Weekly Roundup: Cannabis-infused coffee syrup, adaptogen-boosted oatmeal bowls

22 Apr 2022 --- This week saw moves in sustainable almond farming while BASF detailed improvements on agricultural outcomes in major crops, like wheat, canola, soybean, corn, rice, and fruits and vegetables. In NPD, there is a new line of adaptogen-boosted oatmeal bowls, clean label spice blends and cannabis-infused coffee syrup.

In brief: Business moves
Singapore and New Zealand strengthened their bilateral collaboration by signing two new partnerships to accelerate trade, food, and technology innovation. The Singapore Institute of Technology signed a collaboration agreement with The FoodBowl, a New Zealand government-supported food innovation network, to develop sustainable food.

The other key agreement was the Enhanced Partnership for Growth Arrangement between New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Enterprise Singapore. 

In brief: SustainabilityEnterprise Singapore managing director Jeffrey Siow, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise CEO Peter Chrisp at the signing of the Enhanced Partnership for Growth Arrangement.
European dairy cooperative Arla Foods and global science-based company DSM started a large-scale on-farm pilot with Bovaer, a methane-reducing feed additive. The pilot includes 10,000 dairy cows across 50 farms in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. Long-standing global research and on-farm trials show that Bovaer can reduce methane emissions by around 30%. About 40% of total emissions from Arla Foods’ farms come from their cows’ feed digestion. 

Simple Mills, Daily Harvest and Cappello’s partnered to create The Almond Project, a multi-year, farmer-led partnership to make almond farming more sustainable by implementing and evaluating the outcome of regenerative soil health principles. The program will leverage the expertise of third-generation growers at Treehouse California Almonds to lead soil health research in California’s Central Valley. The climate crisis poses a threat to almonds, especially in California which supplies 80% of the world’s almonds. 

BASF devised a ten-year outlook on agricultural innovations that support food security to minimize the impact of farming on the environment. The company focuses on improving agricultural outcomes in major crops, like wheat, canola, soybean, corn, cotton, rice, and fruits and vegetables. The innovation pipeline has an estimated peak sales potential of more than €7.5 billion (US$8 billion). According to estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), these crops account for more than 50% of the world’s farmland, which is why innovations applied on such a large scale can make farming more productive and sustainable.

Westfalia Fruit Group, a multinational supplier of avocados and a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, rolled out a low-drip irrigation technique across its network of farms as part of its sustainability commitments. The system saves a significant amount of water used to grow the crop while also increasing the output and economic value of the fruit. It is estimated that the approach will bring an overall 50% efficiency boost in farms where it is implemented.Eat Happy Kitchen’s BBQ Dust, Taco and The Dill spice blends.

In brief: NPD
Hangar 420, a cannabis producer and distributor owned by Ocean State Controlled Botanicals, launched a cannabis-infused coffee syrup, Co-Pilot Syrup, to mark the annual celebration of cannabis with a tribute to the official beverage of Rhode Island, Coffee Milk. 

Eat Happy Kitchen, a manufacturer of small-batch and organically sourced food products, introduced a line of spice blends to its portfolio of clean food products. Each blend is based on recipes featured in Vocino’s Eat Happy cookbook series. The spice blends are free of any fillers or anti-caking agents. The initial spice range is designed to simplify meal prep for health-conscious families, according to the company, and includes BBQ Dust, Taco Seasoning and The Dill Ranch seasoning.

Natural foods company, Adapto launched a product line of adaptogen-boosted pantry staples, oatmeal bowls. Adapto features five oatmeal bowls for better sleep, stress relief and improved concentration. The company focuses on health optimization and the foods are infused with functional mushroom and botanical adaptogens.LikeWing alt-meat chicken wings, created by Another Wing in partnership with LikeMeat, is available three signature flavors.

DJ Khaled’s Another Wing, in partnership with LikeMeat, unveiled LikeWings in its signature flavors, You Loyal! Lemon Pepper, Honey! Honey! Hot Honey Sriracha and They Don’t Want You To Win Truffalo. The collaboration marks LikeMeat’s first ghost kitchen partnership. 

In brief: Other highlights
A new survey from One Degree Organic Foods has revealed a significant gap in consumer education and awareness regarding the world’s most widely used pesticide – glyphosate, the main active ingredient in herbicides like Monsanto’s Roundup. The survey of Canadian and US consumers showed that while the majority of US citizens say they try to limit pesticide exposure, both in the foods they buy (69%) and in-home lawn care (53%), the vast majority (81%) are still not aware of glyphosate. 

Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, has added a new interactive guide, “Baking a difference today and tomorrow,” to its website. The bakery and snack producers manual helps users learn about clean label solutions to ensure products stay fresher and longer and succeed in the dynamic and competitive marketplace.

By Inga de Jong