Plant-based bubble bursts
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird Ventures, and its products are no longer available in supermarkets.
A Queensland-based company is set to release its own production of milk this year that stays fresh for at least 60 days.
Naturo, a food-technology company on the Sunshine Coast, is expected to unveil its unpasteurised milk at the end of next month.
The milk, created by Naturo chief executive Jeff Hastings, uses the haelen method which involves cooling the liquid down - rather than heating it up - which is normally the case during pasteurisation.
Naturo’s milk has even caught the eye of the Australian federal government which has given the company a A$1 million grant.
Milk trials were on track with the product expected to be ready for domestic sale at the end of February.It’s expected that once it’s up and running, up to ten million litres of the milk will be produced each year, and will be shipped around Asia.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.