According to Forbes, The Good Food Institute announced a $3 million grant
program to assist startups and universities that are working on
vegan and clean meat research.
GFI estimates that only about 0.3 percent of
universities worldwide are doing work in this field, but it’s expected that
many startups will apply for the grant program.
GFI’s scientific foundations liaison, Erin
Rees Clayton, explained that the program has “more of an open-source model,
with the goal of creating new technologies and ingredients that can be used by
all.
A key area of study for plant-based meats is
isolating the protein in a greater variety of plants to create vegan foods.
Rees Clayton told Forbes:
We see a lot of products with protein that comes from wheat or soy, and some from peas, but there’s a wide variety of other crops that still could be explored and that could lead to new tastes and textures.
As for clean meat, a primary focus will be
scaling up production, as this has been difficult for many companies.
Investing in protein that doesn’t involve
factory farming and slaughterhouses is wise considering the public,
increasingly concerned about the treatment of animals raised for food, is
ditching animal products in droves. In fact, the research firm Global Data
recently reported that there were six times as many vegans in America in 2017 than in 2014,
and Allied Market Research predicts that the meat substitute market will grow 8.4 percent
from 2015, potentially reaching $5.2 billion globally by 2020.
What’s more, a survey of 1,000 consumers found
a growing shift toward a vegan diet, with 90 percent of vegetarians claiming they wanted to go
vegan. And a new report from leading market research and consulting
firm Coherent Market Insights predicts that the global vegan meat market will surpass $6.5 billion by
2026.
More people enjoying vegan food is great news
for the billions of animals who suffer horribly at factory farms. Cows, pigs,
and chickens raised and killed for food are subjected to unthinkable cruelties: tiny,
filthy cages; burns and amputations; and merciless slaughter.
Thankfully, with more and more delicious vegan
products hitting the market, there’s truly never been a better time
to switch to a compassionate vegan lifestyle.
Join the global movement against the destructive and
cruel meat industry. Order your FREE Vegetarian
Starter Guide today. And check out our Pinterest
page with hundreds of vegan recipes!