YEAR IN R E VIEW 20 PROGRESS is not PATIENT 20 Impatient optimism. WHAT’S

Groundbreaking progress. INSIDE GFI organizations in key global Dear Friends, 4 Who regions Five years ago, GFI’s goal to reimagine protein was a daring vision. The Impossible we are 6 Burger did not exist. Neither did the Beyond Burger. A total of three cultivated meat companies had names, but none had incorporated and only one had raised any money. No major meat company had considered launching their own alt protein brand. With the GFI-funded projects exception of the Netherlands, there was zero government funding for cultivated meat Moving toward a more that supported R&D and less than $500K in public funds for plant-based meat research. Regulatory the work of 100+ sustainable way to approval for cultivated meat was in doubt. researchers on five feed the world is continents Yet here we are today. Plant-based meat has moved beyond the natural food section 6 Our global 38 a huge piece of the and is taking fast food by storm. The world’s biggest meat companies have identified plant-based meat, cultivated meat, and other alternative proteins as opportunities to mission climate puzzle. With achieve near-term commercial success. And the United States, Singapore, Israel, and animal agriculture the European Union have begun to invest public funds in alternative protein science. countries from which GFI’s accounting for For the past five years, your support has fueled GFI’s work to build a better future. donors hail 14.5 percent of global You’re helping us convene and connect scientists, students, and entrepreneurs to hasten technological progress and workforce development. You’re bolstering our greenhouse gas abilities to translate data and science into insights, opportunities, and solutions. You’re 65 emissions, supporting helping us inspire policymakers, corporate leaders, investors, and changemakers everywhere to embrace this work now, not in the future. 8 Influencing GFI’s work is public policy essential and urgent.” This past year emphasized urgent challenges regarding food security, climate, and . Alternative proteins, specifically plant-based and cultivated meat, represent participants in multisolving at its global best. In that spirit, we invite you to soak up our 2020 year in the world’s first AILEEN GETTY review, keeping in mind three undeniable facts: international fermentation and SARAH EZZY, 1. Our progress is 100 percent attributable to you. summit Aileen Getty Foundation 2. The work to date is not enough. Increased funding for science is the key to unlocking 1,557 the sustainable, secure, and just food future we know is possible. 3. Success is not inevitable. It will take all of us to create the conditions necessary for the day when alternative proteins are no longer alternative. Building Whether you have been with us from the beginning or have just joined our global family 12 of supporters, we are incredibly grateful to you for making all we do possible. a scientific ecosystem media hits, quotes, Onward! and op-eds designed to grow public support With gratitude and heartfelt optimism, and political will for 5,000+ alternative proteins

Influencing Sanah Baig 16 multisector Co-founder & Chief of Staff the for-profit participants worldwide Executive across 50+ GFI-hosted Director sector webinars, workshops, Cover photos courtesy of seminars, and other Meati, Beyond Meat, and 12,000+ events Wild Type (left to right)

2 gfi.org 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 3 Cultivated shrimp dumplings Our by Shiok WHO difference Meats Our mission As a nonprofit, we share our expertise freely. We take We are developing the roadmap for a global, cross-sector, long- a sustainable, secure, and just protein term perspective. We focus our supply. We identify the most effective efforts to advance alternative solutions, mobilize resources and talent, protein development where and empower partners across the food companies and governments system to make alternative proteins can’t or don’t (yet). accessible, affordable, and delicious.

