Meals tech roundup: Plant-based protein eaters nonetheless need it to style like meat

In case you’re adventurous along with your meals, or identical to to maintain up with the fast-moving meals tech trade, right here’s a roundup of TechCrunch tales and a few notable information we weren’t capable of cowl.

Plant-based protein finds a plate in foodservice

The Good Meals Institute final week unveiled some insights round plant-based proteins being utilized in foodservice. Listed here are some highlights:

• 2022 was a robust 12 months: U.S. broadline distributor gross sales of plant-based proteins reached $304 million in 2022, a rise of 8% from pre-pandemic ranges in 2019.
• Something that tastes like animal-based meat is “in”: Analog plant-based proteins — those who most carefully mimic the style and texture of animal-based meat — accounted for 53% of the pound gross sales in 2022, up from 39% in 2019.
• Plant-based protein patrons come many times: Consumers of plant-based meat are typically high-value patrons, making about 30 extra journeys to foodservice places per 12 months, and spending roughly $400 greater than the typical purchaser.

Style is one thing that continues to be a problem. Over the previous 12 months, we reported on plant-based firms engaged on that, together with Black Sheep Meals, Rebellyous, Planetarians, Chunk Meals and the ISH Firm.

As seen in TechCrunch

Mycoprotein producer Sufficient raises €40M towards doubling its manufacturing capability

Making protein out of mushrooms isn’t a brand new idea; nevertheless, Sufficient believes its expertise — and the power to scale manufacturing shortly — will set it aside. The Scotland-based firm grabbed €40 million ($43.5 million) in new progress funding this month to check out that principle.

Meatable sinks its tooth into $35M to speed up launch of its cultivated pork merchandise

One other European firm, Meatable, introduced in $35 million to proceed growing its pork merchandise. Most not too long ago, the corporate boasted a capability to slash the manufacturing time it takes to make fats and muscle from three weeks to eight days. This is because of its expertise and manufacturing measurement — it’s presently capable of attain 500-liter bioreactors and develop cells at 80 million cells per milliliter.

What else I’m studying

Some recent catch: Sustainable seafood startups are the catch of the day. Certainly, learn extra about Bluu Seafood and Aqua Cultured Meals. Buyers additionally had a bit of one thing to say.

Yummy to child’s tummy: Maolac combines AI with breastmilk to make tummies really feel higher. Atone for what Maolac does right here.

Nothing tacky about this: New Tradition efficiently scales fermentation course of to manufacturing volumes. Take a look at some previous TechCrunch protection of New Tradition.

All concerning the cows: Questions for Omeat’s cow plasma extraction farm. Examine Omeat popping out of stealth this 12 months.

In case you have a juicy tip or lead about happenings within the enterprise and meals tech worlds, you may attain Christine Corridor at chall.techcrunch@gmail.com or Sign at 832-862-1051. Anonymity requests can be revered.