MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (October 2023) – Danyel Bischof-Forsyth has accepted a board position with Twin Cities-based NETZRO, SBC. NETZRO, a national leader in sustainability by eliminating food waste and expanding the food supply chain. Bischof-Forsyth was the prior CTO at Tyson Foods, and as a board member will provide NETZRO leadership in the areas of technology optimization while advancing impact data innovation. NETZRO was among four national entrepreneurs chosen in July by Tyson Ventures, the venture capital at Tyson Foods Demo Day 2023.

Danyel expressed her excitement about joining NETZRO: “I am truly honored to be a part of NETZRO and its groundbreaking work in the field of food upcycling! Together we will redefine the way we approach food waste and shape the future of sustainability.”

“We have a critical role to play in eliminating food waste while responsibly producing food for a growing world and the NETZRO team is honored to have Danyel join the board. Danyel brings proven technology leadership and I look forward to working with her to build NETZRO’s impact data framework as well as our technology strategy,” said Sue Marshall, NETZRO’s founder and CEO.

Click to download press release: NetZro news release Danyel Bischof-Forsyth board position

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IDENTIFY MARKET NEEDS:

The first step in accelerating the growth of a new industry is to identify the pressing needs of the market it serves. Over the past few years NETZRO has conducted research with academia, government entities and manufacturers on the current status of food byproducts as well as what it will take to add value to the process to safely capture and convert them to new upcycled food ingredients at scale. We are fortunate to also have The Upcycled Food Association conducting market research to assist in aligning the industry’s products or services with the needs of consumers. This is no small task as needs are dynamic, providing endless opportunities and ever-changing challenges. I continue to be inspired as NETZRO and The Upcycled Food Association continues to evolve to ensure that offerings are relevant and in-demand. It is an exciting time to be in the food upcycling industry.

INNOVATION MEETS COLLABORATION:

Innovation lies at the heart of any thriving industry. It is critical to encourage and support research and development within the sector to push boundaries and discover new solutions. Collaboration between different players in the industry, including startups, established companies, academic institutions, and even government bodies, can also lead to breakthroughs and a more cohesive growth trajectory. The Upcycled Food Association provides opportunities within its membership to work together such as NETZRO project with AMAI which creates an entirely new use of an upcycled ingredient and bulls in sophisticated supply chain partners such as Buhler.

A robust ecosystem is vital for resilience and expansion of a new industry. In the past 5 years numerous incubators, accelerators, and venture capital funds are focused on the opportunities within food upcycling. An example is Tyson Ventures (insert link of press release) The NETZRO team is thrilled to have been accepted and looking forward to see what this new collaboration brings. Government policies and regulations should be designed to nurture the industry while ensuring fair competition and consumer protection. If you have not heard about the recent law that was passed in California SB1383 on improving organic waste disposal, it is important to be familiar as these types of regulations will continue to roll out throughout the US. Additionally, knowledge-sharing platforms, conferences, and networking events can enhance the exchange of ideas and opportunities. With so many stakeholders from all over the world attending the Food Waste Solutions Summit it was validation that the hard work done has begun to pay off and will make an impact.

ALIGNING TALENTS AND SKILLS:

Talented and skilled professionals are the driving force behind any successful industry. Growing pains are expected in any new industry and the startups that serve it. It is important to be open to working with everyone in the ecosystem, even those that might be perceived as competition. The only competitor there is in the food waste ecosystem is the problem itself. NETZRO is pleased to announce the addition of a new advisor, Yoni Medhin whom was the former CEO of Grain4Grain which recently ceased operations. This was a reminder to me that one never knows what door opens when another closes.

INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY AND DATA FOR SUCCESS:

The integration of cutting-edge technology and automation can significantly boost productivity and efficiency within the industry. Embrace emerging technologies relevant to your field, such as impact data measurement & mining, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), or blockchain, to gain a competitive advantage and meet evolving market demands. NETZRO is finding support for its technology internationally, having just received funding from JLL Foundation.

NEW STANDARDS AND GOALS:

Standardization is crucial for building credibility and trust in a new industry. The Upcycled Food Association’s creation of the Upcycled Certified Program has created engagement with experienced stakeholders paving the way for consumer engagement. This will not only protect consumers but also facilitate easier market entry for new consumer food products. It also creates a path for additional certifications that could include carbon measurement that can assist tracking to meet a company’s ESG and other impact goals.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION:

For a novel industry like food upcycling to flourish, educating customers about its benefits and potential applications is paramount. In the future we need to invest in marketing campaigns and educational content that raises awareness about the benefits of adding value to food that otherwise would have been wasted. With the involvement of large food companies such as Kroger and Tyson the industry is poised to adequately fund initiatives needed to educate consumers, food distributors, non-profits, government agencies and all players within the food supply chain.

IN SUMMARY:

Accelerating the growth of the food upcycling industry requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of the food producers that have food byproduct waste, fosters innovation to meet growing demand, and creates a supportive ecosystem. By attracting top talent, embracing technology, and advocating for industry standards, the food upcycling industry can be positioned for success. Remember, sustainable growth comes from continuously adapting to market dynamics and remaining open to collaboration and change. With dedication, perseverance, and a well-executed strategy, whatever your industry, it can thrive and leave a lasting impact on the world.

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I’m no scientist, but what I’ve gleaned from research is that the insides of an egg- the parts that humans consume- consist of the white and the yolk, which contain large quantities of protein, fat, and cholesterol.  Eggshells, on the other hand, are comprised of an inner and outer membrane consisting of fibers.  These fibers are composed mainly of proteins- about 10% of which are collagen proteins.  Collagen is a protein that is structurally essential to human connective tissue.  It accounts for roughly a third of the human body’s protein composition so it is often taken as a supplement to support joint, bone, and skin health.  Collagen production is boosted by the presence of vitamin C, proline, glycine, and copper; for people looking to increase their collagen, it’s important to ensure high levels of these nutrients as well as adequate protein intake.

While there are some plant-based collagen supplements, the vast majority are derived from animal sources.  The primary animal source of collagen is bovine, meaning protein sourced from the cartilage, joints, and bones of cattle.  Other common sources include marine and poultry collagen.  With some market development, an alternate source- and one potentially more desirable to many consumers- could be eggshells.

Marine and poultry collagen is the fastest-growing segment of the collagen industry.  This indicates a shift in consumer preferences away from traditional bovine collagen.  This shift-  along with the rise of vegetarian diets- opens up the market for vegetarian collagen supplements.  This is where NetZro comes in.  Through its waste processing capabilities, it creates two value-added eggshell products: calcium carbonate from the eggshell and collagen protein from the shell membrane, both of which are suitable for animal and human consumption.  Eggshell collagen could fall into the fast-growing poultry collagen segment with the additional benefit of being a vegetarian-friendly alternative.

With further development, eggshell collagen could have a lot to offer consumers in terms of benefits to skin, bone, and joint health- with the added perk of being one of the few vegetarian-friendly collagen options currently in development.  And what about calcium, the mineral that comprises the other 90% of eggshell matter?  There are ample opportunities there as well- but more on that later.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen

https://www.vitalproteins.com/blogs/stay-vital/is-collagen-vegan

www.apnews.com/Business%20Wire/17069a4429f448dd816c345edf7f14eb

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