Image Credit: Green Queen

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.

In recent headlines, the UK explores a potential game-changing deal with Israel to fast-track cultivated meat approval, addressing food security and sustainability concerns. Meanwhile, the expiration of the Farm Bill in the US has prompted questions about the future of agricultural policies. Additionally, a new global framework aims to revitalize regenerative agriculture practices in response to the alarming degradation of farmland worldwide, emphasizing the need for transformative changes to ensure food security.

In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of our podcast in partnership with AgFunder: New Food Order, a nuanced investigation into the business of tackling our climate and social crises through food and agriculture. Read all about why we launched the podcast, and be sure to subscribe and share!

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1. UK: A Bilateral Deal with Israel Could Fast-Track UK Cultivated Meat Approval – Green Queen

UK ministers and regulators are looking to accelerate the approval of cultivated meat to boost food security, ease the cost of living, and provide alternative, planet-friendly meat sources for a growing population.

2. The Farm Bill Expired. What Happens Now? – Modern Farmer

Congress did not pass this critical omnibus bill by the September 30th deadline. Here’s what to expect.

3. New Global Framework Seeks to Streamline Regenerative Agriculture Practices – GreenBiz

The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform warns that half the world’s farmland is degraded and only a major transformation will ensure food security.

4. Blue Apron to Be Acquired by Wonder Group for $103M, Capping Tumultuous Post-IPO Ride – CNBC

The sale caps years of ups and downs for Blue Apron, once a leader in at-home meal deliveries.

5. UAE Plans to Create $10B Food Sector & 20,000 Jobs – What Does It Mean for Alt-Protein? – Green Queen

The seven pillars of growth focus on localization, regulatory advancements and empowering farmers – what does this mean for alt-protein?

6. Paine Schwartz Partners Closes $1.7B Fund – Food Business News

The fund is aimed at investing in the food and agribusiness value chain.

7. True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine Case Study – Tufts University

This report features two national case studies evaluating the health equity and economic benefits of medically tailored meals and produce prescription programs, providing the first “true cost” analysis of implementing Food is Medicine programs across the country.

8. Digesting GenZ-eitgeist – Snaxshot

A guest interview with Snaxshot’s Communications Intern, Anja Westhues, who shares her perspective on industry trade shows she’s attended as a Gen Z consumer.

9. The Economy of Desire – MAD Feed

Is this the moment when restaurants finally adopt dynamic pricing? And if so, what does it say about us?

10. Big Food vs. Big Pharma: Companies Bet On Snacking Just As Weight Loss Drugs Boom – CNBC

Food companies are making big bets on snacking, but the rise of Wegovy, Ozempic and similar drugs could pose a threat to future sales growth.