WE Science Policy OUR Industry PROGRAMMATIC PILLARS Plant-based meat Cultivated meat Our vision THE Fermentation ARE ALTERNATIVE A world where PROTEIN alternative proteins are LANDSCAPE no longer alternative. Our values

• We believe change is possible. • We do the most good we can. • We share knowledge freely. • We act on evidence. • We invite everyone to the table. YOUR GIFT, YOUR IMPACT FIVE FOR FIVE: ACE TOP CHARITY

GFI takes your generosity seriously. For every For the fifth year in a row, Animal Charity Evaluators (ACE) has $100 donor contribution, 82 percent goes directly named GFI a top charity, highlighting our global scope and impact. toward fostering scientific innovation, influencing GFI’s work is focused on accelerating the growth and development GFI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governmental and policy changes, and engaging of alternative proteins that are more sustainable, better for global corporations in improving and growing their plant- health, and far less adverse to the climate. Of course, this also helps working internationally to make based and cultivated meat offerings. We spend animals. ACE’s thorough review of GFI’s strategy, impact, leadership, the global food system better for just five cents to raise a dollar. This means your and culture confirms that a gift to GFI is one of the most effective investment pays dividends as we work together ways to transform our current food system and contribute to the the planet, people, and animals. to build a healthier planet. flourishing of our planet, people, and animals.

4 gfi.org 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 5 In our interconnected world, The ripple effect GFI is at the center of a new Our global innovation anywhere can accelerate is clear, and we movement to change the progress everywhere. When you couldn’t create it way the world eats. The mission, our help us spark open-access research without you. organization is making at a university in Europe, this work a positive impact on international reaches our partners in Israel government policies, and Brazil and then shows up on corporate research focus, presence people’s plates around the world. and the world of food science. I am proud to be

EUROPE part of the GFI community.” GFI is based in Europe is home to many of the top MAX BAZERMAN the most critical universities that made some of the earliest advances in cultivated Straus professor, meat R&D. European governments economies have some of the most ambitious Harvard Business School commitments to addressing UNITED STATES (WHERE GFI for alt protein , antibiotic BEGAN) resistance, and other global harms.

advancement. The United States is home to three of the world’s four largest meat companies ISRAEL and many of the world’s top universities for biotech, agriculture, and science. Israel is a world leader in the technologies required for alt The United States is also one of the proteins, with a robust infrastructure in stem-cell research, world’s leading government funders of tissue engineering, microbiology, plant sciences, and agricultural science and climate research, nanotechnology. Known as the “Startup Nation,” Israel is but almost none of the funding is used among the most conducive environments for entrepreneurs to for alt protein R&D (yet!). U.S. regulatory pursue alt protein innovation. The alt protein field and GFI’s status can influence a food’s status theory of change have many supporters among Israeli decision- in other countries. makers in business, policy, and academia.

INDIA ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)

BRAZIL India will be one of the biggest Public funding for agricultural research drivers of increasing meat in the region is more than twice that in Brazil is a top meat exporter and consumption in the coming the United States, driving innovations at home to the world’s largest meat decades. India has top APAC’s world-class universities. China company and the world’s largest agricultural universities, a deep has declared its intention to lead the Our global ground beef company. Cattle scientific talent pool, and a world on mitigating climate change grazing and feed production drive government that is committed and has invested heavily in climate objectives most Amazon deforestation, with to solving the problems of science. China also spends far more on devastating effects on indigenous malnutrition using alternatives to agricultural R&D than any other country. communities and the climate. conventional meat production. Singapore’s commitment to supporting GFI influences public policy and secures 1 Brazil boasts one of the world’s India’s farming economy and alt proteins is a case study. In 2020, government funding in support of alternative most important public agricultural indigenous crop diversity make Singapore’s government was the first proteins. research institutions—EMBRAPA the subcontinent an important in the world to approve the sale of (Brazilian Agricultural Research sourcing base for plant-based cultivated meat (see page 9). GFI fosters a strong open-access alternative 2 Corporation)—and other relevant protein ingredients. protein research and training ecosystem. public research institutes.

