Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics – the author of the Power of Meat 2023 report along with other meat studies and presentations – will provide insights and updates on consumer trends regarding meat purchases in a post-pandemic world, especially cooking at home vs. dining out. As a special bonus exclusively for MeatingPod, Anne-Marie also will introduce new material using audio responses from consumer interviews that provide additional context on how consumer feel today about accessing meat. 

Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics – the author of the Power of Meat 2023 report along with other meat studies and related presentations – will provide insights and updates on consumer trends when buying meat. As a special bonus exclusively for MeatingPod, Anne-Marie also will introduce new material using audio responses from consumer interviews that provide additional context on the consumer relationship with meat at retail.

Dr. Jeyam Subbiah, Project Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Arkansas, describes how a coalition of five U.S. academic institutions are working together to achieve what he calls “transformational changes” in poultry production. The USDA-backed research focuses on such advances as automated pathogen identification at plants in addition to new robotics that can boost production efficiency.

For all the excitement over the start-ups in the alt-meat space, it’s the giant multinationals, like Cargill, Tyson and ADM, with the muscle to make the biggest splash. Leticia Gonçalves, president of global foods for ADM, is leading that company’s holistic approach to the alt-protein supply chain. Gonçalves discusses ADM’s new deep dive report into what consumers are thinking now about the alt-protein sector, and the company’s omnichannel approach to investing and innovating for the next generation of alt-meat.

Marty Linn, Director of Engineering at the Tyson Manufacturing Automation Center in Springdale, Ark., discusses advances and challenges he and his team face as they develop automated and robotics systems for use in chicken processing. The goal of boosting efficiency, reducing costs and worker safety dovetails with Tyson’s commitment to help Tyson team members expand their skills and, thus, enhance their careers. 

Drew Getty, vice president of environmental sustainability and government relations and chief compliance officer at Perdue Farms, provides insights into two greenhouse gas abatement programs the poultry processor launched and expanded within six months. The program with GreenGasUSA has reduced carbon emissions by 17%, representing the elimination of 4.5 million gallons of gasoline being consumed by automobiles. Getty notes that the effort is expected to include more Perdue facilities beyond the current programs in Kentucky and North Carolina.

Martin Bucknavage, senior food safety extension associate at the Penn State University Department of Food Science, discusses the latest advances he has seen in his role as a resource for meat companies and state regulators regarding food security and waste. His two decades of experience in the food industry allow him to provide unique perspectives on developments in food safety protocols. 

Bill Aimutis, director of the North Carolina Food Innovation Lab, brought a couple of decades’ experience in global innovation with Cargill to his position, so when he speaks on the best way to launch and grow an alt-meat (or any other kind of food) business, people listen. Aimutis shared his thoughts with Alt-Meat on how best to thrive in the rough economic waters now surrounding the alt-proteins business. 

Dr. Glenda Humiston,  vice president of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department at the University of California, outlines the goals and plans for USDA’s Regional Food Business Centers. The $400-million program will involve establishing 12 facilities focused on the areas of food distribution from the processing level to the partnerships that help food to efficiently reach consumers. The new network will augment existing state-level programs and aims to help farm producers and food businesses expand their facilities using improved infrastructure and communications. 

Esteemed poultry scientist Dr. Christine Alvarado outlines the inherent challenges poultry processors face producing raw and cooked products when it comes to the inevitable pathogens that are present inside processing plants. She also notes the advances in cleaning processes and other equipment in plants and describes the status of regulatory agencies and their practices when it comes to ensuring food safety in poultry products.