Weekly Roundup: AAK’s satellite monitoring targets deforestation

12 Mar 2021 --- This week in industry news, AAK has implemented global satellite monitoring to support zero-deforestation. Canadian food delivery service Vegano completed a US$4.2 million Series A fundraising round, while The Vegan Society revealed that 32 percent of UK consumers say the government should promote vegan diets to address climate issues. Meanwhile, Tesco is targeting food waste, and a global mentorship program for women in the meat industry was launched.

In brief: Business moves
AAK has taken a significant step forward in delivering sustainability commitments by partnering with sustainability tech companies, such as Earthqualizer and Satelligence, which provide high-resolution satellite data. The partnerships allow AAK to monitor its global supply base for palm oil with great accuracy and real-time. This will make it possible to detect signs of deforestation earlier and take immediate action.

32% of UK consumers would get behind plans that actively encourage people to follow plant-based diets.Vegano’s latest investment round brings the company’s funding to US$6 million, since it was founded in March 2020. Its post-money valuation is now at US$14 million. Vegano will use the funding toward its go-to-market strategy, business development and marketing efforts, accelerating new product development, and preparing for the launch of its vegan marketplace this coming April.

In brief: Appointments
Heineken has announced that after a successful tenure as chief financial officer and member of the executive board, Laurence Debroux will step down after its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) on April 22. The supervisory board will nominate Harold van den Broek, currently president of hygiene at Reckitt Benckiser, to be appointed as a member of the executive board and chief financial officer at the company’s AGM for four years.

In brief: Other highlights
New data released by The Vegan Society has shown that a significant number of UK consumers would happily get behind plans and policies that actively encourage people to cut back on their meat, dairy and egg consumption to help the government achieve its climate objectives. While vegan diets eliminate all animal products, plant-based diets focus on eating mostly plants, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. In December 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced ambitious new targets, setting the UK on the path to net-zero by 2050 and leading the way in tackling climate change globally.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the nationwide extension of several waivers that allow all children to continue to receive nutritious meals this summer when schools are out of session. These flexibilities are now available until September 30. USDA is extending these waivers to provide local program operators with clarity and certainty for the summer months ahead when many children cannot access the school meals they depend on during the academic year. Tesco is looking at a return to selling potatoes to help cut down on waste.

On March 8, MEPs debated a report by the legal affairs committee on corporate accountability. The report calls on the European Commission to come up with a law obliging EU companies to address aspects of their value chains that could affect human rights, the environment and good governance. Doing the right thing “does not give businesses a competitive advantage at the moment,” the report argues. The lack of a joint EU-wide approach on this matter could lead to a disadvantage for those companies that are proactive regarding social and environmental issues, it reads. The rules would apply to all large undertakings in the EU and publicly listed small and medium-sized enterprises and those that, for example, share “risky” supply chains with larger companies.

A new mentorship initiative aims to improve women’s career opportunities in the global meat industry and help meat businesses develop a strong pipeline of future female leaders. Created by Meat Business Women, the program enables women working in the meat supply chain anywhere in the world to find a mentor, become a mentor or both. In 2020, Meat Business Women’s research revealed that women make up just 36 percent of the meat industry’s global workforce and hold only 5 percent of chief executive roles.

Fair Trade USA, a certifier of fair trade products in North America, has announced that Kvarøy Arctic, the third-generation sustainable Atlantic salmon producer from Norway, is the first salmon farm globally to receive Fair Trade USA certification after a vetting process of the farm’s social, environmental and economic impacts. The Fair Trade Certified seal will now be carried on all Kvarøy Arctic fresh, frozen, burgers, hot dogs and smoked salmon sold in the US.

In brief: Supermarket highlights
A move to cut down on food waste by selling unwashed potatoes and potentially double their shelf life is being launched by Tesco. Until the 1970s, most UK supermarkets and greengrocers used to sell unwashed potatoes, and by leaving soil on them, it would help block out light and slow down their natural decay. Now Tesco is looking at a return to traditionally selling potatoes and, in doing so, help cut down on what waste advisory action group WRAP say are the UK’s single most wasted food in the home. The supermarket recently ran an initial trial of selling organic white potatoes and is now extending the move. 

Sainsbury’s chief executive, Simon Roberts, has outlined proposals to adapt the business as part of his plan to put Food First. The proposals, which are subject to consultation, will enable Sainsbury’s to save money to invest in food. They include rationalizing office space and simplifying Store Support Centre teams in Commercial Operations, Human Resources, Supply Chain & Logistics, Technology and General Merchandise & Clothing. It is expected that the plans will result in the reduction Plant-based JUST Egg arrives in Canada at over 1,000 retail locations.of around 500 office roles. The savings created will be invested back into Sainsbury’s core food business. 

In brief: NPD and launches
Eat Just has revealed that the toaster-ready, folded version of its top-selling plant-based egg is arriving at leading retailers across Canada in the coming weeks, in time for Easter. The fluffy, filling product, labeled as JUST Plant Egg in Canada, is launching at select locations of Buy-Low Foods, Loblaws, Metro, Save-On-Foods, Sobeys, Safeway and Walmart, as well as all Whole Foods Market Canada stores and several independent grocers. JUST Egg is sold as a four-pack in the frozen aisle for the suggested retail price of CA$7.99 (US$6.32). Canada is one of the most requested markets for JUST Egg, which is now the fastest-growing egg brand in the US.

Truly Hard Seltzer has launched Truly Extra Hard Seltzer, a delicious and refreshing hard seltzer that clocks in at 8 percent ABV, giving drinkers an “extra kick.” After its 2020 test launch received positive drinker feedback, Truly Extra is now officially available nationwide in two flavors, Black Raspberry and Peach Mango. Truly Extra has only 1 g of sugar and 220 calories in a 16 oz can.

By Elizabeth Green