"We welcome initiatives that identify problems and present a solution right away."
Christoph Jenny, Co-Founder Planted Foods AG (Foto Copyright: Planted)
Started in 2018 as an ETH spinoff; research and experimentation took place until the official company foundation followed in 2019. Today, Planted's products are gaining space and attention in supermarkets at home and abroad. Co-founder and finance expert Christoph Jenny and his three colleagues have set themselves the goal of revolutionizing the way meat is perceived and consumed globally. They focus on taste, environment, animal welfare and health!
How do you explain to your grandparents what you are doing for a sustainable future by founding Planted?
Industrial meat production threatens the food security of 8 billion people and is one of the main drivers of climate change. So one thing is clear, we urgently need to find a way to meet our protein needs more sustainably. At Planted, we want to initiate a fundamental rethink and thus redefine the way meat is perceived and consumed. We're doing it with 100% plant-based meat without compromising on the delicious taste of meat while respecting the environment. For example, our "planted.chicken" produces 74% less Co2 and uses 46% less water than conventional chicken.
How does the FOOD2050 concept play into this mission?
We welcome initiatives that identify problems and present a solution right away. The concept of FOOD2050 helps to raise awareness of the issue of sustainable nutrition and thus achieve greater acceptance of plant-based nutrition. It is well known that meat is not good for the environment. However, the positive impact of plant-based alternatives is far from everyone’s awareness. Plant-based meats don’t mean a compromise in taste and can cover the same nutritional values as the animal based counterpart with an improved environmental footprint.
Planted produces meat from plants, with taste and consistency confusingly similar to meat. Is imitating the original the only way to convince meat lovers to follow an alternative and more sustainable diet?
Today's meat consumption, compared to 50 or 100 years ago, is almost like an addictive need. Meat has always been part of our lives and we link it to many traditions. So to make a sustainable difference, our approach to our products is that they taste as good as or better than meat and can be used one-to-one as an alternative to animal meat.
Transparency thanks to glass house architecture: Whoever wants to see how the meat is “harvested”, is welcome at the production facility in Kemptthal. (Photo Copyright: Planted)
Why does a Planted product offer more transparency than knowing where the cow comes from when eating a steak?
Meat production has become increasingly abstract for end consumers in recent decades. If you buy a piece of packaged meat in the supermarket, you can comfortably ignore what actually lies behind it. With us it is different, we have built our production facility in Kemptthal in a glass house. Anyone who wants to take a look and understand how meat is harvested at our plant is cordially invited to do so!
What is still in store for us, and how do we manage to look back with pride in 2050?
Our food culture definitely needs to change, away from animal proteins to plant proteins. And this is where every single person can make a difference, even if it only starts with a vegetarian or vegan menu once a week.
Planted Kebab (Photo Copyright: Planted)