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THE FOOD SYSTEM 6 BLOG

FS6 Newsletter - April 2020

4/30/2020

 
This month’s newsletter includes updates on FS6's recent speaking appearances, an introduction to our Executive-in-Residence, and an announcement regarding the annual cohort pitch event.
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FS6 Community News & Updates

​As we continue to navigate the complexity of the coronavirus shutdown, our focus remains on supporting the farmers, ranchers, processors, and food business entrepreneurs that make up the FS6 ecosystem. In addition to our core support work, this also means picking up the phone, troubleshooting solutions, and making connections to get the necessary resources to these crucial businesses that make up our food supply.

In light of this, we are doubling down on spreading the news of what our entrepreneurs are up to, and how consumers, investors, and other stakeholders can get involved in supporting them at this time. To support these efforts, FS6 CEO, Caesare Assad has been making an appearance on a variety of industry news and education platforms. She was interviewed on " Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" about the challenges and opportunities faced by our industry at this time; you can also find her speaking to Catherine Lamb from The Spoon, for their summit, How Food & Ag Innovation Ecosystem is Mobilizing For Solutions During COVID-19. Lastly, in case you missed last week's Food Funded Virtual Investor Fair, you can learn more about it here.
“We have this really beautiful rich, diverse country where we can produce and we can create so much wealth for all of us, and it’s now about zooming in and resourcing these gaps that we know exist.” - Caesare Assad
FS6 is excited to announce that we have brought on our first-ever Entrepreneur In Residence, Christine Su! Christine went through the FS6 accelerator 5 years ago, as part of Cohort 1, and we are thrilled to have her joining us now to further support our cohort and expand the support and education we are able to offer around regenerative agriculture and sustainable AgTech solutions.

We will continue to keep you updated on the changes happening across our network - and celebrating the wins of our entrepreneurs as they prove their resiliency and determination through these unprecedented times!

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This September, FS6 will be partnering with the Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum for our annual cohort 5 pitch event. You can learn more about event details and puchase tickets here. Keep an eye out in our newsletter and on our Linkedin for updates on the event.

Use discount code FS6-15 for 15% off the cost of attendance.

Updates from Cohort 5:
​

Anna Hammond (Matriark) was just recognized as one of the women changing the food system in New York. Not only is her first product - a shelf-stable soup and broth base made from diverted food-waste - creating a unique opportunity for institutions to reutilize their waste streams; but her vision for increasing localized food-processing infrastructure and capacity is an inspiring north-star in these times of system upset.

Farm Generations Cooperative's online sales platform for direct market farmers (GrownBy) was featured in a Civil Eats article about how to move the food revolution online. This uniquely farmer-focused technology platform is cooperatively owned by those growing our food. You can learn more about the GrownBy platform in the National Young Farmer's Coalition's FARMER’S GUIDE TO  Direct Sales Software Platforms. They are still running the platform in Beta but are planning to go live later this year - you can get on the waitlist here.

Jacqueline Smith (Central Grazing Co.) was mentioned by FoodTank as one of the livestock farmers shaping the future of protein. Her unique perspective on whole-animal processing includes re-imagining and re-building a planet-friendly, 100% traceable, non-toxic leather supply chain, based in the US. You can learn more about the work they are doing to innovate around food and fiber here.

FS6 & PORTFOLIO UPDATES

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Soñar! Foods Interviewed for the Food&Beverage Insider Podcast.

Summary: The twist on a culinary classic is lower in carbs and higher in nutrition, and the company donates 1% of sales to the Latino Community Foundation, according to founders Maria and Pete Brennan.

Listen here.

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EFI Offers Resources for Farmworker Protection and Continuity of Supply During Coronavirus Pandemic

In these times of uncertainty as the world responds to the coronavirus, Equitable Food Initiative has curated a library of best-in-class resources and practices that provides for employee communication during the current pandemic. EFI is a workforce development and skill-building organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer advocacy groups to promote responsible labor practices and food safety.