3 GFI influences the for-profit sector to prioritize alternative proteins.

6 gfi.org 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 7 Policy progress GFI HOSTS A CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING Influencing ON ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS doesn’t pause On the heels of the announcement of the NSF grant to the public policy during a pandemic. University of California at Davis, GFI hosted a virtual briefing with U.S. representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Ted Deutch (D-FL), and Susan Wild (D-PA) to discuss how the growing NSF FUNDS CULTIVATED MEAT and securing alternative protein industry can boost economic growth and RESEARCH spur job creation. GFI policy director Jessica Almy led a panel addressing staff from more than 30 congressional offices. government In September 2020, University of California at Davis professor David Block, an alum of GFI’s research grant funding program, secured a $3.55 million research grant from the National Science We’re recruiting advocates Foundation (NSF) to explore the long-term sustainability and commercial viability of in governments around the cultivated meat. This is the first time the NSF has funded cultivated world. meat research. GFI Israel managing director Nir Goldstein presenting GFI’s policy plan to the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, SINGAPORE APPROVES THE SALE OF CULTIVATED at the cultivated meat tasting event The GFI team, led by Dr. Elliot MEAT Swartz, helped write the grant, and Dr. Swartz will serve as a In December 2020, the Singapore government approved the In December 2020, GFI Israel coordinated a cultivated meat member of the researchers’ sale of Eat Just’s cultivated chicken bites. This is a global tasting with Aleph Farms for the prime minister of Israel, external scientific advisory first. For the past three years, GFI has been working with the Benjamin Netanyahu. GFI Israel managing director Nir Goldstein board. The project developed Singapore government on establishing regulatory oversight and described our work, presented our GFI-led national policy plan, out of the Cultivated Meat a clear path to market. Members from our SciTech, Policy, and and answered the PM’s questions about Israel’s competitive Consortium, which GFI helped APAC teams have been cultivating deep ties across government advantage. At the event, Netanyahu’s support was clear: “I can’t establish. The research will focus agencies, including the Singapore Food Agency. Singapore’s taste the difference. I have directed the state secretary Tzahi on every aspect of cultivated meat approval is a monumental step for the cultivated meat industry, Braverman to appoint a coordinator to serve these industries in and could have a large-scale impact on and we are leveraging Singapore’s actions to encourage other order to connect and oversee all the stakeholders operating in the commercialization of cost-competitive governments to prioritize funding and regulatory approval for this field. Israel will become a powerhouse for alternative meat cultivated meat. Eat Just’s cultivated alternative proteins. and alternative protein.” chicken bites, which “GFI’s grant enabled my lab to break debuted in Singapore in GFI ISRAEL’S INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC POLICY Netanyahu is the first global leader to taste cultivated meat.

OBJECTIVE ground in cultivated meat research December 2020 | Photo The tasting marked a significant milestone in GFI Israel’s courtesy of Eat Just Inc. and formulate a plan to address critical GFI Israel continues to mobilize and advance support for ongoing strategic work to foster government support for industry challenges,” said Professor Block. alternative protein innovations at the highest levels of the alternative proteins. Israeli government.

GFI is leading the charge in advancing the alternative protein industry. They have a top-notch team. I have enjoyed participating in GFI-organized has been approved for Food Technology: The protein alternative for a better future consumers for the first time congressional briefings and speaking “In close collaboration with the Good Food Institute Israel, “‘We are hoping and expecting that the U.S., the Israeli Innovation Authority has recently opened new alongside other innovators at their China, and the EU will pick up the gauntlet that funding tracks tailored to local start-ups and mature companies Singapore just threw down,’ says Bruce Friedrich, developing innovative technologies in the alternative protein conferences.” executive director of the Good Food Institute. space. Beyond the financial backing offered to selected ‘We need a space-race-type commitment toward companies to fund R&D efforts, the tracks include a wide making meat from plants or growing it from cells. array of resources and partnerships with leading researchers DR. LISA DYSON 1... Nothing is more important for the climate than in academia and with local and global food producers to help a shift away from industrial animal agriculture.’” accelerate innovation.” CEO, Air Protein

8 gfi.org 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 9 Influencing VIRGINIA GOVERNOR VETOES DAIRY LABEL CENSORSHIP public We know sensible labeling After GFI’s advocacy to all three branches of Virginia’s government, policy speeds consumer adoption. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) vetoed a bill that would have prohibited plant-based milk producers from using the word “milk” on their labels—his only veto out

