Jeff Bezos’ philanthropic fund is dedicating $60 million to enhancing alternative meats, aiming to improve their taste and reduce their cost.
Lauren Sánchez, Bezos’ fiancée and the vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, revealed the fund’s investment on Tuesday as part of a larger $1 billion commitment to revolutionizing the food industry.
The $60 million will be used to establish research centers focused on enhancing quality, nutrition, and cost-efficiency in the production of plant-based meats, as stated in a press release.
“There are also enormous opportunities to enhance the texture and boost flavor through innovation in cell biology and engineering,” the release noted.
In a video interview with Bloomberg, Andy Jarvis, the director of Future of Food at the fund, emphasized the importance of alternative meats in staying within planetary boundaries and feeding a growing population sustainably. He highlighted the need for these products to be more affordable and flavorful.
The Bezos Earth Fund, initiated in 2020 with a $10 billion commitment from Bezos, the world’s third-richest person, focuses on combating the climate crisis and preserving nature.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, increased consumption of meat and dairy alternatives could significantly reduce climate-harming emissions, especially in high and middle-income countries.
