Upcycling to a circular food system

Food Science and TechnologyVolume 35, Issue 3 p. 48-51 FeaturesFree Access Upcycling to a circular food system First published: 16 September 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/fsat.3503_12.xAboutSectionsPDF ToolsExport citationAdd favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text full-text accessPlease review our Terms Conditions of Use check box below share version article.I have read accept the Wiley Online Library UseShareable LinkUse link this article with your friends colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Steven M. Finn University Pennsylvania Leanpath Sara Roversi from Future Institute, Italy, discuss important role that upcycling byproducts waste can play in achieving more sustainable economy. Background It is hard overstate central critical nature lives. We cannot survive without yet between one-third one-half global production lost or wasted annually extreme detriment people planet. How we substantially reduce waste, beginning near-term Sustainable Development Goal1 cutting half by 2030, one defining challenges facing humanity – which must be achieved if are sustainably feed nearly 10bn citizens 2050. Sadly, developed world touch value resources post-war era, regressing culture responsibility towards (where frugality was driven necessity) today's abundance, where excessive reinforces cycle consumption waste. In an environment ubiquitous, relatively inexpensive easily disposed of, expectations visual perfection large portions high, normalised high levels disregard for food-insecure environment. More than 80% US occurs consumer-facing businesses home2. The great irony while depend on survival, exorbitantly wasteful increasingly threatens survival. level consumes land other scarce resource inputs, squanders water, degrades soils, intensifies warming, pollutes waterways accelerates deforestation biodiversity loss hundreds millions go hungry suffer micronutrient deficiencies. connections clear: food, climate, planetary health human inseparable fix ensure While made some progress last decade terms raising awareness scope scale challenge, 2020 marked start ‘decade action’ But COVID-19 disrupted progress, fact causing even greater as fragility risks tightly-wound supply chains were exposed. Aside worldwide economic harm, real tragedy pandemic it elevating insecurity around pushing into acute hunger. achieve sharp reductions coming years order stem climate change, hunger aid toward multiple Goals. Doing so requires broad deep change consumer behaviour countries will drive retail foodservice operations associated chains. emerging ‘upcycling’ sector shows promise address these issues. fact, (manufacturing byproduct utilisation) ranked ‘top ten’ solution ReFED's recent Insights Engine3. Upcycled Association Founded 2019, comprises over 130 organisations building pioneering work Jonathan Deutsch Drexel Lab dating back several years4. Recognising nonsensical coexistence hunger, has led concerted effort develop viable culinary solutions reduction creating value-added surplus products otherwise-discarded items5. established formal definition upcycled foods: ‘Upcycled foods use ingredients otherwise would not gone consumption, procured produced using verifiable chains, positive impact environment’. burgeoning concept within larger movement new Certification Standard6, complete logo, potential provide added momentum. Upcyclers leading wave breaking age-old linear models, forcing re-think ‘waste’ ‘resource’ advancing higher standard responsible business operations. Transitioning economy companies addressing key problems systems their nature. For centuries, taken resources, something them discarded regard By transforming existing products, naturally promote circularity movement. Due tight linkage many sustainability (emissions, biodiversity, oceans), created At scale, product-level transformation lies at heart also transformational providing bridge regenerative system, usual. Innovation processing technologies Most commitment benefit society cause harm. A wide range innovative been keen problem products. example, Matriark Foods works farmers producers, capturing portion billions pounds edible vegetables never make market due off-spec conditions (cosmetic imperfections sizing variances) along tons fresh-cut vegetable remnants adds herbs spices transform low-sodium, nutritious, shelf-stable broths bases (such schools, hospitals banks), presence well. Each pallet its broth concentrate diverts 1,500lbs landfill makes 80,000 servings broth. Carrot co-founders brewing company ReGrained discovered every six-pack beer they produced, pound spent grain remained began baking bread excess means making money brew free (their early circularity). They quickly brewers produce annually, contains plant protein, prebiotic fiber micronutrients