Explore every episode of the podcast Eat For The Planet with Nil Zacharias

With declining sales, cultural backlash, and growing skepticism around alt-proteins, many are asking: Is the plant-based movement already past its peak? In this episode, Sarah Lake, CEO of Tilt Collective, makes the case that this moment is less a dead end and more a turning point. She shares the real forces shaping what we eat—from corporate power and public policy to culture and consumer psychology. They unpack why meat reduction remains such a political and emotional minefield, and why changing food environments—not just minds—may be the key to shifting diets at scale. Sarah shares Tilt’s approach to funding high-impact solutions globally and explains why success will look different in New York, Brazil, or Thailand. If you’re tired of shallow optimism or hand-wringing despair, this conversation offers a third way: honest, grounded hope. Sarah Lake's TED Talk: The Hidden Forces Behind Your Food Choices Music: Endless Inspiration (Vibe Street Mix) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Matt de Gruyter, CEO and co-founder of Next Level Burger, discusses the brand’s significant progress since 2018, including the acquisition and turnaround of Veggie Grill, its ambitious expansion goals, and the evolving plant-based food landscape. Matt reflects on combating misinformation, balancing operational discipline with a strong work culture, and creating a sustainable, compassionate food system while emphasizing the critical role of leadership and persistence in driving long-term change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Eat for the Planet podcast, Nil Zacharias speaks with Alicia Kennedy, author of No Meat Required, about challenging meat’s dominance in the food system and exploring the cultural, culinary, and systemic shifts needed to create meaningful change. They discuss how plant-based eating, rooted in countercultural movements, can serve as a force for transformation while navigating the challenges of identity, desirability, and accessibility. Alicia critiques the focus on hyper-realistic meat substitutes and advocates for a return to celebrating vegetables, grains, and whole foods as a path to reimagining food systems. She emphasizes the importance of community-driven food and the need for systemic solutions that address labor, access, and sustainability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Nil Zacharias engages with Indy Kaur, founder of Plant Futures Collective, to discuss her path in the food industry, her pivotal work at Tesco, and her current mission to drive plant-based adoption. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in the plant-based food sector, emphasizing trust-building, storytelling, and collective action to overcome barriers to consumer adoption and create a sustainable future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Sami Nabulsi, founder of Pythag Tech, explores the intersection of innovation, politics, and progress in the cultivated meat industry. Drawing from his transition from finance to food tech, Sami shares his vision for the future of cultivated meat, including its potential to reshape global food systems and address critical challenges like sustainability, scalability, and national security. The discussion delves into overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles, combating misinformation and political resistance, and fostering collaboration with traditional meat industry players to unlock new opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Maisie Ganzler, former Chief Strategy and Brand Officer at Bon Appétit Management Company (BAMCO), reflects on her 30 years of leadership at the forefront of sustainability. She discusses BAMCO’s approach to balancing customer needs with supplier realities, lessons learned from the company’s early adoption of plant-based alternatives, and the critical role of storytelling in driving meaningful change. Drawing on her book, You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime, Maisie shares insights into the successes and missteps of the plant-based movement, the potential of ingredient-focused innovations, and the importance of defining clear sustainability values. With candid reflections, she offers lessons and hope for building a more resilient and sustainable food system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Palak Patel is an award-winning chef, best-selling author, and a dynamic force in the movement for sustainable food systems. In this episode, Palak reflects on her personal and professional evolution, highlighting food’s role as an emotional and cultural connector. Drawing from her cookbook Food is Love, she discusses how emotion drives her cooking and offers insights into the challenges of transitioning from traditional meat-based diets to plant-based alternatives while preserving cultural identity. Palak also delves into pressing food system issues like waste reduction and the role of chefs in driving innovation and sustainability. She emphasizes the importance of bridging culinary expertise with systems thinking to create meaningful impact. The conversation touches on meat’s deep cultural ties, the need for emotional