Gothenburg, Sweden (CNN) Halfway between Copenhagen and Oslo, on a rocky Swedish coastline, lies the largest non-capital in the Nordics.

Gothenburg has always played second fiddle to its big sister Stockholm. Historically seen as a lesser city -- more Volvo-industrial Sweden than sexy Spotify Sweden -- this salty seaport has spent the past few decades completely reinventing itself after the collapse of its vital shipbuilding industry in the 1970s.

The city does retain some of its industrial roots, but it's also a youthful university town, a high-tech research hub and, most importantly, a leader in sustainability whose population is expected to balloon by a third over the next 15 years thanks to its increasing allure.

Liseberg theme park's rides and attractions are all powered by renewable wind energy.

Mark Johanson

Despite the superlatives, Katarina Thorstensson, head of sustainability at tourism board Gteborg & Co, says "we try not to rub the word sustainability in peoples' faces, but rather communicate it in the atmosphere."

"To us, sustainability is very much about making a livable and a lovable city," she explains. "If the people of Gothenburg like living here, then other people will probably like to come here, too."

Gothenburg is a green city, in part, thanks to its closeness to forests and parks, but also on account of its compact layout and plentiful public transportation, 65% of which runs on renewable energy.

So what does all of this eco-mindedness look like in practice? Here's how you can eat, drink, sleep, shop and explore the greener side of Gothenburg.

What to do

Jubileumsparken features a free public sauna with changing facilities made from recycled bottles.

Mark Johanson

Gothenburg claims an astounding 274 square meters (2,950 square feet) of green space per citizen. That translates to loads of urban parkland to visit on a (not so rare as you'd think) sunny day.

Vast Slottsskogen is ideal for serene forest walks, while Keillers Park offers hilltop strolls and soaring views over the bustling harbor. Sinewy Kungsparken is the most central of all. It forms a green girdle around the heart of town, lying on land that once held ramparts protecting Gothenburg from pesky Danish invaders.

Anyone can come here to swim in the public pool, bathe at a city beach, grow food in the urban garden, try out roller derby or sailing, or just relax by the water -- all free of charge. There's also a highly Instagrammable (and free to use) public sauna whose changing facilities were made from 12,000 recycled bottles.

Where to eat and drink

Taverna Averna sources organic produce for its creative thin-crust pizzas and salads from its rooftop garden.

Mark Johanson

If Swedes have one national obsession it's fika, which translates to "a cake and coffee break" but is so much more than that in reality. Fika is a daily social ritual, an attitude and a Swedish state of mind. It's also a delicious injection of caffeine and sugar that keeps the country running.

Wherever you go, briny crustaceans like crayfish and lobster from the nearby Bohusln Coast are your best bet for true locavore cuisine. The critters are so fresh here you only need lemon and butter for seasoning.

Where to sleep

Hotel Eggers gets its electricity from its own wind turbine off the coast.

Mark Johanson

A staggering 92% of all accommodation options in Gothenburg are eco-certified by regional sustainability organizations, so you can sleep easy knowing that your hotel is doing its part.

This glittery highrise hotel by Liseberg not only receives its energy from wind power, but also recycles 94% of its waste (leftover food goes to a local charity, while scraps are converted into the biogas fueling ovens in its five restaurants).

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Is this the world's most forward-thinking city? - CNN

One of the main arguments you hear against organic food is the price. Its perceived as being too expensive. In reality, I think this argument is only partially true. Consider the air miles, the animal welfare and the potential impact of intensive farming practices on our environment.

All of that said, I understand that Im typing this from a privileged position. For me, a couple of quid isnt going to break the bank. Im able to choose to eat organic because I can afford it. I can preach about saving the planet and higher animal welfare standards because I have those extra pennies in my pocket. But lets be honest, I dont have that many pennies. I lost my job in August through redundancy, and while I job hunt, Ive been pulling my belt in. Its meant that Ive been searching for ways to reduce my food spend and you know what? Eating organic doesnt have to be expensive, but it does take some dedication.