OBJECTIVE of 1,000+ bills. Governor Northam employed GFI’s First Amendment talking 1 EUROPE’S BAN FAILS points in his veto justification: From veggie steaks to soy sausages, Europeans have enjoyed “While the Governor is very supportive of the dairy industry, he is plant-based meat for decades. concerned this bill is unconstitutional and could violate commercial freedom of speech,” spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said In October 2020, however, the European Parliament considered a in a written statement. proposal to ban the alternative protein sector’s use of words like “burger,” “sausage,” “steak,” and “chicken.” If this had passed, A snapshot of the GFI Europe watch party at the moment alternative protein producers across the European Union’s single the veggie ban was voted down market, with 447.7 million consumers, could no longer have Alt proteins should be printed labels describing what we know and love as plant-based burgers and sausages. center stage as a solution GFI Europe helped lead the fight against the “veggie burger to global problems. ban,” which led to a successful vote in favor of clarity and against censorship. To win, we engaged with European parliamentarians and mobilized other influential GFI BRINGS THE FUTURE OF FOOD TO TEDX GATEWAY, MUMBAI GFI Europe was crucial in actors in civil society and the private sector to join the fight. In February, GFI executive director Bruce Friedrich traveled to India courtesy setting up the European of TEDxGateway, the largest TED event in the world. Bruce made the case, Alliance for Plant-Based GFI Europe co-founded the before an influential audience of 5,000, that governments should invest in European Alliance for Plant-Based plant-based and cultivated meat. Foods and was a key Foods and led efforts to convene player in our joint fight a group of NGOs that together After his presentation, Friedrich and GFI India managing director secured more than 200 media Varun Deshpande met with Indian investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers on the veggie burger hits in the run-up to the vote. about the transformative potential and impact of GFI India’s work. They also ban, bringing valuable These coalitions had direct or met with Mrs. Poonam Mahajan, a prominent member of the Parliament of indirect contact with 84 of the India, to enlist her help in bolstering India’s alternative protein ecosystem. insights and network 148 members of the European connections to advance Parliament who eventually our case.” voted against the ban.

SISKA POTTIE Secretary General, European Alliance for Plant-Based Foods

Veggie sausage debate more important than Tofurky suing Louisiana over state law Brexit trade deal “It’s absurd that Louisiana’s elected officials are spending their “Banning common terms like ‘veggie burger’ time on the imaginary crisis of people confusing veggie burgers is a patronizing move that threatens to cause for beef burgers. Consumers deserve better than lawmakers passing GFI executive director Bruce Friedrich speaking at the confusion where none exists, as companies condescending laws that try to dictate what Louisianans buy. Consumers TEDxGateway event in February 2020 would be forced to use unfamiliar terms to are no more likely to believe that ‘veggie burgers’ contain cow meat than describe their products.” Girl Scout cookies contain Girl Scouts.”

