Perdue Farms signs up for a chicken welfare revolution

Perdue Farms recently invited officials from leading animal welfare organizations to see its newest chicken house. Inside, they found chickens flapping their wings, climbing on straw bales and perching on wooden ramps—all of it bathed in natural light streaming from the windows on all four walls. Although corporate customers pushed the poultry producer to change its practices, the company has realized that better living conditions make for better chicken. Read more at NPR …

Carlotta Mast talks Esca Bona 2017: Collaborating for food system change

New Hope Network’s Esca Bona conference returns to Austin, Texas, in October, with a focus on increasing access to healthy and affordable food. Esca Bona is more than a conference, however; it’s a platform for activists in the Good Food Movement to connect, build relationships and address the big issues that challenge the country’s food system, says Carlotta Mast, New Hope Network’s senior vice president of content and insights. Read more at Food Tank …

New Jersey is cutting food waste to help the climate

A new law in New Jersey aims to shrink the state’s climate footprint and feed the hungry. At the same time. The key is halving the state’s food waste by 2030, which likely will require some new laws about composting, recycling, labeling and donating leftover food. Read more at Climate Central …

Vail Resorts promises to eliminate emissions, waste and offset forest impact by 2030

You might consider it odd that a company known for its ski resorts wants to be 100 percent green in 13 years. But that’s exactly what Vail Resorts, the world’s largest mountain resort operator, is setting out to do. By 2030, the company wants to eliminate emissions, have zero waste and offset its effects on forests and habitats, CEO Rob Katz told employees this week. Read more at Denver Post …

CircleUp will issue loans to help consumer brands grow

CircleUp is going to make it easier for small CPG companies to raise money and avoid cash crunches. The investing platform will offer loans of between $25,000 and $600,000 through its new product, CircleUp Credit Advisors. Read more at TechCrunch …