A new term in the climate solution lexicon is gaining momentum in multiple sectors: upcycling. But what is ‘upcycled food?’ Barnana®, maker of innovative banana-based snacks, is out to answer this question by providing delicious food solutions to climate change and catalyzing an industry-wide movement to reduce food waste. As a founding member of the newly-formed Upcycled Food Association(UFA), Barnana will continue its longstanding push to educate consumers about the critical climate benefits of reducing food waste and explaining the important difference between ‘upcycled’ and ‘recycled.’
Reducing food waste was recently announced as the top solution to climate change by Project Drawdown, a leading resource for information and insight about climate solutions, and companies and consumers are more aware than ever of the problem. Increasing consumption of upcycled foods on a large scale is key to food waste reduction, which would also decrease the massive amounts of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere each year. Many people don’t understand the “upcycled” concept and are confused by the term so education around this topic is critical.
“Since 2012, Barnana has upcycled 85 million bananas. If placed end to end, these rescued bananas would stretch from L.A. to New York four times. Now we’re working with the UFA to clarify what it means to upcycle food,” said Caue Suplicy, Founder of Barnana. “The UFA has partnered with Drexel University, government representatives, and nonprofits to develop a common definition and measurement metrics. There is a study underway currently to help better understand the true impact of upcycling food.” In the meantime, Suplicy explains upcycling by using his company’s experience in the banana industry. Today, according to the World Resources Institute, 50% of all bananas produced in Latin America go to waste due to scuffs, imperfect size or being slightly too ripe, but they’re completely edible and still full of nutrients and flavor. They never go to market and are left behind to rot. Companies like Barnana take this imperfect food and elevate it into high-value products like sweet-chewy Banana Bites and Banana Cookie Brittle. In contrast, recycling bananas might mean composting peels from a perfect piece of fruit and turning it into rich soil.
“Our colleagues at Barnana have been relentless champions for growing the movement and bringing others onboard,” said Turner Wyatt, CEO of the UFA. “Thanks in part to their efforts, the UFA is now 60 members strong internationally. We’re leading the way in creating a common understanding of upcycling and making the practice a natural part of everyday eating.”
For more information, visit www.barnana.com or www.upcycledfood.org.