—Ellie Walden, GFI Europe policy manager —Jessica Almy, GFI director of policy 10 gfi.org 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 11 Building a robust Open-access, foundational Our Sustainable My passion for ocean science is building Seafood Initiative conservation is what ecosystem for led me to support GFI’s momentum. ushers in the Sustainable Seafood alternative protein GFI is growing a robust ecosystem in which plant-based and next wave of Initiative. Alternative cultivated meat companies and consumers can thrive. From research and development to education and training, we’re innovation. seafood is a key solution to research and recruiting more students and innovators to the field, connecting some of our oceans’ most them with opportunities, and shining a light on their successes. KEY PARTNERSHIPS EXPAND ACCESS TO CELL LINES pressing challenges, and GFI training is accelerating the entire RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS 21 GROUND- Building on groundwork laid in 2019, GFI BREAKING PROJECTS gave cultivated seafood a boost in 2020 by sector.” signing a landmark partnership agreement In 2020, two generous donors made gifts to our Competitive with Kerafast to create a cultivated Research Grant Program, which enabled GFI to grant $5 million seafood cell line repository. KATHLYN TAN to projects that bridge key gaps in alternative protein research. In Director, Rumah Group March 2020, we announced eight research projects focused on With their unique lab-made research tools, cultivated meat and 13 focused on plant-based meat. reagents company Kerafast advances & Foundation scientific research by providing difficult- GFI partnered with an international team of external experts to to-access bioresearch materials to the evaluate and select the grant recipients, who span nine countries global scientific community. across four continents. The Competitive Research Grant Program Bethencourt. “Soon companies will be able is seeding important open-access research that not only directly GFI connected Kerafast with several to order meat and seafood cell lines to start supports growth in the sector but also unlocks additional funding researchers and companies that are developing new products based on different from foundations, philanthropists, and government entities. interested in depositing cell lines in the cell-based meat lines. … This new capability OBJECTIVE repository, including Shiok Meats (shrimp); shifts the technological arms race to a new In Israel and Brazil, GFI’s grants have established us as a Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute; stage very similar to the early personal valuable partner in R&D and thus helped build relationships with Cell Farm (cow); TurtleTree (goat, sheep, computer era.” government officials, often at the highest levels. In the United cow, camel); and Francesco Buonocore, States, on-campus lectures from GFI staff at the University of Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo Thanks to gifts from generous ocean-focused Vegan seafood: the next plant-based meat trend? California at Davis sparked excitement around cultivated meat. (European sea bass). donors to fund sustainable seafood R&D, GFI This excitement materialized into an interdisciplinary faculty awarded a grant to Mote Marine Laboratory “[Sustainable Seafood Initiative manager consortium that secured $250,000 from GFI in March 2020 “This is super exciting to see,” said Wild to create cell lines from redfish (Sciaenops Jen] Lamy is particularly enthusiastic and then $3.55 million from the National Science Foundation in Earth and IndieBio co-founder Ryan ocellatus) and whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus about partnerships between established September 2020. (See pages 8 and 9 for more details.) vannamei) embryos. This partnership seafood companies like Bumble Bee (famous for canned tuna) and Good GFI’s support was the catalyst in developing critical cell lines, media Catch (getting more famous for faux GFI PUBLISHES IN TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY formulations, and protocols will accelerate tuna). ‘There’s room for so many more that allowed us to go cultivated seafood globally. entrants in this market. It’s still early from an idea to proof of GFI senior scientist Dr. Elliot Swartz co-authored a days,’ Lamy said.” paper with two scientists from Singapore’s Agency GFI HELPS PLANT- concept. The grant funding, for Science, Technology, and Research titled “The BASED SEAFOOD GET mentorship, and networking Business of Cultured Meat” that was published SUSTAINABILITY and selected as the cover of the June issue of CERTIFICATION support from GFI has been Trends in Biotechnology, a prestigious global invaluable and enabled us peer-reviewed biotech journal. The World Sustainability Modernizing meat production will help us Organization, in partnership avoid pandemics to achieve the crucial first with GFI’s Sustainable Seafood By GFI director of science and technology Initiative, announced that it would certify steps in bringing a brand- Dr. Liz Specht new alternative protein plant-based seafood products under a gold- level version of its Friend of the Sea program. “Meat is increasingly recognized as a source to market.” The certification officially recognizes plant- sensory experience, characterized by a based seafood as seafood, enhancing specific combination of amino acids, fats, and minerals rather than by its means of the sector’s ability to attract conscious 2 production. No animal has to be farmed or BETH ZOTTER consumers to new, more sustainable forms hunted and no disease has to be risked to GFI research grantee Amanda Stiles of fish and shellfish. enjoy a juicy burger or a crispy nugget.” Co-founder and CEO, Trophic LLC examining red seaweed protein

