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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.

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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. As Meatpacking Plants Reopen, Data About Worker Illness Remains Elusive – New York Times

While the CDC claimed there were nearly 5k workers infected with the virus, the Food & Environment Reporting Network estimated the number has climbed to more than 17k since last week (FERN updated its count to 18k as of today). There have been 66 meatpacking deaths, and the outbreaks may be even more extensive.

2. Preventing Food Waste Nets Apeel $250M from Singapore’s Government Oprah and Katy Perry – TechCrunch

The company will use its new capital to begin expanding its operations and working with the big farming companies and growers in Africa, Central America and South America. GIC led the round.

3. Reopenings, Resistance, and PPP Loans: How Food Businesses Nationwide Are Handling Coronavirus – Bon Appetit

Coronavirus continues to hit the food industry hard. Hear chefs, grocery store workers, activists, and more share their stories.

4. The Human Cost of Instacart’s Grocery Delivery – The Verge

Eight Instacart workers shed insight into the company’s failure to provide sick pay. By signing up a massive influx of new shoppers, it also made it harder for experienced shoppers to make any money.

5. Covid-19 Has Killed 100 Grocery Store Workers. Vitalina Williams, a ‘Bear Hug of Love,’ Was One. – The Washington Post

She was a cashier at grocery chain Market Basket and worked security for a Walmart.

6. EU Plans to Reduce Pesticides by 50% – Forbes

The plan would also reduce sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals by 50%, and the use of fertilizers by 20%, by 2030. The share of organic farming would also be increased by 25% by 2030 – up from the current 8%.

7. UK: Cloud Canteen Startup Feedr Has Been Acquired by Compass Group for ~$24M – TechCrunch

Compass Group plans to utilize Feedr’s software across its portfolio of corporate clients in the UK and Ireland, with further potential applications of the technology in education and healthcare sectors.

8. Dishcraft Raises $20M, Adds Reusable Takeout Container Cleaning As a Service – The Spoon

Grit Ventures led the round. Funding will go towards expanding its daily dish delivery to include reusable to-go containers and utensils.

9. Good PLANeT Foods Raises $12M to Expand Its Plant-Based Cheese Empire – Food Navigator

Cleveland Avenue led the round. The cash injection will enable the startup to build its team and support its rapid growth.

10. Will Coronavirus Be What Finally Kills Factory Farming? – Newsweek

The animal agriculture industry is imperiled and increasingly precarious as an investment, while its competition has never been in greater shape. The factory farming divestment movement is here—and not a moment too soon.

11. Hunger Program’s Slow Start Leaves Millions of Children Waiting – New York Times

Child hunger is soaring, but two months after Congress approved billions to replace school meals, only 15% of eligible children had received benefits.

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