Ep. 126 - [The Good Food Institute Series] Effective Altruism and Food with Zak Weston, Corporate Engagement Specialist at the GFI

Really excited to have the first of 5 interviews from the generous people at the Good Food Institute, the best nonprofit that deals with the plant-based meat and clean meat space.

Zak Weston never thought he would end up in food but after finding how much he could impact the world, he persistently networked his way to a job as a corporate engagement specialist at the Good Food Institute

Zak convinces companies to put more plant-based options on their menus and clients include restaurants, food service companies, and even manufacturing.

One really important topic Zak and I get into is discussing the group, Effective Altruism, a very pragmatic group of individuals who want to do good in the world. This is where Zak found that food was his calling.

If you are stuck in your life, then this episode will motivate you to keep going. The food industry is the perfect industry to impact the world.

Quick note, I met Zak in person at the Protein Technologies Seminar. It’s always good to put a face with a name.

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ShowNotes

What did you do before the food industry?: Sales and marketing in software or non profit. I once started reading about the food industry and found that I could help fix the food industry. When someone asks what you do for a living, what would you do in a sentence or less?: I talk to companies on why you should give plant-based options. Companies all over the world are looking for plant-based products A lot of the job is networking, attending conferences and trade shows and talking. Sometimes we need to cold call but we have noticed companies are very open. We can easily tell people that people are open to plant-based food. We try to ask for a resource How do you find information about plant-based news: We have a team of 33 people who are writing and aggregating about the plant and clean meat industry. Plant-Based Foods Association, Nielsen, other well-respected places. Better Buying Lab, Academic Research, Asking Private sectors for answers. World Resources Institute Faunalytics: A subset of the research and data they’ve aggregated is plant-based and clean meat food Do you think companies who want plant-based options have a moral reason or financial reason?: Both. We take a pragmatic approach and fully expect that they need to make the profit. What is one misconception you want to dispel about the food industry?: The Food industry really does want to repair the world and climate change. GFI works to make sure things can be more sustainable. Consumers such as millennials care about the environment and where food comes from. Describe the Steps it took to get to where you are today?: I majored in business development. I had a job in Ohio and then in Florida. I learned a ton about sales I wanted to get into the food industry so I read a lot and interviewed people a lot. Effective Altruism Bruce Friedrich How did you get your job? Through networking or job application?: I met people in the GFI, did food industry networking, etc Center for Effective Altruism 80,000 hours – career guide to maximizing your impact using your career. Helps when you’re uncertain on your career. What is the most important skill you need for your job?: Being entrepreneurial, also being a great communicator Do you need to learn communication?: You can learn it. You have to put yourself in situations to do that. I used to read books on small talk which I found embarrassing. Once you practice doing it, you become more confident. Adam’s perspective: I only became social because I needed to lead things How many companies do you talk to a day?: 2 to 3 companies. Sometimes small or big. We maintain a product database on plant-based food service and retail to deliver to places who need that Made restaurant scorecards of 100 restaurant chains to evaluate their menu What would be your dream job title?: This is the perfect job. If I wanted to progress, I’d do the but bigger and better. What do you look for most in a job?: Impact on important issues. Most millennials don’t know how to change the world. “I want to change the world and I don’t know how” Trends and Technology: Plant based and clean meat (duh!) Memphis Meats Beyond Meat Regenerative Agriculture Wendell Berry one acre fund Mark Post Mosa Meats Expo West: Improve Nature, Forage, faba bean (chickpea?) butter, there are a lot of starts that blow me away Daiya’s ice cream pop Daiya yogurts Beyond Sausage Who inspired you to get into food?: A set of people that impresse don me that food is important. What books did you read that started you the food path?: The Ethics of What We Eat - Why our food choices matter. It’s probably the most consequential thing we do all day. Clean Meat by Paul Shapiro David Welch Michael Pollan’s book – Omnivore’s Dilemma What the best thing you’ve ever eaten?: On date nights, we try different recipes. We have a lot of dietary restrictions. We found an amazing dairy-free cashew alfredo sauce. Creamy, great consistency, nutty. Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to go into the food industry?: Get into the plant based and clean meat industry. Do as much research as you can and go to conferences. I promise you it’ll be very rewarding as this is the ebst time to get into food. What do you think colleges should teach you to be more prepared?: You should work in companies who value growth because it gives you career capital that will help you build success. It’s important to systematically explore career options. Eventually, you’ll get into a career space: hell yes, I want to do this every day. 80,000 hours career guide So Good They Can’t Ignore You You have to show high quality, passionate work that shows “yes, that person can do the job”

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