storytelling in food, and her hopes for the future of food systems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this thought-provoking episode of Eat for the Planet, Nil Zacharias is joined by Michelle Adelman, an entrepreneur and innovator in the food industry. Michelle reflects on her journey from leading the plant-based food platform Infinite Foods in Africa to founding Crossover Meats, a company that blends chicken and beef to create a more sustainable and scalable meat product. Through candid insights, Michelle discusses the challenges, opportunities, and complexities of reshaping the global food system. #95 - Infinite Foods: How Plant-Based Protein Can be a Positive Catalyst for Change in Afric‪a‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Overthrow Hospitality is an award-winning plant-based food and beverage hospitality group with ten unique venues offering elevated dining and drinking experiences to the socially conscious consumer. In this episode, Ravi Derossi, Founder and CEO of Overthrow Hospitality discusses the company's evolution into a fully plant-based hospitality group with an innovative approach to dining. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of creating exceptional dining experiences that resonate with both plant-based and meat-eating audiences, while sharing insights on the broader food landscape and their ambitious plans for expansion. Overthrow Hospitality is currently fundraising on StartEngine. Find out how you can become an investor. Related Episodes: #21 - Art Meets Purpose: Designing Conscious Food Experiences With Ravi DeRossi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sorosh Tavakoli, the CEO of Stockeld Dreamery shares his journey from tech to founding Stockeld Dreamery, a plant-based cheese company. He highlights the shortcomings of plant-based cheese—poor taste, texture, and nutrition—and discusses Stockeld’s innovative approach using fermented legume proteins to create better products. Sarosh reflects on industry challenges, from manufacturing delays to shifting market dynamics, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and adaptability in overcoming obstacles. He also reflects on the complexities of balancing innovation with the practical challenges of transforming consumer habits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Steve Molino, Partner & Head of Investments at Clear Current Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on catalyzing sustainable change in the food system. The conversation focuses on the state of the alternative protein industry and its potential to transform the global food system. Steve shares his journey into impact investing, insights into the challenges facing plant-based and cultivated meats, and his perspective on the future of sustainable food innovation. The discussion explores consumer demand, global market dynamics, and the importance of refining investment strategies to drive real impact. Music: Endless Inspiration (Vibe Street Mix) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If vibes can play a big role in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Elections, shouldn't we examine their role in food choices? This episode discusses why the plant-based food industry's focus on branding plant-based meat by emphasizing environmental and health benefits has failed to resonate with a consumers. A more effective branding strategy for alternative protein involves focusing on the "vibes"—the emotional and cultural context associated with food—rather than just facts and figures, aiming to make plant-based options feel more appealing and culturally relevant to diverse consumer groups. Companies mentioned in this episode: Plantega Beyond Meat – “Serve Love” Campaign / Beyond Meat (BYND) Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript Impossible Foods – Recipe for Disaster: Impossible Foods CEO Says Plant-Based Meat Marketing's 'Wokeness' Hurt the Category / Hot dog eating champ Joey Chestnut barred from competing in this year’s contest Music: Endless Inspiration (Vibe Street Mix) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Liron Nimrodi, the Co-Founder and CEO of Zero Egg. Animal friendly, sustainable, and a healthier alternative, Zero Egg is the plant-based egg for everyone. Zero Egg’s products are 100% plant-based, gluten-free, non-GMO, low in calories and fat, have zero cholesterol and are cleaner in terms of ingredient list (compared to other existing plant-based egg products) making them suitable for a range of dietary needs. Founded in 2018, the company believes the plant-based egg should be an everyday choice and is on a mission to make plant-based food accessible to everyone. With a feather-light footprint, Zero Egg offers the taste and texture of an ordinary egg, has better-for-you attributes, and is easy on the planet. It is made of plant proteins including soy, potatoes, peas, and chickpeas. Manufacturing Zero Egg uses radically less land, water, and energy, and produces significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than eggs from hens. Zero Egg is determined to meet the growing demand for egg alternatives that taste, cook, and function like traditional eggs, specifically in foodservice