The Vergecast Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown on sustainable food systems and the science of protein
Jun 11, 2019
Ethan Brown, CEO of Beyond Meat, shares his journey in creating plant-based meat alternatives, driven by a commitment to sustainability. He discusses the innovation behind replicating traditional meat qualities and the rising popularity of pea protein. The conversation delves into consumer attitudes shifting towards health and sustainability, as well as the challenges facing traditional farmers amidst this transition. Brown emphasizes the importance of non-GMO ingredients and the future of plant-based foods in reshaping our food system.
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Childhood Origins
- Ethan Brown's interest in the food system began in childhood while observing animals on his family's dairy farm.
- This sparked questions about the differing treatment of animals within and outside of agriculture.
Livestock Emissions
- Ethan Brown realized that livestock emissions significantly contribute to climate change, exceeding those from automobiles and power plants.
- This led him to shift from clean energy to focus on plant-based meats.
Founding Beyond Meat
- Brown founded Beyond Meat in 2009, aiming to create meat directly from plants.
- He saw the animal as a bottleneck, consuming vast resources to produce meat, which could be done more efficiently directly from plants.