Ive realised that you might need to shop around, but if youre savvy and plan ahead, organic doesnt have to cost much more than a usual supermarket shop.

Buying reduced organic food in bulk and freezing can help save money. Image @GingeyBites.

Ive been hitting the reduced section hard. Organic meat is more expensive, and theres no getting away from that. Youre paying for farming techniques, smaller crops, lower yields, legislation and regulation. Ultimately, that organic stamp on your leg of lamb or chicken symbolises a better product. A tastier piece of meat that has come from an animal raised with higher welfare standards and on a farm which practices environmentally friendly farming techniques. Ive also found that some organic meat goes a lot further. A couple of richer sausages do the work of a packet in a stew, chicken breast dont shrivel into nothing in the pan.

Waitrose and Sainsburys usually have a decent range of organic meat, and this often ends up in the yellow sticker section, but youll really hit the jackpot if you visit your local organic supermarket or farm shop. Our Riverford veg box, with the addition of eggs and milk costs around 14.00 and for the amount of food we get, I dont think thats a lot of money.A quick tot-up on the Sainsburys website brings a similar non-organic shop to just under 9.00.

I appreciate that independent organic supermarkets dont exist everywhere. If youre lucky enough to live in Bristol, Brighton or London, for example, places like Better Food Co, HISBE and Planet Organic are your best friends.

If there is reduced price meat on offer, I buy the lot and stick it in the freezer. I do the same with vegetables. This requires a bit more time as you will need to cook them pretty soon after purchase.

If you can get your hands on a lot of one or two items, Id recommend cooking them into stews, soups and sauces and then freezing them. Aubergines and courgettes are perfect for vegetable curries, and pasta sauce with fresh tomatoes always tastes better than tinned. Think creatively leafy greens and root veg can be turned into stock. Freeze it in sandwich bags, jars or ice cube trays. Chillies freeze well too, as does milk and even cheese. There are so many things we can freeze. Did you know, for example, you can even freeze mashed potato?

Your shopping might take a little longer, and require some time in the kitchen to prep food into freezable states but if you have the time, its worth it for the satisfaction in knowing that youre able to shop organic even when money is tight.

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Be savvy and eat organic on a budget - Wicked Leeks

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Global Organic Food Products Market (2019-2024) Share, Scope, Revenue, Trends, Drivers, Challenges, Segmentation based on Product Types (Fruits, Vegetables and grains, Dairy, Beverages, Ready-to-eat, Meat and eggs, Others) Distribution channel and Geography" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The organic food products market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 15.4% during the forecast period (2019-2024) and will reach a value of USD 303 Bn by 2024.

In recent years, organic food products have been contributing significantly to the global food industry. This is mainly due to improved awareness regarding the detrimental effects of consuming the chemicals that are used to produce and store food products. Consumers have also become more health-conscious and show interest in the nutrition contents of the food products they consume. Organic food products are fresh, free from chemicals, and have more nutritional benefits compared to conventional food.

Segmentation based on type:

The fruits, vegetables, and grains segment will hold the largest market share during the analysis period and is anticipated to expand at a significant CAGR of 17%. The products in this category form the basis for many secondary food items and are a major chunk of people's staples.

These factors enable this segment to hold pole position in terms of market share. The growth can be attributed to the rapid increase in agricultural land, globally. Livestock products like meat, eggs, and dairy are the second-largest source of pesticide intake. On the contrary, the organic versions of these products have various nutritional benefits, making them the preferred versions for people who can afford them.

Distribution channel segment insights:

Individual customers are the bulk of the customer base, with the rest accounted for by restaurants. Supermarkets are the most preferred distribution channel for organic food products, mainly due to their ability to allocate higher advertising budgets, extensive product stocks, and investments in advanced storage facilities.