and food manufacturing. In addition to the United States, Zero Egg is also distributed in Israel and Europe. The company received early accolades at launch, including Calcalist’s 2019 Food Innovation competition in Israel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The episode explores Nudge Theory, a behavioral economics concept used to guide better decisions through minor environmental changes. Plantega, a company making plant-based food accessible via a unique plant-based-deli-in-store model in New York City bodegas, employs Nudge Theory through strategic locations, appealing signage, choice architecture, simplification, sampling events, social proof, and incentives. By incorporating these tactics, Plantega has successfully launched across the city, encouraging thousands of consumers to choose plant-based options daily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode discusses the plant-based food industry's evolution and future prospects, following the Gartner Hype Cycle. Despite a disillusionment phase, consumer demand remains strong, with plant-based food sales growing in 2022. To ensure continued growth, we need to focus on three pillars: Innovation (addressing nutritional concerns and offering global flavors), Accessibility (emphasizing foodservice and prepared frozen meals), and Sustainability (commitment to sustainable sourcing and regenerative agriculture practices). Alongside these pillars, changing public perceptions and raising awareness of the health and environmental benefits of plant-based food is crucial for the industry's ongoing growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elena Devis is on a mission to make Deliveroo the go-to delivery platform for plant-based food. As the Head of the Vegan Category, she works cross functionally with the Commercial, Marketing, Product and Sustainability teams to make it easier for consumers to find, and confidently order, plant-based food anytime, anywhere. Elena follows a plant-based diet and is really passionate about all things human and planetary health. Outside Deliveroo, she teaches meditation and hosts a Podcast in Spanish (Positivamente Presente), where she discusses different aspects of well-being with inspiring individuals from all walks of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samuel Dennigan is Founder and CEO of Strong Roots, a leading plant-based brand committed to planet-friendly food. Launched in 2015, Strong Roots are on a mission to provide tasty and environmentally responsible food for busy lives. Since its beginnings Strong Roots has become a firm favorite of consumers globally listing its Cauliflower Hash Browns, Sweet Potato Fries, Kale-and-Quinoa Burgers and other innovative products in over 10,000 stores worldwide including major retailers in the U.S., UK, and Ireland. Shop Strong Roots' New Frozen Meal Entrées here: shop.strongroots.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wildtype is a cultivated seafood brand on a mission to create the most sustainable seafood on earth, starting with their highly anticipated sushi-grade salmon. Aryé Elfenbein, a cardiologist, and Justin Kolbeck, a former U.S. diplomat, set out to protect our planet’s wilderness, and to reverse trends of global food insecurity. Using cellular agriculture techniques, Wildtype will provide consumers with a new option for real seafood that provides the same nutritional benefits as the most pristine wild-caught fish, without common contaminants such as mercury, microplastics, antibiotics, or pesticides and without relying on commercial fishing or fish farming. Wildtype is the first and only cultivated seafood brand to raise $100 million in Series B funding with high-profile investors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Downing Jr., and Jeff Bezos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexis Gauthier is a multi-award-winning French chef and successful London restaurateur. In 2016 he became vegan, and in 2021 he removed all animal products from his restaurant menus entirely. From Avignon, in the south of France, Alexis began his career in the grand hotels of Nice and Monaco, under the eye of Chef Alain Ducasse. It was there he first began to form his fundamental cooking style, a light and uncomplicated celebration of the best seasonal produce, often led by fruits and vegetables, chosen instinctively and prepared intuitively. Opening Gauthier Soho in 2010, Alexis knew from the very beginning that vegetables would be a main focus, and made his vegetable menu stand shoulder to shoulder with the then classic gout du jour menu. In 2016, Alexis himself became vegan, and announced he was planning to turn the entire restaurant plant-based. In 2021, this became a reality, and Gauthier Soho became the first classical French fine-dining vegan restaurant in the world. He recently opened the more casual 123V restaurant - also 100% vegan - in London’s Mayfair. Alexis is now a regular speaker at debates and discussions and is dedicated to exploring the possibilities of deliciousness using an animal free canvas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chad Rosen is the Founder & CEO of Victory Hemp Foods, a business-to-business primary food ingredient