Company points to upcycled ingredients in private label products as key climate solution
CINCINNATI, OH – June 22, 2023 –Today, upcycled food company Renewal Mill, a pioneer of the upcycled food movement in the U.S., celebrates National Upcycling Day by highlighting the environmental benefits of using upcycled ingredients. Upcycling byproducts into new ingredients helps reduce food waste, a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and driver of climate change. Renewal Mill’s upcycled ingredients are used in popular consumer goods products, including multiple items in Kroger’s Simple Truth™ product line that have also achieved the Upcycled Certified™ qualification.
"Our company was founded on the simple idea that the products we buy every day can fight climate change," said Caroline Cotto, Co-Founder of Renewal Mill and Upcycled Food Association (UFA) Board President. "Nearly 95% of consumers agree that food waste is a problem and expect food companies to offer solutions. By offering Upcycled Certified™ Simple Truth products, Kroger, with the help of Renewal Mill, is empowering consumers to promote the health of our planet and support a more resilient food system.”
In collaboration with Renewal Mill, Kroger’s Simple Truth® line was the first private-label brand in the country to release Upcycled Certified™ products qualified by the Upcycled Food Association (UFA), the world’s first third-party certification program for upcycled food ingredients and products. The cornerstone of the program is the on-package mark that indicates to consumers which products are actively reducing food waste through upcycling.
Claire Schlemme, CEO of Renewal Mill, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: "Given Kroger’s position in the grocery retail space and UFA membership, together we can accelerate upcycled innovation and make a significant impact on food waste and consumer awareness of upcycled foods."
In 2021, Renewal Mill was selected as one of 10 upcycled startup brands to receive funding through The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation’s Innovation Fund.
Renewal Mill produces three upcycled ingredients that are used in Simple Truth™ baking mixes:
- Upcycled Oat Protein, made from pulp leftover from oat milk processing;
- Upcycled White Corn Flour, made from the byproduct of corn meal milling; and
- Upcycled Organic Okara flour, a nutrient-dense flour made from pulp leftover from soymilk production.
Simple Truth® Upcycled Certified™ products include Plant-Based Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix, Plant-Based Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Plant-Based Sugar Cookie Mix, Gluten Free Banana Bread Mix, Seeded Multigrain Bread and Multigrain Quinoa Bread. Products are available at Kroger banners nationwide, including Harris Teeter, or online at www.kroger.com. For more information on finding products, visit Upcycled Certified™, at www.upcycledfood.org. For upcycled ingredient solution inquiries, contact Renewal Mill at www.renewalmill.com to learn more.
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ABOUT RENEWAL MILL:
Named a "World Changing Idea" by FastCompany, Renewal Mill is the first "climate friendly" baking company and upcycled ingredient supplier in the U.S. As a leading upcycled food company, Renewal Mill fights climate change and global food loss by upcycling byproducts from food manufacturing, converting them into superfood ingredients and premium, plant-based pantry staples. Starting with the byproducts of plant-based milk, Renewal Mill has crafted a line of premium, high fiber, gluten-free, vegan and plant-based flours, as well as ready-to-eat soft baked cookies and artisan "just add oil and water" baking mixes. All of Renewal Mill's products are chef-crafted by Alice Medrich, a five-times James Beard Award winning cookbook author. Renewal Mill is women-owned and operated and based in Oakland, California. To learn more about Renewal Mill or purchase its wholesale or consumer products, please visit www.renewalmill.com. Together, we can bake a better future.