nutritional value. now transforms nutrient-dense flour sold industry ingredient mainstream own line snack puffs market. Brewers’ Regrained Similarly, Coffee Cherry Company patented process dry coffee fruit (the outer skin long harvesting beans roasting) used myriad items, such breads, cakes, muffins, noodles pastas. Millions regions, contributing groundwater pollution emissions. Further, Renewal Mill proprietary mill pulp plant-based milk (soybean pulp, oat almond pulp), producing flours protein California, Treasure8 partnered USDA advanced dehydration technology streams kale, peppers beets) nutritious chips powders. Midwest, NETZRO uses (including infrared heating) reduce, recover, ‘re-harvest’ brewers’ grain, egg shells mixed beneficial Hidden Gems antioxidants avocados contained seeds, too commercial composting brews down seeds flavourings create antioxidant-rich drinks then composts residual material rather sending landfill. 2050 rescues imperfect state-of-the-art drying powders smoothies. cacao production, 70% typically chocolate, reducing earnings harming Scale by-product availability sectors serve raw materials beer, coffee, tofu, cacao, avocados, bananas all ready access win-win partnerships secure input scale. Barnana, eliminate organic Latin American farms ‘imperfect’ items banana-based snacks, already 1m since inception. found avocado large, ‘scale down’ process. Ugly Company, upcycles ‘ugly’ (imperfect) healthy dried notes California discards peaches state Georgia produces annually. Spudsy, converts sweet potatoes puffs, explains 150m landfills cosmetic imperfections; track upcycle 2021. report WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) concludes UK households 20m whole slices each day translates 7.3bn annually7. replace virgin barley, Toast Ale claims saved 2m equivalent 42 metric tonnes CO2 Stories, inspiration, learning, innovation education powerful tools being employed engage consumers. Engaging consumers Creative models optimise usage help mindset Combine spirit fun, sense audacity, compassion incredible you makings compelling force rebuilding sustainable, equitable system. There captivating element fun running through businesses, evidenced creative names (Hidden Beverage Co., Happy Moose Juice, Pickle, Spudsy Confetti Snacks) elevated websites messaging. These bringing creativity sensemaking Their message part transformative purchases Enlightened turn raise producers retailers, rewarding those demonstrate environmental social shared pursuing quest maximise financial shareholders. educate about process, inspiring behaviours home sparking understanding processes and, broadly, circularity, food. nutritive pointing out annual results 16m provides online calculator showing cherry short, connect distant who morning coffee. emissions, water savings generates place barley beers ales. caring Barnana advance additional income small-scale upcycling. IAmGrounded focuses empowerment opportunities impoverished communities extract energy bars. lists benefits ‘found food’ operation strengthening growers’ increased revenue jobs (many filled women), reduced nutrition product; poses question: ‘Are seeing how big is?’ Conclusions helping normalise viewing valuable converting new, changes behaviour, well-positioned costly abundance exists countries, overproduction reinforced overconsumption If truly spark deeper consumers, could powerful, enduring story According NETZRO, current ‘is need entire focused reducing, recovering reharvesting nutrients’. Our ability beyond well future planet demands transformation. quite clear commitments amplify impact. harness amount 2050, strain vast number improve nutrition. meet needs integrating set EAT-Lancet report8. Finn, Leanpath, Beaverton, OR Roversi, Bologna, Italy Email [email protected] Web leanpath.com/futurefood.network/institute/ upcycledfood.org/ References 1Sustainable development goals. http://www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/indicators/1231/en/ 2A roadmap U.S. 20 percent. https://refed.com/downloads/ReFED_Report_2016.pdf 3Explore https://insights-engine.refed.com/solution-database?dataView=total&indicator=us-dollars-profit 4New food: system-sensitive methodology (FSSM) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282203715_New_Sustainable_Market_Opportunities_for_Surplus_Food_A_Food_System-Sensitive_Methodology_FSSM 5From (VASP): Consumer acceptance novel product category. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cb.1689 6Upcycled certification. https://www.upcycledfood.org/certification/ 7Food facts. https://wrap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-11/Food-surplus-and-waste-in-the-UK-key-facts-Jan-2020.pdf 8Food health. https://eatforum.org/content/uploads/2019/01/EAT-Lancet_Commission_Summary_Report.pdf Volume35, Issue3September 2021Pages ReferencesRelatedInformation