Since it is a niche market, all-organic speciality stores play a vital role in the development of the market. Their focus on all-organic product lines and the ability to give recommendations and enhanced insights are some of the qualities that customers appreciate. Also, they exclusively sell organic food products, which helps them attract new customers.

E-commerce has witnessed exponential growth in recent years since millennials find this channel to be the most convenient mode of purchase. This has led to the emergence of numerous grocery e-commerce websites and mobile applications. These players will help in the expansion of the organic food products market since customers who live in remote areas and away from stores can access these products.

Regional insights:

The organic food products market in the Latin America and Asia-Pacific region are expected to exhibit higher growth rates in comparison to the other regions, owing to the abundant availability of organic farmlands, and high production volumes. Moreover, customers' changing tastes, primarily because of a higher number of millennials, is expected to influence purchase preferences in favour of organic food products.

Companies covered:

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

1.1. Market scope and segmentation

1.2. Key questions answered in this study

1.3. Executive summary

2 Introduction

2.1. Market definition

2.2. Market overview

2.2.1 Global market revenue (USD Bn)

2.2.2 Global forecasted market revenue (USD Bn)

2.3. Market drivers

2.4. Market trends

2.5. Market challenges

2.6. Value chain analysis

3 Global Organic Food Products Market - Based on Type

3.1. Fruits, vegetables and grains - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

3.2. Dairy - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

3.3. Beverages - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

3.4. Ready-to-eat - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

3.5. Meat and egg - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

3.6. Others' - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

4 Global Organic Food Products Market - Based on Distribution Channel

4.1. Supermarket - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

4.2. Specialty store - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

4.3. E-commerce - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

4.4. Others' - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

5 North America Organic Food Products Market

5.1. Market overview

5.2. Market observations

5.3. Based on type - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

5.4. Based on distribution channel - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

6 Europe Organic Food Products Market

6.1. Market overview

6.2. Market observations

6.3. Based on type - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

6.4. Based on distribution channel - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

7 Asia-Pacific Organic Food Products Market

7.1. Market overview

7.2. Market observations

7.3. Based on type - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

7.4. Based on distribution channel - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

8 Latin America Organic Food Products Market

8.1. Market overview

8.2. Market observations

8.3. Based on type - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

8.4. Based on distribution channel - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

9 The Middle East and Africa Organic Food Products Market

9.1. Market overview

9.2. Market observations

9.3. Based on type - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

9.4. Based on distribution channel - forecasted (2019-2024) market size (USD Bn), and key observations

10 Competitive Landscape

10.1 Company snapshot

10.2 Products

10.3 Strategic initiatives

10.4 Countries present

10.5 Key people and numbers

11 Conclusion

11.1. PESTEL analysis

11.2. Future outlook

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gypz2b

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Global Organic Food Products Market 2019-2024: Focus on Fruits, Vegetables and grains, Dairy, Beverages, Ready-to-eat, Meat and eggs, Others -...

The new study by economics bureau L'Institut National de la Statistique et des tudes conomiques (Insee), was published on Tuesday October 29.

It found that in its last countrywide count - in 2016 - there were no fewer than 1,970 local shops of this kind across the country, of a 57,000 local shops in total.

The report said: Specialist organic food shops (under brands such as La Vie Claire, Biocoop and Naturalia) are [now] present across the whole of France.

The highest number of such shops can be found to the south and west of Paris; followed by Brittany, several departments in Occitanie, and in Rhne-Alpes.

The report said: This partly aligns to areas in which the culture of organic products is most developed.

From a consumer standpoint, this growth in popularity of organic shops appears to be prompting larger supermarket brands to offer more organic ranges, making the option more cost-effective.

In 2018, the Agence Bio - which counts all of the organic food brands in the country - said that it had received twice as many notifications of new brands than in 2016.

Examples would include Bio Village at E.Leclerc, Bio at Carrefour, and Bio at Auchan.

