In this special Innovation Fund episode we meet the founders from three of the companies in the 2021 cohort, Yoni Medhin co-founder of Grain4Grain (04:25), Kayla Casteñda and Erin Pontell with Agua Bonita (23:35), and Crawford Hawkins with Husky Beverages (40:10).

In spring of 2021, The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation collaborated with Village Capital to help source, understand and unlock capital to support innovative solutions that prevent, recover and recycle food waste.

They encouraged applications from innovators building high-growth, scalable solutions focused on the following challenge:

“We seek to reshape the food system by supporting innovators who are elevating food to its highest use and disrupting the linear supply chain. This could include solutions such as imperfect produce lines, upcycled foods & meal kits, upcycled commercial ingredients and more.”

With nearly 150 companies applying, 10 were selection for the 2021 Innovation Fund cohort.

Over the next few episodes we will be introducing you to all of the companies in the 2021 cohort.

Meet the companies in the 2021 Innovation Fund Cohort:

Agua Bonita

Grain4Grain

Husky Beverages

Journey Foods

Matriark Foods

NETZRO

reBLEND

Renewal Mill

Take Two

The Spare Food Co.

Visit www.toogoodtowastepodcast.com for all episodes and to learn more about the Too good To waste podcast series.

Follow us on Instagram @toogoodtowaste_podcast

Thanks to our sponsors:

NETZRO, SBC - www.netzro.us

Upcycled Food Association - www.upcycledfood.org

Produced by Hi-Fly'n Productions www.hiflyn.com

Producer | Host: Kevin May

Associate Producer | Ashley Brown

Creative Development | Sue Marshall

What's UP Co-Host | Rochelle Still

Contact us at kevin@toogoodtowastepodcast.com