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.

South Korea has unveiled a groundbreaking national strategy to foster its plant-based food sector, closely following in the footsteps of a global trend. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a significant culinary worker strike in the United States is sending shockwaves through the nation’s restaurant scene as thousands of workers unite to demand improved wages and protections, potentially heralding a transformation in the restaurant industry landscape.

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. South Korea Unveils National Plan to Promote Plant-Based Food Industry – Green Queen

South Korea becomes the second nation in the space of two weeks to announce a national plan dedicated to boosting local plant-based food production and promoting alt-protein consumption.

2. A Culinary Worker Strike Could Reshape the Nation’s Restaurants – Civil Eats

Thousands of food and beverage workers are striking across the country and demanding higher wages and better protections. The outcome could have ripple effects across the US.

3. New FoodPrint Report Exposes Shocking Impact of ‘Forever Chemicals’ on the Food System – Food Tank

“The FoodPrint of PFAS” studies the PFAS crisis in Maine, revealing how these forever chemicals affect farmers and how these stories can spearhead remediation, regulation, and advocacy efforts for protecting public health.

4. The Big Ag Lobby is Influencing EU Politicians to Oppose Pesticide Reduction and Green Policies – Green Queen

A new investigation has revealed the deep ties between ag lobby groups and EU politicians, who are consequently pushing against the bloc’s green agriculture reforms around pesticide use, ecosystem restoration and the Farm to Fork strategy.

5. Thirst and Hunger Grow in Besieged Gaza Amid Israeli Bombardment – New York Times

Residents wait in line for hours for bread and water, with fights sometimes breaking out. The United Nations has called the situation a humanitarian catastrophe.

6. VCs Bet On Ag Biotech & Farmtech As the New Stars of Asia-Pacific’s Agrifoodtech Ecosystem – AFN

Investment in Asia-Pacific agrifoodtech startups reached $6.5b in 2022, a 58% year-over-year decline on 2021’s record-breaking year.

7. Ex-Officials At UN Farming Body Say Work on Methane Emissions Was Censored – The Guardian

Pressure from agriculture lobbies led to role of cattle in rising global temperatures being underplayed by FAO.

8. APAC Startups Developing Plant Fats, Whole Cuts & Cultured Pet Food Backed by Climate-Centric VC Fund – Green Queen

Better Bite Ventures has announced investments in three APAC food tech startups as part of its early-stage First Bite initiative and has opened applications for the next funding round.

9. Consumers Blurring Lines Between In-Store and Online Grocery Shopping – PYMNTS

Consumers are buying their groceries both online and in-store, a phenomenon known as hybrid purchasing, and this reality is set to upend retailers’ strategies.