“We started our journey in 2013, long before upcycling was a trend, with the goal of unlocking every grain of potential in our barley to have a positive impact on people and planet,” said Gregory Belt, EverGrain CEO, in the press release. “We are transforming spent barley—what we, at EverGrain, call saved barley—into one of the world’s most sustainable, accessible, plentiful sources of plant-based protein and fiber.”
EverGrain Ingredients was created by AB InBev.
“As the world’s largest brewing company, AB InBev depends on high-quality barley from thriving communities and healthy ecosystems to brew our beers,” said Ties Soeters, EverGrain Chief Product Owner. “Every year, 1.4 million metric tons are left over, or ‘spent’ through the brewing process. Given the global scale, protein quality and market advantage, the team at EverGrain saw a unique opportunity to unleash the power of upcycled nutrition to meet the increasing global demand for plant-based products.”
Related: Ecovia Intelligence Predicts Surge in Upcycled Products for 2022 Specialty Food Association Releases Top 5 2022 Trends UFA Opens Enrollment for Upcycled Certification Program
UFA recently announced that demand for its certification has exceeded original projections. The 141 packaged foods and ingredients with the upcycled designation are now projected to prevent more than 703m pounds of food waste annually."The products and ingredients that have gone through the certification thus far span food, cosmetics, personal care, and pet food, and are created by both small startups and global legacy brands,” shared UFA Founder and CEO Turner Wyatt. “This represents a major shift in our consumer product and retail environments because for the first time, consumers can help to prevent food waste every time they walk into a grocery store."
