Tomorrow's Bites with Andrés and Sjacco E31: Is Vertical Farming actually WORTH it? - with In-Kitchen Vertical Farming Pioneer of VaVersa, Olivier Francescangeli
For certain consumers, technology and food sometimes seem a scary combination.
But actually, when it happens, it revolutionizes the food system. In this episode, we talk with Olivier Francescangeli, the founder of VaVersa, a venture that aims to provide chefs with their own small vertical gardens to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.
Therefore, he is more than prepared to discuss how technology can enhance our food industry, the obstacles of starting a food tech venture under consumer scrutiny, and the main challenges of vertical farming.
Because vertical farming requires some trade-offs to make it work, but what if those are actually worth it?
Get ready for a conversation full of valuable insights about the confrontation between technology and nature, the challenge of starting your own business, and the thrilling world of food technology.
Discussed:
- What is the concept of Tech4Good, and how does it apply to the food industry and sustainability?
- The emotional connection of society with food.
- How Olivier decided to move to the Netherlands to study food technology.
- What are the sustainable challenges that the food industry faces, and how do these impact the market?
- The natural dimension of food and whether it represents a secure value in today's food systems.
- The mission of VaVersa and how they are implementing their indoor gardens in kitchens.
- How VaVersa has never lost a customer since they started.
- How VaVersa developed a technology that allows for the growth of happy plants, which provide high-quality vegetables.
- The problems of the conventional supply chain versus the features of VaVersa.
- How the standardisation of VaVersa could impact the supply chain and, therefore, the food industry.
- The great hurdle of educating people and debunking misconceptions.
- The key to balancing innovation and tradition.
- How Olivier seeks to make a social impact with the LocaLeaves Foundation.
- What are the trade-offs necessary when implementing vertical farming?
- The potential future success of vertical farming.
- What excites Olivier about the future of food.
- Which innovations in food might become a success.
And much more exciting insights!
Quote: "We are much more critical with food than we are with other industries"
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😊 The Guest: Olivier Francescangeli
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