Image Credit: Smallhold
Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.
Smallhold’s rise and fall highlights the challenges of scaling tech-driven food ventures, despite VC backing, as it emerges from bankruptcy a shadow of its former self. Bain emphasizes the need for new, faster financing models to build resilient, climate-smart food systems.
In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of our podcast in partnership with AgFunder: New Food Order, a nuanced investigation into the business of tackling our climate and social crises through food and agriculture. Read all about why we launched the podcast, and be sure to subscribe and share!
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1. “You Can’t Eat Technology.” – Adam DeMartino
Lessons from Smallhold’s VC-fueled rise and fall, following its emergence out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy as shadows of the company that was once envisioned.
2. Faster by Design: New Models for Financing the Food Transition – Bain
We know how to build more resilient, climate-smart, and nature-positive food systems, but we must move faster. New models can help.
3. The Weight Loss Hacks That Claim to Work Like Ozempic – NY Times
Kourtney Kardashian’s new “GLP-1 Daily” pill is the latest product to capitalize on the weight loss drug craze.
4. Many Consumers Are Not Familiar with Regenerative Agriculture – The Packer
A Purdue University survey found that most US consumers are unfamiliar with regenerative agriculture, and support for the practice declines when higher costs are involved.
5. Retail and Wholesale Fees and Upcharges 101. – The Checkout
The grocery industry exploits fees and upcharges, benefiting large retailers and wholesalers at the expense of suppliers, small brands and consumers, reinforcing market concentration.
6. Foxtrot Prepares For Its Second Act – Nosh
The retailer will be aligning more closely to a coffeeshop aesthetic while still offering curated CPG food, beverages, beer and wine.
7. Restaurant Math Isn’t Working – Eater
Six chefs and restaurant owners from across the country explain why restaurants feel so expensive right now, and how they’re coping with high prices and customer complaints.
8. Formo Raises $61M Series B, Launches Cheese Alternatives Featuring Koji – AFN
Formo has raised a $61m Series B round and launched cheeses featuring koji protein at REWE, BILLA, and Metro stores across Germany and Austria.
The post You Can’t Eat Technology, New Financing Models for Food Transition + More appeared first on Food+Tech Connect.