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Laura Benanti donates proceeds from her new song to FoodCorps to Help Fight Against Hunger Amid Coronavirus

Benanti released the music video for her cover of Jonas Brothers’ hit song “Sucker” to help bring individuals and their loved ones together virtually as they continue to practice social distancing throughout the outbreak. Benanti will donate all proceeds from her rendition to FoodCorps, which works to connect kids to healthy food in 18 states and Washington, D.C.

Articles Featuring FS6 Portfolio Companies:
  • Can Technology Save the Ocean? (GritDaily, featuring SmartCatch)
  • MilkRun delivery connects Portland metro with local food (KOIN6, featuring MilkRun)
  • 18 Organizations to Support During National Farmworker Awareness Week (Food Tank, featuring the Center for Good Food Purchasing)
  • The 'waste reduction' trend: 5 innovators (New Hope Network, featuring Renewal Mill)
  • The Best Coffee Subscriptions Whether You Caffeinate With Cold Brew, Pour Over, or Espresso (Conde Nast Traveler, featuring Port of Mokha)
  • Like Local Farms? You Better Step Up Now or They’re Going to Disappear (The Spoon, featuring MilkRun)
  • Support These 45+ Organizations Helping Restaurants, Workers, and Farmers Survive COVID-19 (FoodTank, featuring the Chef Ann Foundation)
  • School Lunches Are As Important As Ever, Says Fleishman (Food Tank, featuring the Chef Ann Foundation)
  • Netafim Integrates FluroSat’s Remote Sensing Technology Into Its Digital Irrigation Management Platform NetBeat™ (Enterprise Talk, featuring FluroSat)

NEWS & EVENTS FROM THE ECOSYSTEM

ONE WORLD Virtual Impact Summit
Thu, April 30, 2020
11:00 AM – 3:30 PM PDT

*Use code fs6 for a discounted ticket price

If you're a social entrepreneur, impact or angel investor, fund or foundation manager, or are simply curious about how we can move more money to the companies solving problems that benefit people and the planet, you'll want to be there.

At The Impact Summit, we will highlight examples of the inspiring ways investors, entrepreneurs, and other professionals in the impact ecosystem are taking bold steps today to create a better world. We will create space for you to deeply connect with your mission-driven peers, learn from other founders and funders, and find potential collaborators or local companies to support.

Ways to Show Up for Local Food During COVID-19 (Kitchen Table Advisors)

There are a number of ways to both support our farmers and ranchers, and strengthen our regional food system during this pandemic. Purchase CSA shares, visit farmers markets, purchase gift certificates, and order for home delivery or local pick-up, if offered. Additionally, receiving updates from farms is important to anticipating closures and changes in offerings. We encourage you to follow our farms and ranches on social media as well as sign up for their newsletters in order to stay in touch. If you have the opportunity to drop your farmer a note or chat with them in-person, ask how they’re doing and share what their contribution means to you, especially during these times. 

Read more...

Other articles we're enjoying: 
  • Big Food is Betting on Regenerative Agriculture to Thwart Climate Change (Civil Eats)
  • Robyn O’Brien: Following the ‘North Star’ in food systems transformation (GreenBiz)
  • Consolidated and Inflexible Food Supply Chains Drive Both Shortages and Waste (Food & Power)


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    FS6 is a nonprofit based in the San Francisco Bay Area whose mission is to support impact-driven entrepreneurs as they transform how we grow, produce, and distribute food. The organization runs a comprehensive accelerator program that mentors entrepreneurs by coaching them through a wide range of business and organizational needs. FS6 also works to educate stakeholders on the unique capital needs as it relates to redefining the food system.

    Learn more about our program offerings and how to apply here.


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  • About
    • Funders & Partners
    • Impact Report 2021
  • Programs
    • FS6 Accelerator >
      • Circular Economy Program
    • Funder Engagement
    • Building Community
  • Portfolio
  • News & Events
    • Financial Coaching 2022
  • Resources
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • FS6 Articles & Research
  • Apply
    • Participant Expectations
  • Donate