A 2017 study by consumer researchers UFC-Que Choisir? found that a standard shopping basket from an organic food shop cost 28% more than the same basket at a normal supermarket, with the exception of loose fruit and vegetables.

This is due to differing business models, with supermarkets based on high volume and lower sales prices, compared to that of less volume but higher prices at organic shops, Insee said.

But now, more than half of the organic food products sold in France are now bought at a normal supermarket, the Insee report found.

Location-wise, the study showed that 83% of local organic food shops are still found in central urban areas.

This was in comparison to normal supermarkets, which are more likely to be more spread out (just 71% were located in busy, urban areas), making them more accessible to people living slightly further away from town centres.

The report also said that there are still regional disparities between the availability of organic food shops in different areas of the country.

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Organic food becoming more accessible in France - The Connexion

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Nearly three out of every four baby food items sold in the United States include trace amounts of arsenic, with some containing much more of the harmful carcinogen than others.

A recent study conducted by Healthy Babies Bright Future (HBBF) found that 95% of all popular baby foods in the country contain toxic heavy metals, with 73% containing arsenic.

Researchers tested 168 different baby food items, consisting of 61 brands and 13 types of food, including infant formula, teething biscuits, cereals, and fruit juices, all of which were selected by parents at their local stores and online. The study tested for arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.

Of the 123 baby food items that tested positive for arsenic, these 10 contained the highest amount, measured in parts per billion (ppb):

HappyBABY Organic Rice Cakes Puffed Rice Snack - Apple Snack: 455 ppb

BioKinetics BioKinetics Brown Rice Organic Sprouted Whole Grain Baby Cereal: 353 ppb

O Organics (Albertson/Safeway) Organic Puffs - Apple Strawberry Snack: 309 ppb

Simple Truth Organic (Kroger) Whole Grain Puffs Broccoli & Spinach Snack: 307 ppb

HappyBABY Superfood Puffs Organic Grain Snack - Sweet Potato & Carrot Snack: 295 ppb

HappyBABY Superfood Puffs - Apple & Broccoli Organic Grain Snack - for crawling baby: 266 ppb

Healthy Times Organic Brown Rice Cereal - 4+ months: 153 ppb

Earths Best Whole Grain Rice Cereal: 138 ppb

Earths Best Whole Grain Rice Cereal: 126 ppb

Beech-Nut Rice Single Grain Baby Cereal - Stage 1, from about 4 months: 117 ppb

Arsenic is a Grade-A carcinogen, known to cause lung, skin and bladder cancer. The toxic metal is also known to harm the development of the brain and nervous system, with at least 13 studies linking arsenic to IQ loss in children.

According to the HBBF study, lead was found in 94% of baby foods, cadmium in 75%, arsenic in 73% and mercury in 32% of foods. Twenty-six percent of baby foods contained all four metals, 40% contained three metals, 21% contained two metals, and 8% contained only one metal. Only 5% (nine baby foods) contained no metals.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is demanding new federal action by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would force the baby food industry to address the safety issue.

According to the study, while the FDA has proposed to limit the amount of toxic heavy metals in baby food in the past, no action has been taken to this point.

ADVICE FOR PARENTS

HBBF recommended five healthier food substitutions that can help in reducing babies exposure to heavy toxic metals:

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These 10 baby foods have the highest levels of arsenic, says report - SILive.com

Have you ever had moment of supermarket paralysis, standingwith an organic vegetable in hand and the moral part of your brain urging you to put it in your shopping basket, while your brains financial overseer stubbornly resists? For a moment the two logics fiercely compete, before one wins out. Later, at the supermarket till, there can be a jarring feeling of cognitive dissonance to see a mixed basket of conventional and organic items.

Surely, we should either stick to our moral compass and buy everything organic, or we should remain financially savvy and purchase all conventional? Mixing half and half seems like the worst of all worlds.

