SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 9, 2020 – After a successful launch this past October, the Upcycled Food Association (UFA) will be represented by one of its founding members, Renewal Mill, at the Winter Fancy Food Show – its first formal industry event since the association’s incorporation.
74% of consumers see wasted food as an extremely big issue, according to leading product development company, Mattson. To help address this growing concern, UFA was founded to reduce food loss by supporting upcycled food companies: representing their interests in policy discussions and disseminating best practices in communications, networking, and infrastructure amongst members.
Founding members include top upcycling thought-leaders such as Barnana, ReGrained, Imperfect Foods, Food Maven, Planetarians, and Renewal Mill, to name a few. The membership base already exceeds twenty-five companies. Working with government, industry, and nonprofit partners, the UFA has started research to formally define what it means to be an 'upcycled' food product. Stemming from this work, the UFA aims to launch an upcycled certification program in October 2020.
Food recovery specialist Turner Wyatt has been hired as CEO of the UFA, and Caroline Cotto, COO of Renewal Mill, is serving as the first UFA Board President. “Upcycled ingredients and products are the future of the food industry, and we’re excited to be leading the charge in educating consumers and empowering producers through the UFA,” said Cotto. “Our goal is to make ‘upcycled’ as understood and sought after as ‘organic,’ and we know that doing so requires collaboration at every level. We look forward to working with small upcyclers as well as the world’s largest multinational food companies.”
UFA is actively recruiting members, associate members, sponsors, and grant funders. Come by the Renewal Mill booth (#3339) on January 19-21 at the Winter Fancy Food Show to learn more about joining the movement. Additional information at www.upcycledfood.org.
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About Upcycled Food Association (UFA)
The Upcycled Food Association is a nonprofit focused on reducing food waste by growing the upcycled food economy. Through policy, marketing, and communications work, the Upcycled Food Association is building a food system in which all food goes to its highest and best use. Our Member businesses represent the next generation of sustainable food. To learn more, visit www.upcycledfoods.org or contact Turner Wyatt, CEO, at turner@upcycledfoods.com.
About Renewal Mill
Renewal Mill is a next-generation ingredients company that makes sustainability a cinch by finding value in the overlooked and transforming it into delicious food. Our unique portfolio of premium, upcycled ingredients turns supply chain inefficiencies into profitable revenue streams. Partnering with today’s most forward-thinking brands, we’re building a new circular economy of food, that’s better for people and the planet we love. Our flagship ingredient is okara, a high fiber, high protein, gluten-free flour made from the byproduct of soymilk production. We use the okara in a number of CPG products including a vegan, soft-baked chocolate chip cookie and a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour. To learn more about Renewal Mill, visit www.renewalmill.com, ‘like’ us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Media Inquiries:
Caroline Cotto, caroline@renewalmill.com, 508-889-0893