processing company that develops innovative technology to manufacture hemp grain into premier proteins and healthy fats for applications in food and beverage, skincare and cosmetics, and nutritional supplements. Victory Hemp Foods won the 2020 Hemp Innovation Challenge at the World Ag Expo® in Tulare, CA for the development of two proprietary ingredients, V-70 Hemp Heart Protein and V-ONE® Hemp Heart Oil. In addition to leading his company’s growth over the past six years, Chad has worked as an industry-wide advocate within the U.S. hemp grain supply chain and market and is dedicated to developing hemp grain as a significant and positive addition to American agriculture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is co-hosted by Ben Davis, Content Chair​ and Strategic Advisor of Plant Based World Expo and was produced in collaboration with Plant Based World Expo. Palak Patel is a classically trained chef, Host, Atlanta restaurant owner, and two time food network champion winner of Food Network’s famed shows Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay. Her new cookbook INVITED: Recipes for Joy and Connection debuts (Spring 24) with Harper Collins. She was a finalist on Food Network Star season 14. Most recently Palak hosted and produced a 5 episode digital series with Food Network called The Diwali Menu and appeared as a guest judge on Food Network’s newest competition series, Money Hungry. A TEDx speaker and chef at the Institute of Culinary Education, Palak has partnered with many high-profile brands like Microsoft, Sakara, BMW, Barclays and Clif Bar. She’s made on-camera appearances on the TODAY show, Food52 digital and Good Day Atlanta. Chef Patel was featured in an article entitled “The Women Of The Restaurant Industry Speak Out About Their Pandemic Experience” in Forbes. She was also featured in Huffington Post, People, Women’s Health, Thrive Global, Mashable, Epicurious, Bon Appetit, Los Angeles Times, India Abroad, and made the cover of Atlanta’s Simply Buckhead magazine as a rising star to watch in 2021 and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Serial social entrepreneur & trends forecaster Sonalie Figueiras is the founder & editor-in-chief of Green Queen, an award-winning impact media platform advocating for social & environmental change through inspiring & empowering original content and one of the world's leading outlets for alternative protein news. Green Queen is APAC's largest sustainability media as counted by website views. She is also the founder & CEO of Ekowarehouse, the global sourcing platform for certified organic products and the co-founder & CEO of SourceGreenPackaging.com, the world's first global marketplace for sustainable packaging with a mission to fight single-use plastic waste (pre-seed funded in May 2021). With over a decade of experience in publishing, digital marketing, organic trade, sustainability, alternative proteins and green packaging, she is an eco wellness industry veteran with a keen eye for market trends and a sought-after international speaker and moderator, sharing her expertise on stages across Asia and beyond, including Harvard Business School and two times at TEDx. Further, Sonalie is a venture partner at APAC alt protein fund Better Bite Ventures and operating advisor at European food tech fund Trellis Road. She is a global advisor at Social Ventures Hong Kong, an Impact Purpose Organisation committed to re-imagining Hong Kong as a purpose-driven city, an advisor at The Remedy Project, which revolutionises access to justice for migrant workers globally, a cause close to her heart, and she is an avid home cook and published cookbook author. Show Page: https://eftp.co/sonalie-figueiras Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kobi Regev is a passionate New Yorker who happens to be vegan. Over the past 5 years he has become an expert in the development and production of plant based cheese. Together with his wife Abev, they switched to a plant-based diet in 2014, and the one thing we missed more than anything else was grabbing a slice of pizza from their favorite restaurants.  As New Yorkers, they couldn't find any cheese alternatives able to replicate the authentic New York pizza experience. So, they decided to do something about it, and Pleese Foods was born. The mission? To make the most delicious and functional plant-based alternative to dairy cheese that meets the perfect trifecta of taste, texture and melt. Pleese Foods products are all natural, vegan, kosher and perfect for people avoiding dairy, soy or nuts due to allergies or dietary restrictions. Pleese® has been tested and approved by the harshest food critics, picky eaters and kids from all age groups. Both Kobi and Abev are beyond grateful to everyone that helped and supported them taking their passion for making amazing vegan pizzas at home and turn it into a national distributed product. