If there was an alt-protein prediction that was easy to make for 2022, it was that fungi-powered protein would have a good year.
All the signs were there: Interesting new products making their way to market, impressive advances in manufacturing, and new funding rounds coming in despite growing market uncertainty. And as we near the end of the year, there’s yet another sign that this nascent space will continue to mature in 2023 and beyond: a new trade association.
The just-announced Fungi Protein Association’s list of founding members includes many names Spoon readers will be familiar with, including Quorn, Nature’s Fynd, ENOUGH, The Better Meat Co., The Protein Brewery, Prime Roots, Mycotechnology, Mycorena, Aqua Cultured Foods, Mush Foods, MyForest Foods and. Bosque Foods. In addition, nonprofits ProVeg and The Good Food Institute are also founding members.
While some trade associations are often little more than a way for industry insiders to get together once or twice a year to expense meals and talk shop, other times, they can be immensely helpful in lifting nascent spaces off the ground. Good trade associations help foster communities, create industry frameworks & terminology, and develop industry certifications and standards.
An example of this in the future food world over the past few years is the Upcycled Food Association. Started by a small group of primarily early-stage startups, the UFA has become an important organization and can rightly take credit for much of the momentum we’ve seen in upcycling the last couple of years.
According to Food Dive, the Fungi Protein Association will advocate for the space to consumers and lawmakers and conduct consumer research on the space.
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