$1.8B Invested in Food Tech in Feb, Linking Urban Farmers to Ensure Fresh Food + More

Every week we curate and deliver the latest food tech news, trends and startup resources to our readers’ inboxes. Tracking the top technology and innovation happenings across agriculture, CPG, retail, restaurants, cooking and health, our newsletter is the absolute easiest way to stay on top of the emerging sector.

From the release of a new UN report that says small-scale organic farming is the only way to feed the world, to Barnraiser and The Food Lab partnering to help food startups build community and get funded, here are last week’s top food tech stories. Like what you read? Feast your eyes on the full roundup here. Or better yet, sign up for Food+Tech Bytes and get the latest and greatest in food tech delivered to your inbox every week.

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1. Food Tech Media Startup Funding, M&A and Partnerships: February 2015

February was an exceptionally lucrative month with a reported $1.8B invested into the food tech sector through 19 acquisitions and 13 fundraises.

2. Barnraiser Helps The Food Lab’s Startups Build Community & Get Funded

Participants in The Food Lab’s Challenge Prize can now launch Barnraiser campaigns to raise awareness, build customers and raise funds to grow their businesses.

3. Reconnecting Diners & Chefs to Ensure a Better Food Future

Feastly founder Noah Karesh is bringing the sharing economy to food and empowering chefs and eaters to celebrate real, authentic food experiences.

4. Linking Gardeners & Urban Farmers to Ensure Fresh Food for All

Ryan Albritton believes enabling gardeners and urban farmers to be co-cultivators of the same farm is key to ramping up fresh food production.

5. Membership-based Delivery Services are Beginning to Disrupt the $600 Billion-a-Year Grocery Industry – Business Insider

Membership grocery services help secure consumers as repeat customers and allow companies to lower individual shipping fees on every order.

6. Food Delivery Service ChowNow Supports Both Google Wallet & Apple Pay – Eater

Its the first service already integrated with independent restaurants to bring both Google Wallet and Apple Pay to users across the US.

7. What Chefs Don’t Understand About Technology – Huffington Post

A recap of SXSW’s “Food and Experiential Dining” track including commentary from chefs like David Chang and Aaron Franklin.

8. UN Report Says Small-Scale Organic Farming Only Way To Feed The World – Technologywater

Major changes are needed in our food, ag and trade systems, with a shift toward local small-scale farmers and food systems recommended.

9. Wholesome Wave Receives US$3.77 Million Grant from USDA to Improve Affordable Food Access – Food Tank

It will support the expansion of the organization’s national network of nutrition incentive programs, increase affordable access of fruits and vegetables for more than 110,000 SNAP consumers and more.