The Checkout: Kroger Advances With Autonomous Grocery Delivery; Atlast Food Introduces MyBacon
Welcome to The Checkout: an express lane for the weekly news you need to know, always 10 items or less.
Kroger Expands Autonomous Grocery Delivery Partnership
Grocery retailer Kroger and autonomous vehicle company Nuro announced they have expanded their partnership with the introduction of Nuro’s third-generation autonomous delivery vehicle. Under the new partnership the two companies will expand the driverless delivery services’ reach in its existing Houston market and surrounding regions.
“Our expanded collaboration with Nuro supports Kroger’s commitment to provide fresh food, at a great value – all without asking our customers to compromise,” said Yael Cosset, Kroger’s Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, in a press release. “The role of autonomous vehicles in our seamless ecosystem continues to increase, contributing to meeting our customers in the context of their day without compromising on the quality or value, while contributing to our long-term growth and sustainability goals.”
The two companies first partnered in 2018 with a goal of delivering groceries with all-electric, autonomous vehicles. Currently in pilot mode in Houston, the end goal is to create a “seamless ecosystem” where customers can have instant access to fresh groceries through in-store, online or a combination of both platforms.
“We are thrilled to expand our longstanding strategic partnership with Kroger and further our shared vision for the future of goods delivery,” said Dave Ferguson, Nuro co-founder and president, in a press release. “We look forward to leveraging our third-generation, and most advanced, autonomous vehicle to date to continue to build on the success of this program.”
Atlast Foods Introduces MyBacon With Whitecrest Mushrooms
Alternative protein maker Atlast Foods announced that it has teamed up with Whitecrest Mushrooms Ltd to produce its plant-based MyBacon strips at commercial scale. Atlast Foods, which is an affiliate of food tech company Ecovative, uses its AirMycelium technology to harvest mycelium, the root structure of mushroom, and create a “whole-cut experience” that mimics the texture and flavor of traditional bacon.
To support this launch Ontario-based Whitecrest Mushrooms will build out a new mycelium farm. Covering less than an acre of land, the farm will be able to produce upwards of three million pounds of MyBacon mycelium each year.
“After more than a decade of experience growing and producing the highest quality gourmet mushrooms, we’re excited to leverage our expertise in the new market of alternative proteins,” said Murray Good, owner and president of Whitecrest Mushrooms Ltd, in a press release. “This partnership has given us new opportunities to innovate in an entirely new landscape while keeping sustainability at the core of our practice.”
Atlast Food Co is also developing its own vertical mycelium farming operation in the Hudson River Valley area. MyBacon is currently available at Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany, NY and the company will be focused on expanding distribution throughout 2022.
“Atlast began as a question on how to disrupt factory farming and help alleviate the climate crisis, and we found the solution waiting for us in nature,” said Eben Bayer, co-founder and CEO of Ecovative and Atlast Food Co, in a press release. “By growing mycelium, we produce food in a climate-conscious way that doesn’t compromise on taste. Now more than ever, Spaceship Earth needs more plant-based food options.”
Upcycled Certified Garners ‘Higher Than Expected’ Food Waste Prevention Results
The Upcycled Food Association (UFA) announced that it expects to divert 703 million pounds of food waste annually following new data from the initial six months of its Upcycled Certified verification project. To-date, 141 products and ingredients have earned the certification which is granted by third-party organization, Where Food Comes From.
“Upcycled Certified has been even more successful than we imagined,” said Turner Wyatt, CEO of Upcycled Food Association, in a press release. “This represents a major shift in our consumer product and retail environments because for the first time, consumers can help to prevent food waste every time they walk into a grocery store.”
Companies ranging from Del Monte Foods to Chai Smash have received the certification and UFA will launch a series of marketing initiatives to promote verified products throughout the year. According to a 2021 Study on Food Waste conducted by food innovation company Mattson, more than half of consumers are more likely to buy after seeing the Upcycled Certified mark on pack.
“Not only is Upcycled Certified a critical way for this burgeoning industry to track it’s impact, it’s also an effective way to educate an increasingly values-driven consumer base about the solvable problem of wasted food,” said Eva Goulbourne, Board President of Upcycled Food Foundation, in a press release. “It offers them an immediate and tangible solution when they purchase Upcycled Certified products.”