Gourmet News

Goya Foods Sends Food, Drinks to East Palestine, Ohio

Published February 20, 2023

Goya Foods, through its Goya Gives global initiative, is sending ready-to-serve Goya food and beverages to the people of East Palestine and surrounding areas in response to the Ohio train derailment.

“The impact of this disaster is devastating on both the community and the environment. East Palestine has been treated like a forgotten town, and while this may be a small community, it is not a forgotten community by Goya. We are always present during moments of tragedy for all people in need,” said Bob Unanue, president and CEO of Goya Foods.

Goya products will be received and distributed with the help of Chaney Nezbeth, executive director of Way Station, a community resource for families and individuals in need.

“Being able to offer the residents of East Palestine food and beverages options that don’t require their tap water for preparation is something no one else had even thought of. The variety of items that Goya is providing is incredible and absolutely needed right now,” Nezbeth said.

Through Goya Gives, Goya is always at the forefront of natural disasters and humanitarian relief efforts, donating millions of pounds of food each year in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Goya donated food to the people of Turkey and Syria.

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Miyoko’s Creamery Founder Leaves Company

Published February 17, 2023

Leading plant milk dairy maker Miyoko’s Creamery and its founder, Miyoko Schinner, have parted ways as the company enters a new stage of growth. With this, Miyoko has exited as CEO and is no longer involved in day-to-day operations.

Miyoko’s Creamery has partnered with esteemed executive search firm, Heidrick & Struggles, to fill the open seat with a highly qualified, passionate, and mission-driven leader, ready to take the company into its next stage of growth. Company CFO, Jon Blair, has stepped into the role of interim president to guide this transition. Blair brings strong CPG experience and critical plant-based industry know-how to the role, having served as CFO at Rebbl and head of finance at Plum Organics.

Through this transitional period, Miyoko’s Creamery is making significant strides to perfect the art of creating cheese and butter from plant milks. The company continues to bring innovative, delicious and better-for-you dairy alternatives to market that appeal to consumers seeking plant-forward eating, including the company’s recently launched, category first-of-its-kind Cinnamon Raisin Plant Milk Cream Cheese product.

The company remains ever committed to delivering the highest quality vegan products to serve customers and challenge category norms with taste appeal, culinary excellence, and compassion. Through this commitment, Miyoko’s Creamery continues to be a Public Benefit Corporation with a stated public benefit that includes “selling new products that contain only plants, no animal ingredients, in order to eliminate animal suffering, reduce environmental stress, and improve human health”.

“Looking towards the future and exponential growth of the company, we are excited to continue and expand upon our brand mission and uphold our certified B Corporation of innovating products that only contain plant ingredients that are better for human health,” Blair said. “We also plan to make our current portfolio of products more available and to innovate products with simple, vegan ingredients, time-honored techniques, and delicious flavors.

“We continue to be driven by our core company values of craft, compassion, conviviality and courage, with these principles as our guiding light for future growth to come in the coming months and years.”

Miyoko’s cheese and butter are loved by chefs, pizzaiolos, cheesemongers, and sommeliers worldwide. Rapidly becoming a foodie favorite, Miyoko’s products are widely available in over 20,000 retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Kroger and Walmart as well as in-home delivery services like Whole Foods Market via Amazon delivery and Instacart via select retailers, as well as on Miyokos.com.

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Al Gore Among Speakers at USDA Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Summit

Published February 17, 2023

Former Vice President Al Gore will be an opening keynote speaker at the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Summit to be held May 8-10 in Washington D.C. The AIM for Climate Summit will bring together partners to increase and accelerate investment in and support for climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.

“We are honored to have former Vice President Al Gore join us in Washington this May to kick off the AIM for Climate Summit,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “He has been on the forefront of the climate crisis for more than 40 years and is a leader in the international response to combating climate change. His participation in the Summit underscores the critical role agriculture innovation plays in addressing this global issue.”

Launched at COP26 in 2021, AIM for Climate is an initiative co-led by the United Arab Emirates and the United States that seeks to enable global partnerships and solutions at the intersection of agriculture and climate change. Since its inception, AIM for Climate partners have increased investment to more than $8 billion, launched 30 innovation sprints, and expanded to more than 275 partners worldwide. At COP27 in 2022, Vilsack announced the United States will host the AIM for Climate Summit, with support from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research.

The Summit is a premier event for AIM for Climate partners designed to serve as a dynamic platform to raise ambition, build collaborations, and share knowledge on innovative solutions in the lead-up to COP28. Vilsack and Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, United Arab Emirates minister of climate change and environment, are confirmed keynote speakers.

Partners are invited to host engaging breakout sessions, present in an interactive exhibit hall, and facilitate tours for participants. The deadline to submit proposals for these activities is Thursday, Feb. 24. For more details on how to apply, visit the AIM for Climate Summit website.

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