INSIGHTS
We write white papers, conduct or support various research projects, and produce reports and other tools to help advance the cause of making the food system more sustainable, humane, and just for all.
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What are the most important animal products to replace from a lives saved/suffering prevented perspective?
Setting aside for the moment environmental damage, and setting aside profit margins and other business considerations, if a founder is interested in animal welfare and preventing suffering, what would be the most important products to replace first…
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Given the huge human populations and projected growth of animal consumption in populous low and middle income countries (PLMICs) like China and India, why is relatively little money and effort being directed there?
As people move out of poverty and get more purchasing power (a good thing), people seek the products they associate with wealth, and animal products is high on the list. Given the size of populations in these countries, and the need to…
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How can we reduce the cost of plant-based meats/fish/eggs/dairy?
Plant-based products exist to offer consumers an easy way to get the tastes and textures they know and like, but still reduce their consumption of animal products. But even when the plant-based products do meet consumer expectations, cost is still a factor…
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Are existing plant-based chicken and burger products generally acceptable to meat-eaters and flexitarians or is more research needed to create more acceptable products?
An important part of getting average people to reduce or eliminate consumption animal products is to provide them with analogues…
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Creating a model to help reform the food system to be more healthy and sustainable
The industrial animal-based food system is an economic system. By understanding its various components and how they interact, we can intentionally work to change each component in the most effective manner available.…
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Legislative efforts need more support
Advocates for changing the food system have for years placed a lot of effort into urging people to engage in individual diet changes. But what is often neglected is the tremendous power of government that influences at all levels what is available to eat and at what cost…
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Insights into the term “plant-based”
The term Plant-Based is generally seen as positive. In fact the Plant Based Food Association and Plant Based Foods Canada now promote a “Certified Plant Based” seal that brands can earn and pay for the right to place on their packaging…
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The importance of product labeling freedom
The animal products industry is not sitting idly by as the plant-based foods industry grows. They are lobbying at the state and federal level in the US and in other countries as well to prohibit the use of terms like “milk” and “meat” on plant-based foods…
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Stealth vegan "fast food" restaurants should be encouraged
Entrepreneurs inclined to be restauranteurs should be strongly encouraged and supported with investment and expertise to specifically launch fast food restaurants that do not overtly advertise themselves as such…
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We'll show you a "long ingredient list"
You may have heard criticism of some of the newer plant-based meat products for having a “long ingredient list”, the implication being that these products are somehow unhealthy because they are over-processed and not “natural” like the meat, dairy and eggs they seek to replace…
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US Farmer Map by state
This dashboard provides estimates of the number of individuals and family-owned farmers involved in animal agriculture by U.S. state in 2012 and 2017. The data used come from multiple sources: the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (ERS data) the Natural Agricultural…