ProVeg International

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the ProVeg family: ProVeg Brazil! 🇧🇷🌱 With a diverse population of 215 million people, Brazil has a myriad of native vegetables, legumes, and fruits, and huge potential for new plant-based alternatives to traditional dishes like feijoada, moqueca, and coxinha. With next year’s UN Climate Conference set to take place in the Brazilian city of Belém, and a growing popularity of plant-based diets in Brazil and the rest of South America, the time is right to harness the plant-based movement’s momentum and spearhead food systems transformation on the continent. We can’t wait to see how Aline and the ProVeg Brazil team will make waves in Brazil! Join us in welcoming them to the ProVeg family. 💚 Read more about the new ProVeg Country here ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02Vv_cY0 #ProVeg #ProVegBrazil #Brazil #FoodSystemsTransformation

🚨 EU Rejects Hungary's Proposed Cultivated Meat Ban 🚨 ProVeg International applauds the European Commission's recent assessment, deeming Hungary's proposed ban on cultivated meat "unjustified." 🌍 This is a powerful statement from the EU, emphasising that bans on cultivated meat lack a scientific foundation, especially as technology develops. Hungary’s proposed ban from July aimed to stop cultivated meat production within its borders. However, the Commission, backed by other EU states, pointed out that this restriction is unsupported by evidence and could hinder innovation in the EU food sector. 💬 Julia Martin, Cellular Agriculture Lead at ProVeg, shares: “We urge the EU to focus on the benefits cultivated meat could bring regarding economic growth, food security, and sustainability, rather than on baseless restrictions. Europe should remain a leader in the development of this cutting-edge technology.” As the EU’s first cultivated product approval process for foie gras is underway, the commitment to innovation is clearer than ever. Learn more ⬇️: https://hubs.ly/Q02W07G30

Food Systems in Focus at the UN Biodiversity Conference. 🌱🌍 It’s clear that animal agriculture poses a significant threat to our planet's biodiversity, particularly in the Amazon. As Lana Weidgenant, Senior UN Policy Manager at ProVeg International, highlights, nearly 80% of agricultural land globally is dedicated to livestock production, driving 70% of deforestation in South America. ProVeg is attending the Biodiversity Conference for the first time, advocating for a transformation of our food systems. By making small changes, like choosing plant-based options, we can conserve biodiversity and combat climate change. It's time to shift our focus towards plant-based diets. By making this change, we can play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity, securing food production for future generations, and combating the climate crisis. Do you have questions about our work at the Biodiversity Conference? Ask us in the comments! ⬇️ #COP16 #BiodiversityConference #ProVeg

Is the future of food in Canada? 🇨🇦 Earlier this month, ProVeg had the opportunity to participate in the New Harvest Cellular Agriculture leadership summit in Alberta, Canada, alongside 20 international leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and corporations working in cellular agriculture. Together, this collective discussed a shared vision for a transparent, collaborative, and robust global development of this set of technologies. Over two days, participants shared insights, toured cutting-edge facilities, and engaged in dynamic workshops that highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation for driving the global development of cellular agriculture. 🔬 The summit underscored the critical role this emerging sector will play in creating sustainable, resilient food systems – offering solutions that address food security, environmental challenges, and animal welfare. 💚 Find our key takeaways from Alberta and learn more about the latest innovations in cellular agriculture over on the ProVeg New Food Hub ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02W0cDr0

The Case for Plant-Based University Catering! 🌍💚 In the face of climate change, universities have a unique responsibility to lead the way towards sustainable solutions. Thanks to Bryant Research and Plant-Based Universities, a recent study reveals that transitioning to 100% plant-based catering isn’t just good for the planet; it’s a smart financial move too! Here are the key findings: 1️⃣ Save Costs: Plant-based meals are on average 30% cheaper than meat-based options, potentially saving medium-sized universities over £500,000 annually! 💰 2️⃣ Reduce Emissions: Switching to plant-based can cut CO2 emissions by an impressive 84% compared to meat-based meals. 🌿✨ 3️⃣ Less Land, Less Water: Plant-based meals use less than 1/10th of the land and 69% less water compared to their meat counterparts! 🚫🌾💧 With these compelling benefits, it’s time for universities to embrace the plant-based revolution! Which universities do you want to see make the switch? ⬇️🌎 #ProVeg #PlantBasedUniversities