Yet it turns out that not all organic foods are equal. A group of scientists, led by Laurence Smith of Cranfield University, have now quantified the greenhouse gases produced from farming different types of grain, vegetable and livestock using both conventional and organic methods. Their results are published in the journal Nature Communications.

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Organic farming is a way of growing food which uses fewer artificial chemical inputs such as synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. This means it generally has a lower environmental impact per field.

But because yields tend to be lower, organic farming means more land is needed to produce the same amount of crops or livestock. Thats why Smith and his colleagues used a life-cycle assessment, a technique to assess the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a products life, from production to final consumption. In doing so, they broadened the lens from just looking at the emissions produced during the farming process to also include emissions from inputs, such as the production of synthetic fertiliser for conventional crops.

They found that, over the full life cycle, some organic crops such as beans, potato, oats and spring barley produce higher greenhouse gas emissions per ton than on conventional farms, while others such as oilseed rape, rye, winter barley and wheat were more efficient under organic production. In terms of livestock, pigs, beef and sheep were more environmentally friendly under organic production, but poultry was not.

So, in order to achieve its new target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, perhaps the UK should promote organic production of selected foods?

If we produced all foods organically, the UK could see a huge rise in emissions (iStock)

This appears to make sense. However, in a novel twist, Smith and colleagues suggest that, if all the people inEngland and Wales switched to buying organic food, they could not grow enough to feed even their own countries. They would need to import more food from overseas, which means more emissions from boats, lorries and planes while, in another unintended consequence, grasslands that store carbon would be converted to grow crops, effectively causing further emissions.

They estimate that feeding England and Wales alone would require more than seven million hectares of land overseas, nearly five times the area currently used. Under medium land-use conversion scenarios, this could lead to 70 per cent more greenhouse gas emissions from people all eating organic food compared to conventional products.

The systems thinking approach used in this study is very worthwhile too often, we take a blinkered approach to problems and miss the bigger picture. Yet we can broaden the lens even further and ask what other factors might change at the same time. People are becoming increasingly aware of the scale of food waste, for instance, and diets may be changing away from emissions-intensive foods such as red meat. If we reduced food waste and improved diets, while further increasing the yield efficiency of organic farming, there would be less need to import from overseas.

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We also need to use long-term thinking to understand what will happen if the UK continues with conventional farming. We know that these intensive farming methods lead to loss of biodiversity, reduced water quality and poorer soil health, which ultimately makes food production more vulnerable. Eventually, farmers risk degrading the environment so much that some countries, including the UK, would rely on other countries for food anyway.

So, where does that lead us on the question of organic food? Each of us has the power to inflict damage or to heal the environment with our purchases and, if we can afford to, we should choose wisely. It turns out it is ok to have a mixed shopping basket, as some organic products are better for the environment than others. However, its hard to make such choices, as food labels arent clear enough about their emissions and other environmental impacts.

With new big data approaches for tracking product sources and impacts, information for consumers is improving. In the meantime, one way might be to try to buy seasonal and local organic food where possible. Then you can be sure to reduce overseas emissions from transport and land conversion, and there is the added bonus that it will help restore your local farmed landscape.

Tom Oliver is a professor of applied ecology at the University of Reading. Bob Doherty is a professor of marketing and chair of agrifood at the University of York. This article first appeared on The Conversation.

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Entirely organic farming could raise food emissions by 70 per cent in England and Wales - The Independent

A university in Prague is growing food in adverse conditions likely to survive on Mars.

The red planet maintains an extreme climate, with the highest temperatures hovering around -25 C and lows of down to -102 C according to NASA. Water exists on Mars in very small quantities and usually in ice form, meaning it is implausible that plants would be able to grow there conventionally.

In an experiment at Czech University of Life Sciences, agricultural scientists are growing mustard plants and strawberries using aeroponics, to see if they can survive without water.

