Harris vs. Trump: How Food is Shaping the US Election 🥦🇺🇸

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Read time today: 2 minutes 49 seconds

Hi friend 👋,

it’s Friday morning and you are reading VITAMIN C.

I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Rome, where I attended the EIT Next Bite conference and met some of you loyal readers (hello Sara! 😊)

Sitting between a plate of pasta and an ancient church I had exciting conversations about the future of food.

My key takeaway: as entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, industry players and consumers - all of us have a crucial role in solving our food crisis. It starts with us, we can’t delegate the responsibility to others.

So grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let’s explore some stories and insights this Friday morning - including the role food plays in the upcoming US election 🍋.

1. [Science] 🥛🤖 NotMilk: The Plant-Based Milk Powered by AI and... Cabbage?

When we talk about plant-based meat and dairy products, we often talk about rice, pea or soy-based products.

And then there are those new crazy combinations developed with the help of AI. 

NotCo is a startup from Chile developed its own proprietary AI called Giuseppe. 

Thanks to Giuseppe, NotCo developed the formulation for their NotMilk - a milk that tastes, looks, and acts like the real deal, but spoiler: it’s all plants, and not the ones you are expecting.

The secret ingredients Giuseppe came up with: cabbage and pineapple. 

Yep, cabbage and pineapple 🥬🍍 

Aa funky combination, but somehow it works. I’ve tried the product and must say: it is really good, hard to distinguish from cow’s milk. 

PS: NotCo recently partnered with Kraft Heinz to take the corporate’s plant-based products to the next level - so we will see Giuseppe-generated products at large scale on the supermarket shelves soon.

Check out NotCo here.

2. [Food for Thought] 🍽️🌍 Kamala vs. Trump: How Food is Shaping the US Election

Food policy has become a surprisingly hot topic in the 2024 U.S. elections.

Both candidates—Kamala Harris and Donald Trump—are tapping into issues like rising grocery prices and diet-related health concerns to win voters.

Trump’s campaign is focusing on removing toxins from food, while Harris is all about expanding food access programs to fight hunger and improve public health.

Whether these policies turn into real change is up for debate, but one thing’s for sure - the outcome of this election will impact global food systems.

Read more here.

3. [Nerdy Food Stuff] 🍔👃 The Secret Weapon Chain Restaurants Use to Make You Hungry

Ever wonder why you suddenly crave fast food when you walk past a chain restaurant? It’s not a coincidence—restaurants are using smell as a secret weapon.

Chains like Cinnabon and McDonald's strategically design their stores and even tweak their air ventilation systems to waft irresistible scents like cinnamon rolls or fries onto the streets.

These scents trigger cravings and lure you in. It’s sensory marketing at its finest and a sneaky tactic to get you through the door—and your wallet a little lighter.

Find out how the science of smell is being used to hook us here.

4. [Inspiration] ☕️🌍 How One Coffee Shop is Sparking Behavioural Change

In Kent, England, a coffee shop decided to make a bold statement by filling its floor with disposable coffee cups to highlight the waste problem. 

This stunt went viral, showing the power of one action to inspire change.

The shop now only serves customers with reusable cups, pushing for action on plastic waste.

The lesson? Science and data are important, but emotion and powerful visuals are key to driving real change.

 5. [Must-watch] 💪📺 Women and Climate Change: A Feminist Solution to a Global Problem

"Climate change is a man-made problem with a feminist solution."

These powerful words from Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, emphasize the crucial role women play in climate action. 

Women, especially in developing countries, face the harshest consequences of climate change, yet they’re often the key drivers of local solutions. If we truly want to address climate change, we need more women at the table.

Have a great Friday,
Lia

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