12 gfi.org 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 13 Building We’re connecting today’s innovators. We’re inspiring tomorrow’s a scientific ecosystem Together, we go further, faster. innovators, building the future talent so urgently OBJECTIVE 2 EXPANDING OUR GFIDEAS only roundtables, and moderation of a needed. COMMUNITY global Slack community. These events create vital spaces for shared learning Over the past three years, the Good and support for our GFIdeas community THE ALT PROTEIN PROJECT Food Ideas (GFIdeas) community has members across the fast-paced and connected countless entrepreneurs quickly evolving alternative protein field. GFI’s SciTech team is focused not only on engaging today’s with collaborators, funding, and innovators but on building the next generation of alternative business guidance to help turn GFIdeas is breaking down silos, protein leaders. In February, we launched The Alt Protein Project, their ideas into reality. In 2020, we facilitating more-effective information a global community of campus groups that provides students realized that our scientific network sharing, and multiplying the impact and researchers the opportunity to explore applications of their needed community and support in the of our programmatic efforts. We are academic interests to alternative proteins. same way. Further, our entrepreneur building a diverse, inclusive community community needed scientific expertise for discussing ideas, exploring technical The program has groups at 10 universities already: University of > Visit gfi.org/events in order to break new ground. challenges, and sparking collaborations California at Berkeley, University of California at Davis, University around the globe. to see upcoming events. of Colorado at Boulder, University of North Carolina at Chapel So last year we invited scientists Hill, Stanford University, Tel Aviv University in Israel, Wageningen The Alt Protein Project student group at the to join the GFIdeas community. GFI’S ONLINE COURSE BRINGS University in the Netherlands, KU Leuven in Belgium, TU Berlin in University of Colorado Boulder By expanding the GFIdeas community, NEW TALENT TO THE FIELD Germany, and the BioSense Institute in Serbia. we are fostering connections within the research community In just a year’s time, enrollment for GFI’s Michelle Hauser, PhD candidate in tissue engineering at Tel Aviv and across the entrepreneurial and award-winning massive open online University, said: “It is so inspiring to be a part of such a passionate scientific landscapes. course, “New Meat: The Science Behind community working together to efficiently make the world a more Scalable Alternatives to Animal Products,” sustainable and humane place. As students, we are in the position In just six months, we welcomed has grown to nearly 6,500. This MOOC to influence and shape the research done in academia from the more than 1,100 new members draws a wide variety of participants, inside. I believe we can help direct it to accelerate the alt protein from 45 different countries to including students, scientists, revolution, and this is what our student group aims for.” Fermentation can help build a more efficient the community. Regular entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, and sustainable food system—here’s how programming includes with the common goal of learning more Thanks to donor support for this project, we will continue to inspire By Natalia Suescun Pozas, WEF and Caroline monthly business about the science of plant-based and and develop alternative protein innovators of tomorrow. Bushnell, GFI and scientific cultivated meat. And it has garnered seminars, national attention and recognition from “Enter alternative proteins—which not only founders- both Business Insider and Fast Company. have the ability to vastly improve our food system, mitigate the impact of food production Having worked with GFI as an on climate change and greatly improve public health, but also hold tremendous entrepreneur, presenter, opportunities for innovation, investment and and supporter, I’ve GFI’s SciTech program is economic growth.” seen firsthand that their GFIDEAS one of my foundation’s

expertise, programs, and MEMBERS most impactful philanthropy brimming enthusiasm 1300+ TOTAL:* causes. GFI’s far-reaching are a key catalyst to the scientists efforts to advance the science of A carbon-neutral future can still be 635 delicious entrepreneurial and entrepreneurs alternative proteins give me hope 586 By Sanah Baig, GFI chief of staff scientific momentum within we can stem the environmental 305 students “According to the University of Michigan, the the alternative protein and humanitarian issues facing Beyond Burger requires 93% less land than consultants a beef burger. With more land, we can grow industry.” 242 this planet.” enough food to feed our growing population and still allow hundreds of millions of acres 163 investors to return to carbon-storing forests. What CHRIS BRYSON LAURIE MCGRATH better way to slash our carbon footprints and *Some members are classified reverse climate change than over a burger? gfi.org Entrepreneur and philanthropist in multiple categories. President, McGrath Family Foundation Just make sure it’s plant-based.”

