Food Loves Tech recap: 5 trends shaping the future of food
This past weekend in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, we joined thousands of food entrepreneurs, chefs, thought leaders, and industry enthusiasts at the annual Food Loves Tech expo, hosted by Edible Manhattan and Edible Brooklyn, for a glimpse into the future of food. The event featured demonstrations from more than 70 companies at the forefront of where food meets technology. In between sampling a variety of our greens and answering questions about how Bowery differs from traditional farming methods and the meaning of “post-organic,” we made sure to check out some of the other companies shaping the future of food. Here are some of the trends we saw:
Lean proteins and plant based products: We’re seeing a number of companies providing healthier meat and dairy options. Whether it’s hormone-free, grass-fed bison from Honest Bison or nutrient packed oatmilk from Oatly, it’s getting easier to find healthy alternatives to your parents’ burger and milkshake.
Convenience: Food companies such as Nima and Daily Harvest are working to make healthy choices more convenient, albeit in very different ways. Nima makes a portable allergy sensor that allows consumers to test their food for gluten in two minutes or less. Daily Harvest is making fresh food more convenient by delivering pre-portioned cups of frozen organic ingredients that you can blend into a smoothie or soup on your own schedule.
Less waste: Reducing food waste is a top priority for us at Bowery, so it was great to see so many other companies at the expo working towards the same. Baldor Specialty Foods, the Northeast’s leading distributor of high-quality, fresh produce, reuses 100 percent of its organic food waste (some 120,000+ pounds per week), and it was inspiring to learn about the 17-year-old founder of GroGreen who is working to turn wasted food into wanted food.
Home gardens: Consumers want to know where their food comes from, and companies like SproutsIO and Seedsheet have developed smart systems that allow individuals to grow produce in their homes. While home gardens won’t entirely replace store bought veggies anytime soon, they are a great way for consumers to supplement their diet with fresh produce and get closer to the food they are eating.
Environmental impact: Companies are looking for innovative ways to reduce their footprint and increase their impact. Proud Pour wants to use wine to make the world a better place by restoring 100 wild oysters into their natural habitat with every bottle of white wine sold, and planting 90 square feet of bee habitat per bottle of red wine sold. At Bowery we use less 95% less water and cut down on food miles, so our greens are as good for the environment as they are for you.
It was encouraging to see a diverse set of companies come together toward the common goal of using technology to build a better food system for a healthier, more sustainable future. The future looks fresh.
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