SOUTH AFRICA – Infinite Foods, Africa’s importer and distributor of world leading plant-based brands has announced the formation of its inaugural Advisory Board that will grow the company’s reach across sub-Saharan Africa, expand local manufacturing and incubate opportunities to work with local farmers for plant protein inputs.
Infinite Foods is Africa’s premier go-to-market platform for plant-based food brands, whose mission is to make nutritious and environmentally sustainable meat and dairy alternatives accessible to African consumers.
Within 18 months of launch, Infinite Foods has brought the biggest plant-based food brands to Africa, including Beyond Meat, Miyoko’s Creamery, Nature et Moi and Oatly.
These products are now offered through more than 800 retail, and foodservice outlets, including Woolworths, Famous Brands and Spur Group.
According to the company, the board includes agricultural policy experts, best-selling plant-based nutrition authors, industry voices and investors.
The board members are: Ada Osakwe, entrepreneur and founder of Nuli, fresh-food and beverage company; Marco Borges, New York Times Bestselling author and founder of 22 Days Nutrition and Lindiwe Sibanda, globally recognised food security and agricultural policy expert.
The other members are Nil Zacharias, Entrepreneur, Author, and host of leading food podcast “Eat For The Planet”; Johnny Ream, a venture investor Stray Dog Capital, a VC fund that partners with early stage companies across the food, beverage, and biotechnology sectors; Leozette Roode, author of The South African Vegan Cookbook; and George Sibtoshiwe, entrepreneur and co-founder of South African delivery company, Sendr.
Announcing the Advisory Board launch, Michelle Adelman, founder and CEO of Infinite Foods, said, “We are passionate about catalysing a sustainable plant-based food sector in Africa.
“We are honoured to work with our Advisors to improve the accessibility, affordability and convenience of great tasting, locally relevant and nutritious plant-based products”.
The Board is chaired by Mayur Patel, an experienced entrepreneur and founding member of Infinite Foods.
“Changing what we eat is the most powerful tool we have to improve health and environmental sustainability.” said Mr. Patel.
Plant-based foods are scientifically proven to be healthier than animal-based protein, reducing emerging lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
The guidance from leading public health institutions, including the American Heart Association is clear: “eating less meat or giving it up entirely [leads to] less risk of disease and improved health and well-being”.
As a result of the recent Covid-19 crisis, consumers will be increasingly focused on food safety, health and how to build up immunity through improved nutrition, which will likely lead to an increased adoption of accessible plant-based foods on the continent.
Infinite Foods stated that its committed to providing consumers with delicious plant-based food options from both local and international brands and creating more opportunities for the plant-based industry to grow in Sub Saharan Africa.
As Infinite Foods has expanded operations to South Africa, Mauritius, Botswana and soon opening in Kenya, there has been incredible growth and excitement among consumers choosing a “plant-forward” lifestyle.
Consumers are embracing efforts to improve their health and environmental footprint through their food choices – whether it is meat-free one day a week, flexitarian or 100% plant-based (vegan).