14 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 15 That is why in 2020, we significantly GFI’s fermentation report is one of increased our—and the industry’s—focus on fermentation, recognizing it as the third the rare documents that I’ve pillar of the alt protein industry, and published printed out to read thoroughly. our first-ever state of the industry report on fermentation. I also encouraged my team Influencing the to read it!” GFI CONVENES THE FIELD AROUND FERMENTATION for-profit sector TIM INGMIRE Thomas Jonas, CEO of Nature’s Fynd, said: “For the first time, someone articulated a full, sector-wide view of Head of R&D, Foods to prioritize the space and clarified the different types of fermentation. [GFI’s] work is going to put on the map a fact that people alternative have completely missed, which is that fermentation is rapidly becoming the number one tech in terms of investments towards proteins new proteins.” We also held our first virtual symposium on fermentation, attracting nearly 2,000 attendees, including heads of many for- profit companies.

Fermentation GFI affiliates spur global promises progress. incredible efficiency and BRAZIL LEADS NEXT GEN OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY Home to the world’s largest meat company, Brazil is also quickly utility for alt GFI Brazil team becoming a burgeoning plant-based meat, egg, and dairy members Gus Guadagnini protein innovation. producer. This is due to the work of the GFI Brazil team with the and Raquel Casselli speaking Brazilian government and our relationships with many major at Horizonte 20 Food OBJECTIVE food companies, including JBS. FERMENTATION BECOMES THE THIRD PILLAR OF ALT PROTEINS In January 2020, GFI Brazil managing director Gus Guadagnini spoke on a panel alongside JBS and MAPA, the Brazilian Plant-based and cultivated meat have equivalent of the USDA, at Horizonte 20 Food. This innovation I’ve not eaten KFC since the 80s. Its plant-based nuggets will change that. been recognized as two pillars of event focused on the next decade of food technology in Brazil. Since then, GFI Brazil has strengthened its relationships with the alternative protein industry, but By Bruce Friedrich, GFI executive director fermentation is now emerging as a Brazilian meat companies and the government to accelerate the key alternative protein platform in its growth of the alt protein landscape. “For anyone who cares about the footprint of industrial animal agriculture, own right. we should applaud KFC’s decision to launch a plant-based chicken In August, JBS developed three new plant-based products that entree and to grow chicken from cells without the external costs of farms and slaughterhouses.” New applications of fermentation as a will launch in Brazil: pulled pork, fish sticks, and cod. Our U.S. Everything about this primary source of proteins and as an corporate engagement team worked with JBS on their global is giving me life.” enabler for both plant-based products and alternative protein strategy, which resulted in the launch of a cultivated meat show incredible promise dedicated plant-based food company, Planterra Foods. for the future of alternative proteins. Animals can’t be the only way to transform plants into meat “We’re able to reach this level and anticipate global trends DAVID ZILBER Harnessing fermentation’s ability to produce protein efficiently and sustainably thanks to an immersion in the market, made possible through By Caroline Bushnell, GFI director of corporate engagement, and Dr. Liz Former head of the Noma could help feed the world and greatly our partnership with GFI,” said Rafael Palmer, marketing Specht, GFI director of science and technology alleviate global malnutrition. director at JBS. “The collaboration provided important insights Fermentation Lab, into the industry that help us make decisions and continuously “Making meat directly from plants could end our reliance on operations, which are a hotbed for disease emergence. assess our strategy. We see this as fundamental in order to participant in GFI’s inaugural The most recent example of the inherent inefficiency and vulnerability of keep aligned with our mission to deliver food with great taste industrial animal agriculture is African swine fever. ... This isn’t the first fermentation summit and quality.” global disease to impact our food supply, and it won’t be the last.” 316 gfi.org 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 17 Influencing You know a better food future is the for- SMART PROTEIN SUMMIT: TAKING INDIA FROM achievable. We’re partnering with SCARCITY TO ABUNDANCE profit GFI’s unique theory of change sector GFI India’s second annual Smart Protein Summit