Calling it the Marsonaut experiment, lead scientist Jan Lukacevic has already achieved growth of mustard plants, salad leaves, radishes and herbs like basil and mint. The team tested out the conditions by adjusting light and temperature in a controlled environment to see what would work best. Last week, they ate from their first harvest and hope to grow strawberries soon in the same way.

Lukacevic describes the taste of his produce as wonderful, putting the success down to the fact that the plants were supplied with bespoke nutrients.

Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in the air, without using soil and with limited water use. The alternative growing technique is closely linked to Hydroponics, where plants are grown in sand, gravel, or liquid, often under LED-lighting.

Aero/Hydroponics is often used in vertical farming, a sustainable alternative to grow crops in urban spaces that are overcrowded. For instance, earlier this year, Singapore began vertical farming shrimp, in order to curb a food crisis.

The Aeroponic growing method uses 95% less water than normal plant cultivation. As such, growing food in this way may mean that crops would survive the hostile weather conditions on Mars.

The main benefits of Aeroponic farming include using less water and saving space. Therefore, it is argued that this method could boost agricultural yields in areas hit by urbanisation and climate change.

However, the biggest criticism the process faces is that plants are fed with artificial nutrients, meaning they dont have access to the microbiology of healthy soil. Patrick Holden is the chief executive of the Sustainable Food Trust and has long-standing doubts as to the sustainability of such methods.

Speaking to Euronews Living, Holden equates organic vs hydroponic farming to feeding human patients normally as opposed to through an intravenous solution. In this parallel, the vital role of the soil is compared to that of the stomach in the body, as both can break down organic matter and complete nutrient cycles. The role of soil is as important as the role of the stomach, in other words.

According to the Sustainable Food Trust, Hydroponic farming methods cannot provide all of the micronutrients and other things that are associated with organic food production. Therefore, for CEO Holden, the widespread advocacy of hydroponics is misplaced.

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Could we survive on Mars? Scientists are growing mustard and strawberries just in case - Euronews

Years ago, people called them privy fliesthese harmless, wasp-looking indigenous bugs that like to hang around livestock manure and outdoor toilets. Today, the black soldier fly is emerging as a major player in addressing two big environmental concerns.

The flys larvae have the potential to reduce massive amounts of organic waste, after which the larvae are easily converted to a protein-rich food source for animals, fish and maybe even humans. It achieves this through a perfect energy cycle that leaves a negligible carbon footprint. And, the fly is neither a disease carrier, nor a household pest.

Now one regional company is aiming to scale up production of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and commercialize its benefits. David Fluker, CEO of Port Allen-based Fluker Farms, is working with LSU to develop a model for farming BSFL and making the voracious garbage eaters and their by-products available to public and private clients. Fluker Farms is the nationwide leader in production of live crickets for recreational fishing as well as feeder insects for reptiles and other animals.

I see it as a legacy project, says Fluker. An example of conscious capitalism. Ive been in the business a long time, and I wanted to do something that has the potential to make a big impact.

Black soldier fly larvae, says Fluker, are tiny sustainability machines that devour all sorts of organic waste, including rotten produce, animal manure, algae, even carrion. Large numbers of them can be placed in a bin of waste and make it disappear within a couple of weeks.

Constant and efficient eating helps them increase in size to 10,000 times their birth weight. What is left behind in this zero-waste system is only maggot manure, which can be used in landscaping.

This is a big deal, since rotting food worldwide emits tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, says Devon Brits, an LSU entomology doctorate candidate recruited by Fluker to help his company, Soldier Fly Technologies, develop a production facility. Indeed, according to a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, emitting 3.3 billion metric tons in greenhouse gasses every year.

The environmental impact of the black soldier fly larvae doesnt stop with lightening landfills. After a couple of weeks of eating, the insects have become a wiggly, protein-packed food source perfect for reptiles, farmed fish, chickens and pigs. The larvae can be dried whole or processed into pellet or powder form. They can also be converted into oils and coatings for pet food and pet products. Fluker Farms is already selling dried larvae, called Soldier Worms, in Walmart and tractor supply stores as feed for backyard chickens.

