7 Crucial Food Innovations Built To Combat Climate Change
It feels like the world around us is rapidly changing. In just a few months, we’ve experienced record-breaking wildfires, tropical storms, and nationwide egg shortages. Climate disasters that have uprooted millions of lives and hit two industries especially hard: agriculture and food.
According to Climate.gov, 2024 saw 27 climate disasters that each caused over a billion dollars in damage — five more than the previous record set in 2020, and just one short of 2023’s all-time high of 28. Climate change isn’t new, but when it starts driving up grocery prices, it hits a lot closer to home.
It’s hard to say whether it’s a growing trend—data on the issue is mixed. Still, the uncertainty has sparked a wave of climate-proofing innovations in agriculture and food production. From China’s resilient potatoes to upcycled ingredients and indoor-grown beer, companies are working to future-proof our food supply. If climate disasters keep rising, these seven innovations might just help us weather the storm.
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BEAN-LESS COFFEE
According to Drive Research, nearly 3 in 4 Americans drink a cup of coffee each day. Coffee also happens to be one of the world’s biggest producers of greenhouse gases.
Not only does coffee emit massive amounts of greenhouse gases, 50% of the farmland is estimated to disappear by 2050, per National Geographic. Bean-less coffee can deliver the taste and energetic kick coffee lovers enjoy while reducing emissions.
Prefer and Atomo are two “bean-less coffee” brands that use alternative ingredients with a smaller carbon footprint. Atomo, a Seattle-based company founded by food scientist Jarret Stopforth and entrepreneur Andy Kleitsch uses upcycled date pits. While Prefer, a Singapore-based company cofounded by neuroscience major Jake Berber, makes coffee from a blend of bread, soy, and barley.
Not only does coffee emit massive amounts of greenhouse gases, 50% of the farmland is estimated to disappear by 2050, per National Geographic. Bean-less coffee can deliver the taste and energetic kick coffee lovers enjoy while reducing emissions.
Prefer and Atomo are two “bean-less coffee” brands that use alternative ingredients with a smaller carbon footprint. Atomo, a Seattle-based company founded by food scientist Jarret Stopforth and entrepreneur Andy Kleitsch uses upcycled date pits. While Prefer, a Singapore-based company cofounded by neuroscience major Jake Berber, makes coffee from a blend of bread, soy, and barley.
INDOOR BEER HOP-CULTIVATION
Ekonoke is an indoor hop harvesting company based in Madrid, Spain. Hops, the ingredient that gives beer its bitterness, aroma, and flavor, are also highly susceptible to climate change. Harvests fluctuate from season to season due to climate-related stress, which causes a 30% year-on-year yield variation. There was a 16% drop in production between 2023 and 2024, per Craft Brewing Business.
Indoor hop harvesting can take place in any climate, removing reliance on specific conditions, and requiring 90% less water. The technology also allows you to optimize aroma and other characteristics. Ekonoke can track the exact number of hops in a harvest and its overall quality control, as well. The company’s goal is to make the technology not only a sustainable alternative, but a global standard.
Indoor hop harvesting can take place in any climate, removing reliance on specific conditions, and requiring 90% less water. The technology also allows you to optimize aroma and other characteristics. Ekonoke can track the exact number of hops in a harvest and its overall quality control, as well. The company’s goal is to make the technology not only a sustainable alternative, but a global standard.
CLIMATE-RESISTANT COOKIES
This family-owned business continues a milling tradition passed down for five generations. Based and produced in Greece, Olyra uses ancient grains to make cookies and Mediterranean milanos filled with sweet and fruity fillings. In place of wheat, it stone-grinds drought-tolerant and regenerative grains like spelt, oat, lupine, and barley — all of which are organic and non-GMO. According to Bloomberg, countries around the world have begun stockpiling grains in response to global supply shortages.
Olyra’s flavors include dark chocolate, cinnamon tahini, apple cinnamon, strawberry, hazelnut carob, fig anise, and more. A single serving ranges from 4 to 5 grams of protein with 9 grams of dietary fiber. Olyra snacks are available in various countries, and at Sprouts, United, and select Whole Foods locations in the U.S.
Olyra’s flavors include dark chocolate, cinnamon tahini, apple cinnamon, strawberry, hazelnut carob, fig anise, and more. A single serving ranges from 4 to 5 grams of protein with 9 grams of dietary fiber. Olyra snacks are available in various countries, and at Sprouts, United, and select Whole Foods locations in the U.S.