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Le’Spencer Walker is Director of the Merchandising Vendor Development (MVD) team and lends his skills and leads in many areas at Target. Currently leading a team that identifies, develops and on-boards women and minority owned brands aligned to Target strategies. Over his 12 years at Target, he made and continues to make a conscientious effort to align his work with his passions through education with storytelling, creating authentic products, leveraging research to amplify strategy, building tools & resources for small minority owned businesses to help them succeed, and bring joy to all. He designed & developed 1000+ products with 7 patents, co-led the Target Owned Brand team communications strategy, former member of the Black History Month enterprise assortment team, and former chairman of The SQUAD - Target’s Owned Brand team engagement committee. A Jackson Mississippi native who resides in Minneapolis with his wife Lauren and two little ones. Purpose and family drives him; “purpose driven people, lead purpose driven lives and, when we look back, did we do our best?... Because that’s what matters” Topics Covered Le’Spencer’s current role at Target. Target’s approach to partners and building a more inclusive and diverse product set and supplier base. Culture and lifestyle changes driving food trends at Target. Target’s approach to the plant-based food category. Plant-based categories that are showing the most potential. Target’s long term view on plant-based food and sustainability. Why Le’Spencer is excited about speaking at and attending Plant Based World Expo 2022 in September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Vincent "Buddy" Gillespie, Director of Culinary at JBH Advisory Group. Buddy has thirty years of experience in restaurants and hospitality markets with past projects that include fast casual restaurant development, kitchen design, creation of operational policies and procedures, financial assessment, menu and recipe development, operational assessment, manager recruitment and manager training. He was previously the Vice President of Culinary Operations for Dean & Deluca in the US. He developed the menu and all recipes for Dean & Deluca’s first restaurant, Dean & Deluca Stage, which opened in NYC’s meatpacking district in April 2019. He also was part of the development and oversaw the building of Dean & Deluca’s second 12,000 SQFT commissary in NYC for all the retail markets and catering department’s operations. He was one of the creators of Bonmi Restaurant, a fast-casual Vietnamese/Banh Mi sandwich shop with two locations in Manhattan. Bonmi was voted #8 on FastCasual.com Top 100 Movers & Shakers list for 2016. While growing Bonmi’s locations, he opened four Bonmi units within four different Whole Foods Markets locations in NYC and New Jersey. Topics Covered Buddy's thirty years experience in restaurants and hospitality markets. When he noticed the plant-based eating trend and started to take it seriously. How Buddy helped restaurants craft menus and operations to meet the shifting supply side innovations in plant-based and increased consumer demand. Tips for foodservice operators looking to create more plant-forward menus (from culinary ideas for menu integration, to branding and marketing). Tips for food service buyers looking to identify and select the right products. Trending product categories and new innovations that show great potential to change the food landscape via foodservice. Why Buddy is excited about participating in Plant Based World Expo 2022. Plant Based World Expo: The Only 100% plant-based show for retail and foodservice professionals, Sept 8 -9, 2022, NYC.  Reserve your Free Expo Pass with VIP Code: EFTP. TO REGISTER AND LEARN MORE VISIT PLANTBASEDWORLDEXPO.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Rodd Willis, Director of Natural & Specialty at Dot Foods. His 25-year career at Dot Foods has included positions in sales, management, supply chain, and business development. He is based out of St. Louis, MO. He holds an MBA from the University of Missouri.  Dot Foods, Inc. carries 125,000 products from 1,020 food industry manufacturers making it the largest food industry redistributor in North America. Through Dot Transportation, Inc., an affiliate of Dot Foods, the company distributes foodservice, convenience, retail, and vending products to distributors in all 50 states and more than 55 countries. Topics Covered Dot Foods’ role in the food industry. Macro trends in food service and retail as we emerge out of the pandemic. Current state of the plant-based food industry and why Rodd and Dot Foods are bullish about the future of this category. Why Rodd believes meat and dairy alternatives will continue to grow and learn which sub-categories have the most (and least) growth potential in the short term. What food service and retail buyers are looking for today and how brands and buyers can be best prepared for what’s going to be trending next. Why Rodd is excited about participating in Plant Based World Expo 2022. Plant Based World Expo: The Only 100% Plant-Based B2B Show, Sept 8 -9, 2022, NYC. SAVE 20% ON YOUR PASS WITH VIP CODE: EFTP20. TO REGISTER AND LEARN MORE VISIT PLANTBASEDWORLDEXPO.