More organic than thou? Rebel farmers create new food label

In response to the continued clashing of heads within the organic industry, a small group of farmers and scientists calling themselves the Real Organic Project met recently in Vermont to discuss thoughts around a new organic program—one not run under the USDA. These farmers feel that the National Organic Standards Board’s vote to allow hydroponically growing food to be called organic dilutes the value of the organic seal, as does the USDA’s recent decision to not adopt tighter animal welfare measure for organic meat and poultry. Read more at WTOP…

The CEO funding the alt-meat market

Stray Dog Capital isn’t located in trendy Silicon Valley or New York—it’s in Kansas City, Missouri. CEO Lisa Feria believes that for plant-based food innovations to have real impact, they have to appeal to more than the 1 percent of wealthy folks who stay on the cutting edge of healthy food trends. “You have to be in the community to help people think differently,” she says. “We are in an agricultural-focused state, and this is the best place for us.” Stray Dog Capital has invested in some of today's most promising plant-based food companies including Beyond Meat, Geltor, Good Seed, Kite Hill, Memphis Meats, Purple Carrott, Miyoko’s Kitchen and Nutpods. Read more at Ozy…

GrandyOats, Wicked Joe waking up granola with new product

Two eco-friendly Maine businesses have teamed up on a new product for granola maker Grandy Oats. Coffee Crunch Coconola debuted at Natural Products Expo West in March—it’s the latest in Grandy Oats’ line of grain-free coconut granolas, with a special kick from Wicked Joe’s First Track coffee, which is organic and fair trade. Both companies power their operations with solar power and have been recognized for their sustainable practices. Read more at Mainebiz…

These students are trying to invent the next fake meat

In the Alternative Meat Lab at U.C. Berkeley’s Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship in Technology, students are learning about food production, tackling complex food engineering problems and developing prototypes of plant-based meat substitutes. Read more at Yale Climate Connections…

Berkeley’s solidariTEA is organic, sustainably farmed iced tea, with a dose of social justice

A casual social gathering with tea and cookies sparked the idea for this small-farm organic iced tea company that gives 10 cents of the profit from each bottle sold to local arts and social justice nonprofits. Read more at Berkeleyside…