Source: Eater

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.

Gene editing of crops and livestock may soon be permitted in England for the first time, breaking away from the EU’s strict policies that made it almost impossible. Environmental and animal welfare groups are voicing concern in response.

The U.S. reportedly lost 372,000 jobs in the hospitality sector in the month of December alone. The industry’s unemployment jumped to 16.1%, erasing job gains made since September.

Last but not least, questions are percolating as to whether or not the Biden administration will be able to reach the goals of his climate plan when it relies on farmers who are often climate skeptics.

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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. Gene Editing of Crops and Livestock May Soon Be Permitted in England – The Guardian

The government has launched consultation to change the current strict EU rules.

2. The US Lost 372K Bar and Restaurant Jobs in December as Resurgent Virus Takes Toll – Eater

Hospitality industry job cuts led employment losses throughout the pandemic-battered economy.

3. Biden’s Climate Plan Relies on Farmers Who Are Often Climate Skeptics – Civil Eats

The administration says the USDA will be a linchpin of its climate strategy, and farmers are waiting to see what support they will get to help meet new goals.

4. Ÿnsect Plans to Make Its Edible Mealworms Available for Human Consumption in Europe, the US – The Spoon

The announcement followed the EU’s approval of mealworms for human consumption.

5. Introducing The Reimagining Food Retail Conversation Series

We’re partnering with S2G Ventures to host a series of conversations exploring how we might reimagine retail. Our goal is to create a space for stakeholders from farm to fork to come together to discuss how we might fundamentally reimagine food retail to make it more resilient, equitable, accessible, diverse, delicious, healthful and climate smart future.

6. Germany: Gorillas, the On-Demand Grocery Delivery Startup Taking Berlin by Storm, Has Raised $44M Series A – TechCrunch

Coatue led the round. Gorillas delivers groceries within an average of ten minutes. Funding will be used for expansion across Germany, accelerating its rollout across more of Europe and building out its Berlin team.

7. Italian E-Grocery Startup Cortilia Raises €34M to Get Fresh Local Food to People’s Homes – Tech.e

Red Circle Investments led the round. Funding will help fuel expansion as a sustainable B-corp.

8. Low-Calorie Snack Brand Nick’s Secures $30M in Funding – FoodBev

Gullspång Invest and Capagro led the round. New funds will support the company’s international expansion with a primary focus on the US and Germany. It will also build a new production facility in Europe.

9. UK On-Demand Supermarket Weezy Raises $20M Series A Led by NYC’s Left Lane Capital – TechCrunch

The cash injection will be used to expand its grocery delivery service across London and the broader UK, and open two fulfillment centers across London.

10. India: Ag Data Player CropIn Banks $20M from Temasek-Linked Impact Fund, Others – AgFunder

ABC World Asia led the round. Funds will be used to expand CropIn’s global presence, starting with the European market.

11. Gallo Finalizes $810M Purchase from Constellation, One of the Biggest Wine Acquisitions in Modern History – SF Chronicle

The FTC had originally objected to the $1.7b deal. Constellation is offloading inexpensive brands as it attempts to focus its efforts on the premium segment of the market.

12. Everything Restaurants Need to Know About the $284B PPP Program – Eater

Here’s how bars, cafes and restaurants can qualify for the PPP loans, which fully convert to grants if used properly.

13. Food & Ag Anti-Racism Resources + Black Food & Farm Businesses to Support

Check out our list of resources to learn about systemic racism in the food and agriculture industries. We also highlight Black food and farm businesses and organizations to support.

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