The world has known about black soldier flys zero-waste magic since the 1970s, says Brits, but its only been in the past 20 years that researchers and investors have created production facilities capable of addressing social and commercial demand.

Fluker had been following the progress of the black soldier fly research since it took off in 2002, when researchers from Texas A&M and the University of Georgia demonstrated the insects could be reared in a lab. A few years later, companies like AgriProtein in South Africa and Enterra in Canada were developing commercially viable applications for bug production.

It takes tons of larvaeliterally, to be of real social benefit. AgriProtein uses 40 to 50 million in waste eradication, with a goal of producing more than four tons of up-cycle products a day for commercial use.

By 2005, Fluker had bought the domain name, soliderfly.com, and was continuing to watch the market. He initially reached out to Texas A&M to form a partnership. When that failed to get off the ground, he contacted the LSU Department of Entomology.

In 2017, Fluker held a job search for a research director and found Brits, then working for Enterra in South Africa. Brits came aboard in 2018 and has been charged with leading the launch of a production facility at Fluker Farms. He is also completing a doctorate at LSU, focusing on the impact of light on black solider fly breeding.

Earlier this year, the LSU entomology department received a $60,000 grant from the LSU Sustainability Fund to develop a campus-based system for using BSFL to reduce LSU dining hall food waste. The Office of Sustainability had been working on a solution to campus food waste for several years, and saw the black soldier fly project as a way to divert 75 tons of food a year from the landfill.

Organic food waste is brought to Brits lab, where the maggots go to work in series of bins. The organic fertilizer they leave behind is used by LSU Facility Services in campus landscaping.

While Soldier Fly Technologies is now on its way, itll still be some time before its scaled up to the level Fluker is planning. Brits and his team are working on standardizing protocols the company can use to establish large colonies of egg-laying flies. Once those procedures are in place, Fluker can start forging partnerships with public and private entities that will benefit from production, including municipalities that see the upside of diverting organic waste to a site where it can be quickly decomposed.

Fluker has the advantage of a decades-old distribution chain in place for its current products. The company has already worked with state departments of agriculture to gain approval for selling animal feedstocks, a necessary step in placing any kind of animal feed in the marketplace. This puts the company in a good position for launching black soldier fly products that can fill a growing need for affordable protein-rich animal feedstocks. Notably, the price of fishmeal used in aquaculture has risen sharply in recent years. Once black Solder Fly products are widely distributed, they could become a better alternative.

The food cycle in place now is not sustainable, Fluker says. This is promising solution.

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Fluker Farms bets the black soldier fly holds the key to food sustainability - Greater Baton Rouge Business Report

November is World Vegan Month, making it the perfect time to raise awareness about vegan food and beverage choices. Its also a good time to remind people of the importance of opting for organic beer when they make their selections. With so many people focusing on vegan lifestyles this month, its an ideal time to look at how organic beer fits right in.

Anyone can see that theres a major vegan and plant-based movement taking place right now, explains Jai Patel, chief executive officer of NDN BV, Inc. Were going to see even more about vegan food and beer in November and in the months to come. As many people transition to that lifestyle, its a good idea to explore new beer options, too.

The term vegan was coined in 1944 by a man named Donald Watson. It is a lifestyle seeking to reduce contributions to animal cruelty. Those who follow a vegan lifestyle avoid consuming or using any animal-derived products, as well as animals being used in entertainment when possible. Most vegans also try to be mindful of their environmental footprint, because when caring for the planet youre also protecting it for all beings inhabiting it.

In addition to the millions of people who adhere to a vegan lifestyle, interest in plant-based foods also continues to steadily rise. According to the Plant Based Foods Association, U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods have grown 11% in the last year, and now have a market share value of $4.5 billion.