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Kelly Coffin, the Founder and CEO of WayFare Foods, a company that takes the finest whole, plant-based ingredients in the world, and turns them into products that are truly Simple, Delicious, and Amazing. You’ll find WayFare’s food foundations are always based on whole ingredients, and nothing else. WayFare’s mission is to bless our world by creating incredible products – all from plants. WayFare is sold in retail locations across the country and direct to consumer via their website. WayFare products are also used as ingredients by restaurants and bakeries in the U.S. and Canada. Show Page: https://eftp.co/wayfarefoods Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Julie Emmett, Sr. Director, Marketplace Development at Plant Based Foods Association and Sabina Vyas, Sr. Director, Impact Strategies at Plant Based Foods Association and is co-hosted by Ben Davis, VP of Content at Plant Based World Expo. Topics Covered Overview of partnership between Plant Based World Expo and Plant Based Foods Association and how it has benefited plant-based food companies Current priorities of retail buyers - questions they are asking and information they need to guide their decision making. What sales strategies have worked for brands in recent months and years + success stories Current food service landscape - what buyers are prioritizing and which areas are seeing some early momentum and opportunities. What attendees can expect from Plant Based World Expo 2022 - what's going to be different and how are buyers and brands approaching the show. Key issues that will be discussed during the conference. How does Plant Based Foods Association and Plant Based World Expo define success for this show. Why the spirit of collaboration and community is a unique part of the plant-based foods industry and how Plant Based World Expo embodies that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anna Hammond is the Founder and CEO of Matriark Foods, a social and environmental impact food business that upcycles farm surplus and fresh-cut remnants into healthy, shelf-stable vegetable products for institutional foodservice. Matriark is building a circular food future, creating products that solve for inefficiencies in the supply chain while combating climate change and providing greater access to healthy food—at scale. Show Page: https://eftp.co/matriark-foods Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karana is a Singapore and US based company that makes meat from whole plants. Show Page: https://eftp.co/karana Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Garrett Broad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University. His research and teaching focus on contemporary social movements, digital media technologies, and the food system. He is the author of More Than Just Food: Food Justice and Community Change, as well as a variety of articles on food's relationship to environmental sustainability, economic equity, and the health of humans and nonhuman animals. An engaged scholar, Professor Broad writes for both academic and public audiences, and works to develop collaborative research projects with a variety of social change-focused organizations. Show Page: https://eftp.co/garrett-broad Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Elder is the co-founder and CEO of Nowadays, a venture-backed foodtech startup making plant-based meats with only a few simple ingredients and unparalleled nutritional profiles. Show Page: https://eftp.co/nowadays Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elysabeth Alfano is the Co-Founder and CEO of VegTech™ Invest, an investment management company that advises the thematic ETF, VegTech™ Plant-based Innovation & Climate ETF, ticker: EATV. EATV invests in companies that are actively innovating with plants and plant-derived ingredients and that produce primary products that are animal-free. We believe these companies positively impact climate change, planetary health and sustainability, human health, and animal health. We also believe that we are on the cusp of a long-term secular trend that will result in the disrupting of the global food and materials supply chain for a more efficient, climate friendly and cruelty-free system. Show Page: https://eftp.co/Vegtech-Invest Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Dreskin is the CEO of the Plant Based Foods Association, the first and only trade association representing the nation’s leading plant-based food companies, as well as the Plant Based Foods Institute, PBFA’s sister nonprofit dedicated to driving transformation to a plant-based food system. Show Page: https://eftp.co/rachel-dreskin Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Yeung is the Co-founder & CEO of Green Monday Group, a multi-faceted social venture with the mission to take on the world’s most pressing crises of climate change, food insecurity and public health. With the global sustainability movement initiated by Green Monday Foundation, the revolutionary food technology innovation in OmniFoods and OmniPork, the market-transforming plant-based retail, dining and distribution network in Green Common, and the impact investment arm in Green Monday Ventures, Mr. Yeung has pioneered a one-of-a-kind integrated platform that engages and empowers millions of people, along with public and private sectors, towards green awareness, action and economy. Show page: https://eftp.co/omnifoods Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Altschuler