Image source: New York Times

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

A handful of employees at Amazon’s massive warehouse on Staten Island, operating without support from national labor organizations, took on one of the most powerful companies in the world–and won. Meanwhile, six Starbucks stores have won their union campaigns, providing major insight into the future of the American labor movement.

Plant-based sales hit $7.4 billion in 2021, growing at a rate three-times greater than all other food in the grocery store.

Meanwhile, soaring diesel prices are rippling through the global economy, straining costs at every step of the supply chain and making their way to shoppers.

Our newsletter takes a lot of time and resources to produce. Make a one time or monthly contribution to help us keep it going. Whether it’s $5 or $500, every bit helps and shows us that you value our work. 

Check out our weekly round-up of last week’s top food startup, tech and innovation news below or peruse the full newsletter here.

1. Amazon Workers on Staten Island Vote to Unionize in Landmark Win for Labor – New York Times

Despite heavy lobbying by the company, workers at the facility voted by a wide margin for a union. It was seen as a rebuke of the company’s treatment of its employees.

2. Plant-Based Food Sales Hit $7.4B in 2021 – Food Dive

Plant-based grew at a rate three times greater than all other food in the grocery store, which had a 1.8% growth rate last year. Plant-based milk leads the way when it comes to dollar sales, now representing 16% of the entire milk category.

3. Soaring Cost of Diesel Ripples Through the Global Economy – New York Times

Farmers are spending more to keep tractors and combines running. Shipping and trucking companies are passing higher costs to retailers, which are beginning to pass them on to shoppers.

4. War-Fueled Global Hunger Catastrophe on the Way with Solutions Tough to Come By – Forbes

Tens of millions of people, from Europe to Asia, Africa and the Middle East, are expected to go hungry this year due to a grim combination of factors made significantly worse by Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine.

5. Indoor Farming to Reach an Estimated $155.6B by 2026 – Food Dive

The indoor farming space raised a total of $1.6b through 70 deals in 2021, marking a more than 36% increase year over year.

6. New UN Climate Report Urges Food Systems Solutions—Before It’s Too Late – Civil Eats

The latest report from the IPCC notes that, while eliminating fossil fuels is the first priority, land- and diet-based solutions could provide a quarter of world’s urgently needed emissions cuts.

7. MycoTechnology Raises $85M for Innovation and International Expansion – Food Dive

The mushroom ingredients powerhouse has created solutions that block bitter flavors, reduce salt and enhance protein in food. It plans to expand to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

8. Israeli Robotic Beehive Maker Raises $80M in Private Funds – Reuters

Beewise operates climate controlled, robotic beehives fit with automated harvesting and solar panels. The AI tech can detect threats to a honeybee colony.

9. Philippines-Based MSME Platform GrowSari Raises $77.5M Series C – TechCrunch

The new capital will be used for expansion into new store formats, such as small eateries and roadside shops. It offers tools for small businesses such as inventory management, pricing tools and working capital loans.

10. Heirloom Raises $53M in Series A for Its Cost-Effective Carbon Capture Tech – Green Queen

Funding will go towards financing the first low-cost and scalable direct air capture process. The company’s aim is to remove one billion tons of CO2 from the environment by 2035.

11. Yami Bags $50M Series B to Boost Its Online Asian Marketplace – TechCrunch

The LA-based DTC marketplace offers Asian food, skincare products and household goods with over 4k brands. It plans to use funding to open up a warehouse in New Jersey.

12. How Starbucks Workers Unionizing Could Inspire Other Chains to Organize – Eater

Workers at more than 140 Starbucks locations have announced plans to unionize, and at least six of those stores have won their union campaigns, demanding higher wages, better health insurance and better safety protocols during the pandemic.

13. Why 48K California Grocery Workers Have Authorized a Strike – Forbes

Unionized grocery workers have voted to strike in a bid to secure higher wages and safer working conditions in Southern California.

14. What to Know About the Bird Flu Outbreak – New York Times

More than 15m chickens and turkeys from infected commercial and backyard flocks in 19 states have been killed.

15. The Better Meat Co to Debut Mycelium Foie Gras – Food Dive

The foie gras, which will be made from the company’s mycelium-derived Rhiza protein, will first appear on restaurant menus.

Our newsletter is the absolute easiest way to stay on top of the emerging sector, so sign up for it today and never miss the latest food tech and innovation news and trends, Already signed up? Share the love with your friends and colleagues!