The Bezos Earth Fund’s recognition of alternative proteins as a key element of its food transformation program underscores the significant potential it sees in this industry.
To date, the Fund has donated $194.8 million towards sustainable food and agriculture projects in its efforts to transition the world’s food supply to one that uses less land and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It is committed to spending up to $1 billion as part of its Future of Food program.
It has already directed $90 million towards alternative protein centres around the world, the latest in Singapore, which will focus on advancing research in microalgae, biomass fermentation as well as cultivated meat and plant-based technologies.
This backing from the world’s largest philanthropic fund signals a pivotal moment for alternative proteins, as it highlights both the urgency and the opportunity within the sector. Such investment could drive innovation and scale, helping to transform global food systems.
It also sets high expectations for the industry, which must prove it can deliver sustainable solutions at a large scale while navigating regulatory, economic, and public perception challenges.
Future of Food Director at the Bezos Earth Fund Dr Andy Jarvis has spent two decades in food security and environmental sustainability. He is championing the urgent need to address food as part of the fight against climate change and sees the development of alternative proteins as part of the solution.
Dr Jarvis will address an Australian audience at the AltProteins 24 conference online from Colombia. He will discuss the need for visionary funding and action to transform food systems and highlight how the sustainable transformation of these systems can offer significant economic, environmental, and public health benefits.
He joins more than 40 other local and international speakers at the conference including the United Nations’ Secretary-General for the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, Satya Tripathi; Oatly’s Shaunagh Duncan; Tetra Pak’s Ashish Acharya; Redefine Meat’s Edwin Bark; All G Foods’ Jan Pacas; and Simplot’s Arjan Jongkees.
Food Frontier’s AltProteins 24 is on Thursday, 10 October 2024 in Melbourne. Media passes are available.
The Victorian Government is the event’s lead sponsor through support from Agriculture Victoria, Global Victoria and Invest Victoria. The event is also supported by Merck, Eden Brew, Rockwell Automation, Tetra Pak, v2food, Aussie Plant Based Co, Imber’s Pantry, Magic Valley, Essantis, CSIRO, Oatly and Good-Edi.
For more information visit foodfrontier.org/altproteins-conference/.
Meet Dr Andy Jarvis in this video.
Media contact
Kathy Cogo, Head of Communications and Marketing, Food Frontier kathy@foodfrontier.org, 0466 015 183.
About
Food Frontier is the independent think tank on alternative proteins in Australia and New Zealand. Funded by grants and donations, our work is growing our region’s protein supply with new, sustainable and nutritious options that create value for businesses, farmers and consumers.