193
to water. Water is just a form of energy. If we have a sustainable, affordable, scalable source of energy, we can actually produce as much water as we need.”
While the new startup entrepreneurs in Agtech/FoodTech show promise, they are
still only scratching the surface on the global issues of technology access and feeding those in need. Most startups focus on a commercially viable business model
while investors are targeting a profitable exit. Better collaboration is needed between
the small startups, venture funds, governments, and corporations to develop innovative, sustainable, and most importantly scalable solutions that can be applied broadly
in a global environment. Of concern are the 2.5 billion people that live on the
500 million small farm households in most of the developing economies. Their ability to access innovative agricultural and food solutions is critical to the objective of
feeding the planet.
17
For many of these smallholder farms, access to water, improved
crop yields, access to capital, and easier delivery to markets are critical resources.
Several startups and agriculture innovation have started tackling these perplexing issues:
17 https://foodsecurityindex.eiu.com › DownloadResource
finished packages to kill yeast, mold, and bacteria. Once the juice or spread is
packaged, it is placed in a hydrostatic pressure vessel and subjected to over
87,000 pounds per square inch of pressure.
The HERE model works as follows:
• Farmers: HERE has direct relationships with local farmers. As a result,
they earn more income, gain exposure, and enjoy predictable price and
quantity parameters. By developing unique and exclusive supply arrangements with the farmers, the company can receive very fresh ingredients,
reliably.
• Community: The HERE model decreases food miles, using less resources.
With each purchase, money gets reinvested in the consumer’s local
community.
• Retailers: The locally sourced products deliver a unique value proposition
to retailers, expanding local products beyond the produce department.
• Consumer: HPP products are unique tasting (very fresh and intense flavors), fresh (local ingredients), healthy (clean label and plant based), convenient, and trusted. By applying scale and vertical integration, they can do
this at a competitive price point.
By building a community of farmer/suppliers and providing a value-added
approach to local produce, HERE hopes to be able to replicate their Midwest
model at other locations in the United States and potentially abroad.
1
https://fieldandfarmer.co/
(continued)
7 Innovation and the Quest to Feed the World
to water. Water is just a form of energy. If we have a sustainable, affordable, scalable source of energy, we can actually produce as much water as we need.”
While the new startup entrepreneurs in Agtech/FoodTech show promise, they are
still only scratching the surface on the global issues of technology access and feeding those in need. Most startups focus on a commercially viable business model
while investors are targeting a profitable exit. Better collaboration is needed between
the small startups, venture funds, governments, and corporations to develop innovative, sustainable, and most importantly scalable solutions that can be applied broadly
in a global environment. Of concern are the 2.5 billion people that live on the
500 million small farm households in most of the developing economies. Their ability to access innovative agricultural and food solutions is critical to the objective of
feeding the planet.
17
For many of these smallholder farms, access to water, improved
crop yields, access to capital, and easier delivery to markets are critical resources.
Several startups and agriculture innovation have started tackling these perplexing issues:
17 https://foodsecurityindex.eiu.com › DownloadResource
finished packages to kill yeast, mold, and bacteria. Once the juice or spread is
packaged, it is placed in a hydrostatic pressure vessel and subjected to over
87,000 pounds per square inch of pressure.
The HERE model works as follows:
• Farmers: HERE has direct relationships with local farmers. As a result,
they earn more income, gain exposure, and enjoy predictable price and
quantity parameters. By developing unique and exclusive supply arrangements with the farmers, the company can receive very fresh ingredients,
reliably.
• Community: The HERE model decreases food miles, using less resources.
With each purchase, money gets reinvested in the consumer’s local
community.
• Retailers: The locally sourced products deliver a unique value proposition
to retailers, expanding local products beyond the produce department.
• Consumer: HPP products are unique tasting (very fresh and intense flavors), fresh (local ingredients), healthy (clean label and plant based), convenient, and trusted. By applying scale and vertical integration, they can do
this at a competitive price point.
By building a community of farmer/suppliers and providing a value-added
approach to local produce, HERE hopes to be able to replicate their Midwest
model at other locations in the United States and potentially abroad.
1
https://fieldandfarmer.co/
(continued)
7 Innovation and the Quest to Feed the World