Malek is a Managing Partner at Unovis Asset Management, a global investment firm that provides early-stage funding to entrepreneurs developing plant-based and cultured meat alternatives to foods derived from conventional animal agriculture including beef, chicken, pork, dairy, egg, fish, and shellfish products. Through its fund,  New Crop Capital and NCAP II, the team has invested in more than 50 companies including Beyond Meats, Memphis Meats, BlueNalu, Good Catch, Nova Meats, Alpha Foods, Zero Egg, Aleph Farms, and Miyoko’s. As Managing Partner, Dan heads the firm's activities in North America and Israel exploring deal- flow, creating strategic opportunities, and working with founders to solve daily challenges and evaluate strategic decisions. Show Page: https://eftp.co/unovis Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Riana Lynn is the founder of Journey Foods, a food tech company that supports cutting-edge product management and data services for food businesses. A biologist turned serial entrepreneur, Riana has developed high-growth, nationally recognized technology, and food businesses. Her accomplishments have been featured on MIT 35 under 35, CNBC, Forbes, USA Today, Wired, TechCrunch, Entrepreneur Magazine, Food Tank and more. Journey Foods’ portfolio intelligence and lifecycle management software for food development and innovation helps companies address and manage the complete lifecycle of products from ideation to the marketplace.  Show Page: https://eftp.co/journey-foods Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie Piatt aka “SriMati” is a mystic mother, musician, artist, chef, author and healer who has lived her life immersed in devotion and expansive creativity. She is also the creator of SriMu, a company that makes artisanally crafted NOT cheeses made with plant based ingredients. Julie is is a powerful living example of how to love ourselves more so that we can live our unique design in full and expansive self expression. Show Page: https://eftp.co/srimu Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Munson is the author of Tesla: Inventor of the Modern, and his latest book—Tech to Table: 25 Innovators Reimagining Food—was released in September 2021. Other publications include From Edison to Enron that recounts the history of electricity. Cardinals of Capitol Hill traces the machinations of congressional appropriators who control government spending, and Cousteau: The Captain and His World examines the ocean explorer and filmmaker. Show Page: https://eftp.co/tech-to-table Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andre Menezes is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Next Gen, the parent company of TiNDLE. Next Gen is a Singapore-based food tech company with a mission to create delicious and satisfying food products, all with the power of plants. Show Page: https://eftp.co/next-gen-foods Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Adams is New York City’s Mayor-Elect and the city’s first plant-based mayor to hold office. This episode was recorded and originally published in February 2018. Show Page: https://eftp.co/new-york-city-mayor-eric-adams Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Louisa Burwood-Taylor is the Chief Editor of AgFunderNews where she covers food and agriculture, with a focus on new technology and startup investment. Her career spans over 10 years and involves a variety of different beats, mostly financial, including time at the Financial Times Group and Euromoney in Asia. She turned her attention to agriculture over seven years ago as the founding editor of Agri Investor, the first publication dedicated to investment in the sector.  Show Page: https://eftp.co/louisa-burwood-taylor Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shannon Falconer is the CEO and Co-Founder of Because, Animals, the only company developing cultivated meat for pets. Show Page: https://eftp.co/because-animals Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plantega is on mission to make plant-based food more accessible and equitable. We partner with innovative brands and provide a turnkey solution that empowers corner stores in urban hubs like New York City to earn revenue selling delicious and affordable plant-based foods. This interview first appeared on the This or Something Better Podcast. Show Page: https://eftp.co/plantega-story-so-far Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madeline Rotman is the Head of Sustainability for Imperfect Foods where she focuses on reducing waste across the company’s operational practices and the food supply system at large. Imperfect Foods is reimagining grocery delivery and on a mission to eliminate food waste and build a kinder, less wasteful world. They offer thoughtful eaters sustainable, affordable groceries that make the weekly chore of shopping an effortless and delightful experience. With scheduled weekly deliveries they help their customers save time, money, and the planet. Show Page: https://eftp.co/imperfectfoods Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode I share a new model I have been exploring that tries to make sense of current debates and approaches to fixing our food system and how to spot opportunities for growth. Episode Transcript: https://eftp.co/news/2021/4/1/breakthroughs-adaptations Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Balk is the vice president of farm animal protection for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). In addition, he is a co-founder of Eat Just, the food technology company that produces the Just Egg and sold the world’s first ever no-kill meat in Singapore. Topics covered on this podcast The state of the farm animal protection movement and its intersection with larger food system issues.  