Due to some of the ingredients used, or because of the animal products used during the refining process, many beer and wine options are not vegan. Vegans seek out beer options that match their lifestyle choice, and organic beer makes for a great match.

Here are 5 reasons to pair vegan food with organic beer:

The decision about going organic when it comes to drinking beer is a personal choice, added Patel. If youre concerned about what you put into your body and how your food choices affect the planet, then some extra money spent on organic beer seems well worth it.

Jai Ho Midnight is a craft India Pale Ale (IPA) beer featuring a red/orange pour with a frothy white head and a smooth citrus aroma. Having already caught the attention of many craft beer enthusiasts, its currently available in numerous cities around the country. Its 100% organic and made with high-quality barley malt, hops and crystal-clear water from the Scandinavian underground. Unfiltered and slow brewed over 49 days, Jai Ho Beer is rated IBU 57, meaning its less bitter than other IPAs.

Jai Ho Midnight IPA is currently available in restaurants, bars and fine dining establishments in the following cities and states: Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA Las Vegas, NV Houston, TX Northern Virginia and New Jersey.

Coming soon: Jai Ho Midday, a full-bodied lager that features notes of fruit and hops.

Follow on Instagram (@jaihobeer), Twitter (@jaihobeer) and Facebook.

For more news and to learn more about Jai Ho please visit: http://www.jaihobeer.com.

Tags: Beer, food, Jai Ho, organic, Vegan

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5 Reasons to Pair Vegan Food with Organic Beer - The Stewardship Report

The importance of organic products in the German fruit and vegetable sector is increasing unendingly, so many players in the food retail sector are increasing their selection. The discount concept often involves an exchange as an extension, as needed. Some years ago, ALDI Sd already switched to organic carrots and this year, only organic-quality pumpkins are available in the markets. Now these will be followed by red onions.

Traders criticize the unexpected decision and the market is under pressure: While prices for conventional and yellow onions are rather bad, red organic onions are now scarce and extremely expensive. The supply of goods from Germany or the European hinterland would probably not be implemented, according to German and Dutch actors. ALDI Sd commented at FreshPlaza's request.

Aldi Sd has been offering only red onions of organic quality in the markets since this season - how did that happen? Can the demand be covered by German goods?We want to sensitize and ultimately convince other target groups for the topic of sustainability in general and organic in particular, which is achieved on the one hand via a diverse assortment and, on the other hand, naturally Because of our efficient structures, our smaller assortment compared to conventional organic food retailing, and at the same time larger sales volumes, we can often offer cheap products, thus offering high-quality organic products from all product areas that anyone can afford If possible, as with the red onions, we completely change to organic quality.

Furthermore, regionality plays a significant role. Regarding fruits and vegetables in particular, we have to provide our customers with German and at best regional products. We primarily try to source our organic carrots from Germany, where factors such as quality and product availability play an important role. The same applies to our organic potatoes and organic hokkaido pumpkins."

What was your experience with switching to a purely organic selection of gourds?"So far we have been very satisfied with the sale of organic hokkaido pumpkins and the response of our customers shows that we have hit the mark with the conversion to organic goods."

Are there any other products that would be open to such a conversion?"We are in a constant process of redesigning our product range, and together with our suppliers, we continue to develop the quality and range of our products and identify new potential. Our goal in the future is to keep a wide range of organic products at a constant level to offer low prices."

"In the meantime, controlled organic products account for 7.7 percent of our own food brand sales - and we are constantly expanding our product range. The ALDI SD stores currently have around 330 organic products available as test, seasonal, promotional or standard items. This includes 15 high-quality organic products of the well-known Schneekoppe label. With a diverse selection of products, customers can do their entire weekly organic shopping at affordable prices. According to GfK, in 2018 we again were market leaders in organic food sales in the ALDI SD sales region, at 14.6 percent. "

For more information: mail@aldi-sued.de

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Extension of the organic range: red onions at Aldi Sd - FreshPlaza.com