5@5: Solar geoengineering's impact on crops | Nonalcoholic outlook | No cell-cultured meat in 2021

Solar geoengineering may be surprisingly effective in alleviating impacts of global warming on crops

Putting aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and reduce global warming, otherwise known as solar geoengineering, could be far more effective than was previously assumed in alleviating several of the worst impacts of global warming on crops. Researchers looked at three types of solar geoengineering and their impact on the global yield of maize, sugarcane, wheat, rice, soy and cotton and found that all three potential solar geoengineering methods have a strong cooling effect that would benefit crop yields. Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences reports.

Outlook bright for nonalcoholic market

The nonalcoholic beverage category grew 4.5% over 2019 and 2020, while the low-ABV sector declined 5.5%, according to The Food Institute. The former is expected to increase a significant 31% by 2024; this may be because consumers find low-alcohol offerings confusing compared to their no-alcohol counterparts. It would also appear that health-conscious millennials are still at the forefront of this movement.

Cell-cultured meat on shelves this year? It's unlikely

The U.S. federal government doesn't seem eager to grant approval to cell-based meat products in the near future. But that hasn't stopped companies like Upside Foods (formerly known as Memphis Meats) from launching educational marketing materials regarding their products to consumers that don't yet have access to them. So far, USDA and the Food and Drug Administration have agreed to jointly regulate the sector when the time comes. And with all the investor money pouring into these startups, it's not a question of if consumers will be able to buy lab-grown meat products anymore. Head to The Counter for more details.

I own an Asian food company. Here's why we won't use the word 'authentic'

In this Today article, co-founder of Asian food brand Omsom Kim Pham explains why the brand omits the word "authentic" from its messaging in an effort to reframe how the West views Asian food. The term "authentic" can hinder chefs of color and their cuisines by making it difficult to break out of tradition and get creative with dishes. Compare that with the freedom Western cuisines are afforded to be novel, innovative, upscale, modern or "fusion" and it's quickly apparent how the "authentic" standardboth takes away complexity and lowers price points.

Kroger, Hy-Vee, Publix join retailers relaxing face mask policies

The Kroger Co., Hy-Vee and Publix Super Markets are among the growing list of retailers no longer requiring face coverings for shoppers fully vaccinated against COVID-19; however, extra cleaning, sanitization, safety and social distancing measures will continue to be implemented at most of these locations. Through the morning of May 19, 47.9% of the U.S. population had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, with 37.8% fully immunized, according to CDC data. Supermarket News has the scoop.