The future of food has been the most talked about topic this year. International Summit, Seeds & Chips, based in Milan, Italy, is right at the forefront of the conversation, showcasing what’s next in food tech innovation from farm to fork. Hundreds of start-ups, companies in food and tech, investors, thought leaders and policymakers come together to share content and visions, projects and experiences.
Running from 11–14 May, Seeds & Chips is currently in full flow, exploring the world of food tech, ag tech and the “internet of food”. Follow our coverage of the event on our Twitter channel using the hashtag #SaC16.
In the meantime, we’ve highlighted three innovations in the food tech space working to provide environmentally friendly and original solutions.
Solari
Founded in 2014, Solari is a start-up that has launched the next generation of portable solar cookers. Inspired by their love of the outdoor and passion for the environment, co-founders and designers Bodin Hon and Kevin Johnson created Solari in response to a gap in the market.
Solari works in the same way as a crock pot and the team claims it can cook “virtually anything” using only energy captured from sunlight. This means the cooker is fuel-free and also pollution-free. It’s a perfect piece of kit for outdoor lovers and food enthusiasts alike and is an original innovation which makes use of solar energy, a hugely untapped energy resource.
Natural Machines
Founded in 2012, Natural Machines is a company leading the 3D printing revolution in food. They’ve recently launched Foodini, a 3D food printer that looks to change our vision of home cooking. Claiming to be “the first 3D food printer kitchen appliance to contribute to a healthy eating lifestyle”, Foodini is an IoT kitchen appliance that uses fresh ingredients, which the user prepares at home, to create meals and elaborate edible creations.
The aim of the Foodini is to “streamline some of cooking’s more [repetitive] activities such as forming dough into a dozen breadsticks, or filling and forming individual ravioli”. It does not cook food but rather “assembles” different food components. The team hope that by having this “sous chef” to hand it will encourage home cookers to be more creative with their food and eat more healthily.
Viveat
Viveat is a packaging company with a difference. Based in Italy, this company is championing smart packaging in the food and beverage sector and is helping companies explore the realms and capabilities of this digital space.
The company was created in 2014 after its founder Marcello Gamberale Paoletti, realised “that customer expectations are now higher than they have ever been”. The rise of smartphones and internet connected objects meant that the rest of the world had to catch up or be left behind.
Viveat has recently launched Viveat Wine, a smart tag that can be placed onto wine bottles to enable consumers to digitally engage with the wine, learn new information, and share their experience and search for other drinks in a range.
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