COCOA-FREE CHOCOLATE
Win-Win is a London-based “alt-chocolate” brand launched in 2021. Founders Ahrum Pak and Dr. Johnny Drain lead the innovative startup, which replaces cacao beans with legumes, British barley, and carob. With the help of traditional fermentation and roasting techniques, Win-Win captures the taste, consistency, and melt of the real thing.
Cocoa crops are highly susceptible to climate change. Dry weather conditions in West Africa, where nearly 60% of the world’s chocolate is produced, has caused a global cocoa shortage and a dramatic increase in prices. This vegan chocolate alternative eliminates deforestation, requires 90% less water, and releases 80% less greenhouse emissions. It is also caffeine and gluten-free, and doesn’t include palm-oil like most commercial brands.
Along with reducing the carbon footprint, cocoa-free chocolate helps shed light on the darker side of the industry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, at least 1.56 million children are child laborers on cocoa farms in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Win-Win is currently available online only by contacting the company directly. It comes in a 2.5 kilogram pouch and 10 kilogram lined box.
Cocoa crops are highly susceptible to climate change. Dry weather conditions in West Africa, where nearly 60% of the world’s chocolate is produced, has caused a global cocoa shortage and a dramatic increase in prices. This vegan chocolate alternative eliminates deforestation, requires 90% less water, and releases 80% less greenhouse emissions. It is also caffeine and gluten-free, and doesn’t include palm-oil like most commercial brands.
Along with reducing the carbon footprint, cocoa-free chocolate helps shed light on the darker side of the industry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, at least 1.56 million children are child laborers on cocoa farms in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Win-Win is currently available online only by contacting the company directly. It comes in a 2.5 kilogram pouch and 10 kilogram lined box.
UPCYCLED FOOD STOCK
Reduced upcycles food waste into flavor concentrates and seasonings that can be used in cooking. It was founded in 2020 by lawyer Emil Munck de Voss and chef William Anton Lauf Olsen. Over 8-10% of global carbon emissions comes from food waste and loss — fives times that of the aerospace industry. With its “Waste to Taste (W2T)” fermentation technology, the company transforms food waste into additive-free flavors. Creating concentrates takes just three days and emits 83% less CO2 emissions.
Shore crab is one flavor concentrate; a toasted, shellfish-forward umami that’s sweet and earthy. It was designed to pair well with soups, sauces, marinades, and pasta. There are also mushroom, vegetable, and chicken concentrates, along with variations. Reduced hopes to eventually offer them to consumers. Currently, samples are only available to industry and foodservice workers by request.
Shore crab is one flavor concentrate; a toasted, shellfish-forward umami that’s sweet and earthy. It was designed to pair well with soups, sauces, marinades, and pasta. There are also mushroom, vegetable, and chicken concentrates, along with variations. Reduced hopes to eventually offer them to consumers. Currently, samples are only available to industry and foodservice workers by request.
RENEWABLE AIR-BASED PROTEIN BARS
We’ve been following Solar Foods for some time now, the innovative foodtech startup that uses renewable air and electricity to produce a new protein called “Solein.” Solein Protein Bites – Nut Mix Edition is the first commercial product from the company releasing in the U.S. Unlike soy, pea, or whey, Solein has all the 9 essential amino acids without cholesterol or saturated fats and contains iron and vitamin B12, which plant-based proteins typically lack. It also has a mild taste that can be made into any flavor.
This innovative chocolate-coated protein bar is loaded with real peanut butter and crunchy hazelnuts. It’s 100% animal-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO, which makes it suitable for a wide range of diets. Solein Protein Bites are currently being presented at food conventions nationwide.
This innovative chocolate-coated protein bar is loaded with real peanut butter and crunchy hazelnuts. It’s 100% animal-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO, which makes it suitable for a wide range of diets. Solein Protein Bites are currently being presented at food conventions nationwide.
PEANUT-FREE BUTTER SPREAD
Finally is a brand that makes nut-free spreads from chickpeas that mimic the taste and texture of peanut butter. Not only is chickpea butter great for people with nut-allergies, chickpeas offer several advantages to peanuts, like improving soil fertility and enhanced drought resistance. According to a study published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal, chickpeas are considered an essential crop to future food security.
Finally offers three creamy flavors: Classic, Cookie Butter, and Cocoa, which pair perfectly with toast, crackers, and fruits. The brand is primarily in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, but you can also find it on Amazon.
Finally offers three creamy flavors: Classic, Cookie Butter, and Cocoa, which pair perfectly with toast, crackers, and fruits. The brand is primarily in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, but you can also find it on Amazon.