Whether the movement to improve the lives of farmed animals strategically compliments or is in conflict with efforts to transform the food system and make it more equitable and sustainable. How the plant-based foods movement has been influenced and impacted by the the work of the farm animal protection movement and how to strategically build both movements to help achieve the goal of ending factory farming. The failings of the environmental movement as it relates to addressing the devastating impact of industrial animal agriculture and its contribution to the climate crisis. Individual responsibility vs. corporate responsibility, the future of factory farming, the impact of big meat companies shifting to plant-proteins, problem solving in the midst of a crisis, taking risks, success and failure, evolving our beliefs and perspectives, and the most pragmatic and effective ways to change the food system.  Show Page: https://eftp.co/146-josh-balk Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler Mayoras is the Cofounder and CEO of Cool Beans. Tyler has spent more than 20 years in private equity investing and consulting, focused on sustainable food and agriculture. After adopting a plant-based lifestyle and seeing the incredible health benefits, he wanted to continue helping to create a sustainable future of food and worked with partners to create the 100% plant-based taste adventure that is Cool Beans. Topics covered on this episode: What is Cool Beans and why Tyler decided to focus on building a food company with beans at its core.  The challenge of building a new category based on the philosophy of using simple ingredients with minimal processing and with no oil and sugar added. Why taste matters and how Tyler and his team formulated the products to be packed with flavor, without compromising on their efforts to stay minimally processed.  Shifting the mainstream food media narrative from biotech to beans. The problem with monocultures and why we need more crop diversity in our food system. Why soil health matters for our health and the environment. Transforming the conventional American food culture of convenience and burgers to include beans.  Are alternatives proteins just the first wave of plant-based products?  Why Tyler believes healthy, whole plant-food based products is where the market is heading. Show Page: https://eftp.co/tyler-mayoras-cool-beans Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isha Datar is Executive Director of New Harvest, a nonprofit research institute that funds open, public cultured meat research.  Topics covered on this podcast What is New Harvest and how Isha got started in the field of cellular agriculture. The basics of growing food from cells and the interdisciplinary nature of this new scientific field. Safety concerns around cell-cultured meat and how they are being addressed. Should we fear the technology of creating meat from cells? The current state of of the technology and the industry, including progress made so far, as well as current infrastructure gaps. Importance of establishing systems of transparency and accountability, standards and norms, shared facilities, and training in this new field.  Potential paths to scale for cell-cultured meat (scientifically and as an industry). Private vs. Public R&D in this field and why it matters. Lessons cellular agriculture can learn from the history of GMOs and Monsanto. Why Isha is optimistic about the future of this technology and its potential to create a re-diversified food system. Show Page: https://eftp.co/isha-datar Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lasse Bruun is an advocacy expert in climate, sustainable agriculture and food systems. He leads 50by40, a collective impact organization working towards a fair, healthy and compassionate food system. He has led high-level international dialogues and campaigns in more than 20 countries, the EU Parliament, FAO, UNFCCC and International Whaling Commission. Topics covered on this episode: The role of Governments and regulations globally. Pros and cons of engaging with big meat companies to bring about the change we need. How all stakeholders, from Corporations to Governments to every day voters can play a role. Insights from the ongoing UN Food Systems Summit. Is industrial livestock production getting the spotlight it deserves in the mainstream narrative around climate change and climate action? Why it’s important for all factions in the food movement to stay committed to working together. Show Page: https://eftp.co/lasse-bruun Newsletter signup: https://eftp.co/newsletter Follow us on Instagram Follow Nil Zacharias on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices