This episode is an Aisle 42 first because we're talking about pets. Pet food commands serious shelf space in most of our grocery stores (and of course the category thrives in speciality stores and online) - all of it fuelling a global market worth around $150 billion in annual revenue.

The more we dug into consumer demands, values-based shopping treads, and the environmental impact of this industry the more we knew we’d need to chat with someone about it.

So I chatted with Christine Mallier from Petcurean, a BC-based company renowned for its commitment to producing premium, sustainable pet food.

We talked about their approach to pet food innovation, alternative proteins, ethically sourced ingredients, smart nutrition profiling and diet personalization using AI, their teams’ deep commitment to environmental stewardship, and even a wild picture of the future where the pet owners’ shopping experiences could also be augmented reality.

To learn more about this future-thinking pet nutrition company go to https://petcurean.com.

To learn more about who’s behind this podcast go to https://www.ethicalfoodgroup.com/podcast.

Here’s a summary of this interview:

Here are the 10 bulleted highlights from the interview with Christine Mallier:

Vision for the Future of Pet Stores: Christine envisions a future where pet nutrition, sustainability, technology, and consumer experience converge, featuring smart nutrition profiling using AI and augmented reality tours.

Sustainability Initiatives: Petcurean focuses on using sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients, recyclable packaging, and operating stores with renewable energy and zero waste.

Innovative Pet Nutrition: Christine discusses the importance of insect protein in pet food, highlighting its environmental benefits, hypoallergenic properties, and the success of Petcurean's insect-based pet food products.

Commitment to Recyclable Packaging: Petcurean has signed the Pet Sustainability Coalition Packaging Pledge, aiming to transition the majority of their packaging to recyclable by 2025.

Transparency and Accountability: Petcurean publicly shares their sustainability goals and progress, including a significant reduction in their scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.

Community and Environmental Support: Petcurean donates meals to pets in need, supports habitat restoration projects, and encourages employee volunteering.

Focus on Reducing Waste: The company has achieved zero waste at their head office, reducing waste to landfill by 86% and continuing to improve waste management practices.

Use of Upcycled Ingredients: Petcurean has launched treats for dogs made with certified upcycled ingredients, reducing food waste and promoting sustainability.

Celebrity Endorsement: Christine expressed a desire for Taylor Swift to endorse Petcurean, highlighting her influence and alignment with the brand's values.

Sustainability Reporting: Petcurean publishes an annual sustainability impact report, detailing their efforts to protect the planet, empower their team, and uplift communities.