Exciting news from Lidl GB! 🌱 The supermarket chain has become the first UK retailer to set specific targets for plant-based protein, aiming for 25% of total protein sales by 2030. This initiative follows a surge in demand, with plant-based product sales growing by 12% in the past year. Lidl's new Vemondo Plant! range will introduce 28 affordable plant-based products, making it easier for consumers to make healthier, sustainable choices. Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, said: “We’re committed to breaking down key barriers that currently exist within the category, like price, quality, and availability.” This is a significant step towards a more balanced food system and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Read more about it here ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02VksrZ0 #ProVeg #PlantBasedSupermarkets #LidlGB

A glimpse into the future of food! 🔮 At the end of the summer, we travelled to Alberta, Canada to join 20+ leaders in the Cellular Agriculture space to strategize and build collaborations for next year, and push cellular agriculture to the next level globally. During the trip we: 🔬 Visited InnoTech Alberta, one of the largest fermentation facilities in Canada, whose team of 30+ years of experience was excited about the future of cellular agriculture. 🏫 Toured the future Institute of Cellular Agriculture at the University of Alberta, the first of its kind in Canada. It is an impressive facility with a legacy of meat science research, where Dr. Ning Xiang will be building her research group on Cellular Agriculture. 💡 Participated in 2 full days of roundtables, workshops and exercises to identify priorities and gaps in the cellular agriculture ecosystem, strategizing around collaborative efforts. We are very thankful to New Harvest for all the work they do in cellular agriculture, and for inviting us to this event from which meaningful collaborative initiatives are certain to come! #ProVeg #Cellular Agriculture #PrecisionFermentation

Join us in Dublin! Our amazing Director of Partnerships and Institutional Engagement, Joanna Trewern, will speak at Food Matters Live on 5-6 November. 🇮🇪✨ Following its success in the UK over the past years, Food Matters Live is now coming to Croke Park, Dublin for the first time in November. Join industry professionals from across Ireland’s ambitious and innovative food and beverage sector to collaborate and connect. Reserve your spot now to delve into the exciting nutrition science of 2024 ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02VQdnH0 #ProVeg #FoodMattersLive #PlantBasedFood

Plants First in healthcare! 🏥🌱 Tim Spector and Chris Packham alongside senior NHS doctors and over 22 healthcare organisations, are spearheading the Plants First Healthcare campaign to shift UK hospitals to plant-based menus. This initiative could save the NHS £74 million annually and cut food-related emissions by up to 50%! A similar initiative in New York, in partnership with Greener by Default, has successfully served over 1.2 million plant-based meals since March 2022. Inspired by New York’s success, the goal is to make plant-based meals the default option in hospitals across the UK, benefiting patient health and the environment. According to Dr Shireen Kassam 🌱 Kassam, campaign co-lead, Consultant Haematologist at King’s College London, and founder of Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, “Transforming meals for staff and patients in hospitals is essential. Once informed about the health and climate benefits of plant-based options, support grows for incorporating more sustainable foods.” Learn more ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02VgHPs0 #ProVeg #PlantBased #SustainableHealthcare

Highlights from the World Food Forum 2024! 🌍✨ Our Youth Board members, Helen Monica Regina, Harriet Klepper, Heloísa Rigolon, Jean Claude NIYOMUGABO, Geofrey Junior Waako, and Maisie Kemp, had an unforgettable experience representing ProVeg International. The forum showcased a brilliant exhibition with Tailored Food, emphasising how plant-based food is rooted in cultures worldwide, highlighting its cultural significance beyond health and sustainability. Special shoutout to Helen for attending a plant-based reception at the Canadian Embassy, supported by ProVeg 🇨🇦 #WorldFoodForum2024 #ProVeg