OBJECTIVE industry to forge new pathways to convened more than 1,500 virtual attendees leads me to believe they 3 global solutions. and 80 speakers (a virtual who’s who of can succeed in changing alternative protein in India and around the world), including former Pepsi CEO and the world via supply-side GFI APAC HOSTS THE INAUGURAL LAUNCH OF IMAGINE MEATS GFI friend Indra Nooyi, who delivered the economic levers. I believe ASIA SUMMIT ON ALTERNATIVE keynote address. PROTEINS India’s most high-profile plant-based food they have substantial startup, Imagine Meats, has a Bollywood The 2020 summit articulated our vision room to deploy additional Experts estimate that 31 percent of the connection. Actors Genelia and Riteish for the protein supply of the next decade— growth of global protein consumption Deshmukh launched Imagine Meats in one that stewards planetary health, tackles philanthropic funding between 2018 and 2025 will come from 2020 with the help of GFI. malnutrition, benefits farmers, and creates jobs towards this vision.” China and 13 percent from the rest of the for millions. Asia Pacific region. This is why Asia Pacific GFI India managing director Varun is such an important piece of the protein Deshpande invited Bollywood actors GFI India managing director Varun Deshpande ROSS RHEINGANS-YOO puzzle and the impetus behind the Asia Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh to the explained: “In India and in other parts of the Summit on Alternative Proteins (ASAP). Good Food Conference, introduced them developing world, the story of the smart protein sector Research economist, quantitative to key industry contacts, and took them on is still being written. And as we grapple with the effects trader, effective altruist In August, GFI APAC convened the a tour of some of the pioneering players in of the novel coronavirus, it’s clear that we can’t afford to inaugural ASAP, experienced by more the Bay Area. GFI India has been working settle for anything less than a paradigm shift.” than 1,500 attendees representing with Genelia and Riteish ever since, food, finance, and biotech industries in introducing them to manufacturer ADM, The conference gave GFI India an opportunity to announce 50 countries. Featuring live-streamed their partner for Imagine Meats. two high-impact partnerships. The former head of JM content, public sessions, private Morgan Stanley is building an investment firm for alternative roundtables, and networking among Imagine Meats is only one of dozens protein startups in India, with the assistance of GFI India. industry stakeholders, the virtual meeting of companies bolstered by GFI India’s Additionally, the World Economic Forum, GFI India, and took participants on a deep dive into the critical support as they lay the foundation other industry partners will launch a forum in India for the Asia Pacific region’s booming alternative of the Indian alt protein industry. alternative protein industry. protein sector.

The summit organizers COVID-19 is accelerating the rise of faux were not afraid to tackle meat. challenging topics head- “The facilities processing plant-based meat on, including busting ingredients are cleaner, they’re safer, they’re more highly automated. Extruders can turn the biggest myths in ingredients into meat.”

the Asian alternative —Caroline Bushnell, GFI director of corporate protein ecosystem and engagement what sustainability really means for the alternative

protein sector. Bring on As COVID-19 spreads, the meat industry’s ASAP 2021!” supply chain breaks “[GFI’s Bruce Friedrich] said that before the pandemic, plant-based meat companies The GFI Asia Pacific team hosting were already scaling up to meet increased ROSIE WARDLE the inaugural Asia Summit on demand, but that they are quicker to respond Alternative Proteins Co-founder and partner, to world events than more conventional animal Synthesis Capital agriculture.”

18 gfi.org 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 19 P OG E S S C ANNO A I

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