Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 12/13/21

Environmentally conscious consumers will soon be able to buy “carbon-reduced” chicken that’s partially raised on food waste diverted from grocery stores. Do Good Chicken , which launches at major national retailers in February, is a sign of things to come as the food industry increasingly grapples with consumer concern about the climate crisis.

New co. in the barnyard: In this case, the product comes from Do Good Foods, a startup with substantial financial backing and working with some of the most well-known names in food. Last week, founders Justin and Matt Kamine held a Food Tank event with Sam Kass, who served as nutrition policy advisor to former President Barack Obama and is now chief strategy officer for the company, as well as former Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, who’s advising the company, and Tom Colicchio, a well-known chef and advocate, who said he looked forward to serving the chicken at his restaurants.

What does “carbon-reduced” mean? Do Good Chicken bills itself as the “first domestic chicken brand actively combating climate change.” The company worked with USDA to clear its labels before market, as required. The labels will say that each chicken saves four pounds of food waste from going into the landfill and, along with it, three pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

How it works: The company currently has one facility in Fairless Hills, Pa., where it can convert 160 tons of retail food waste per day into components for chicken feed, which is then used by contract growers to raise the birds. The company, which recently announced it raised $169 million from Nuveen, is aiming to scale this model nationwide.

“We think we can convert the vast majority of retail food waste in the next five to 10 years,” Kass tells MA.
Priced below organic: The details of the company’s retail rollout haven’t been announced yet, but Kass said the product will be “priced for the many, not for the few.” The price point will be “significantly” below organic, but above conventional chicken, he said.

The climate boom: Consumer packaged goods companies are turning to climate claims to appeal to millennial and Gen Z consumers who are very concerned about environmental impact (and let’s not forget, many of these companies have also made ambitious climate pledges).

Two quick examples: Horizon Organic dairy is now on the market with claims it will be “carbon positive” by 2025 (meaning beyond net-zero emissions). Cascadian Farms is also on the market with “climate-smart” cereal made with Kernza, a perennial grain that helps sequester more carbon.