunch
Divert uses technology to track and analyze food waste, enabling stores to make data-driven decisions that reduce waste and save money. They have raised $100 million in growth equity financing and secured $1 billion in financing to support its mission.

This app is tackling food insecurity and reducing grocery store waste – Fast Company
Canadian start-up, Flashfood, helps reduce food waste and improve food security in local communities partnering with grocery stores to sell surplus food at a discount. They sell food that is nearing its expiration date through its app.

Afresh Technologies moves beyond fruits and vegetables – Grocery Dive
Afresh Technologies, a company that uses AI to help grocers manage their fresh food inventory, is expanding beyond fruits and vegetables to include meat and seafood. The technology analyzes data to predict demand and optimize inventory, reducing waste and improving profitability for retailers.

USDA wants healthier school lunches. Here’s why officials say it may not become a reality – USA Today
New federal rules propose less sugar and salt in food served at public schools. The USDA’s rules would require schools to make the changes over the next six years. The department is now taking feedback on its proposal before finalizing its plans.

The Future of People, Planet, and Profit – The Future Market
Capitalism and the financial markets are not yet structured to financially reward companies who do good in the world. This is the central problem with our economy that we will need to solve.