How This Company is Turning 40% of Wasted Food into Profit!

Did you know that 40% of food is wasted globally? What if we could turn that waste into delicious, nutritious food? In this episode of the Conscious Design Podcast, host Ian Peterman sits down with Dan Kurzrock, CEO of Upcycled Food Inc., to discuss how upcycling can revolutionize the food industry and create a more circular economy. Dan shares his journey from homebrewing beer in college to launching a company that transforms food byproducts into high-value ingredients. Throughout the conversation, they dive into the staggering scale of food waste and why upcycling presents a powerful business opportunity. They explore how circular economy solutions can reduce waste while creating new revenue streams for businesses. Finally, they examine the future of sustainable food, highlighting what both consumers and businesses can do to drive meaningful change in the industry. Notable Moments: 00:00 - Guest Introduction 00:45 - Dan Kurzrock's Journey into Food Waste and the Birth of Upcycled Foods,Inc. 04:44 - The Scale of Food Waste and Industry Circularity 10:25 - Circularity in the Food Industry 20:20 - Global Perspectives and Tools for Tackling Food Waste 31:11 - Certifications, Messaging, and the Growth of Upcycled Foods 49:48 - Market Demand and the Future of Sustainable Foods 54:50 - Final Thoughts and How to Connect About Daniel Kurzrock and Upcycled Foods, Inc. Daniel Kurzrock is the founder and CEO of Upcycled Foods, Inc., a pioneer in upcycled food innovation and food system circularity. He holds a BA from UCLA, where underage homebrewing started it all, and a sustainable MBA from Presidio Graduate School. Upcycled Foods, Inc. (UP, Inc.) powers the B2B upcycled food economy with product development expertise,cutting-edge technology, and a growing portfolio of ingredient solutions, including ReGrained SuperGrain+®. Through its Upcycled Foods LabTM, UP, Inc partners with industry companies of all sizes to close the loop on undervalued supply chains, delivering products with exceptional taste, nutrition, and functionality that meet market and consumer demand. Learn More About Daniel Kurzrock and Upcycled Foods, Inc. (UP, Inc.) Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upcycled-foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regrained/ Website: https://upcycledfoods.com/ Learn More About Conscious Design YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/3sG7VEi Blog: https://bit.ly/3kltV6s Conscious Design Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNMN9BT Join our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2U8IlMS Visit our website: https://www.petermanfirm.com/ We created this content so that creative entrepreneurs like you can integrate social and environmental responsibility into your brand’s DNA through #ConsciousDesign. Ian Peterman, the leading expert in Conscious Design, hosts the Conscious Design podcast and is the co-author of the book "Conscious Design." 🔔 Enjoyed this episode? Help us spread the word! 👍 Like this video → it helps more people discover sustainable solutions! What do YOU think? Should more companies adopt upcycled food solutions? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it!