Kerry, a sustainable nutrition company, announced Monday its sponsorship of The Kerry Upcycled Food Foundation Fellowship. This marks the second research fellowship initiated by the Upcycled Food Foundation dedicated to supporting the industry and educating consumers about the environmental and social benefits of upcycled foods.
The Foundation is the nonprofit subsidiary of the Upcycled Food Association, which is dedicated to reclaiming upcycled foods to prevent food loss and waste.
"At Kerry, we are committed to creating a world of sustainable nutrition. Our new partnership with the Upcycled Food Foundation and our sponsorship of The Kerry Upcycled Food Foundation Fellowship is just one way we are investing in the next generation of sustainable food solutions," said Oliver Kelly, CEO of Kerry North America, in a statement.
The research fellowship advances understanding of the environmental impact, market, consumer perceptions, technical opportunities, and overall potential of upcycled food. Upcycled foods use ingredients that otherwise would not have gone to human consumption, are produced using verifiable supply chains, and have a positive impact on the environment.
"Kerry's sponsorship of this fellowship has enabled more fellows to enter the program, which will provide invaluable insights that can be applied to industry practices and consumer messaging, and thus allow us to reduce food waste through upcycled food," said Angie Crone, CEO of the Upcycled Food Association, in a statement.
Last year, eight fellows were selected to explore a research question of interest to the upcycled food community. This year’s topics include consumer awareness and perception of upcycled products, novel ingredient development, and impact measurement.
Related: Makers Discuss Making Food Waste Tasty With Upcycled Ingredients; Whole Foods CEO Shares 10-Year Vision