![Essentials 1 Likemeat burger in white paper being held in front of a purple background](jpg/likemeat-3sgnkn4wrwi-unsplash_2000px.jpg)
Essentials
Discover our favorite writings, resources, research, and updates about plant-based meat, cultivated meat, and fermentation.
What are alternative proteins?
Explore these resources for a general overview of the growing fields of plant-based meat, cultivated meat, and fermentation as well as our favorite resources. Given how essential alternative proteins are to a global protein transition, the term itself needs to be universally understood, on the tip of more tongues, and at the top of more agendas. Learn how alternative proteins are defined.
![Essentials 2 Bruce friedrich on stage during a ted talk presentation](jpg/ted-official-shot-1-lo-603x757.jpg)
GFI at TED
GFI Executive Director and 2019 TED Fellow Bruce Friedrich discusses how plant-based and cultivated meat can solve some of our most pressing global challenges.
![Essentials 7 Cultivated grilled chicken on a bed of mushroom pasta and herbs viewed from above](jpg/cultured_chicken_pasta2438_in_bowl-wholecrop-603x757.jpg)
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Cultivated meat
This is your guide to cultivated meat. Explore our tools, resources, and expert analysis of the cultivated meat industry.
![Essentials 14 Close up view of a woman holding a delicious plant-based burger in her hands](jpg/gettyimages-918656764-lo-603x757.jpg)
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Plant-based meat
This is your guide to plant-based meat. Explore our tools, resources, and expert analysis of this field, from science to policy and markets.
![Essentials 20 Sliced grilled fungi-based steak on a bed of greens and vegetables, by meati foods](jpg/ee_meati_feb20_832-lo-603x757.jpg)
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Fermentation
This is your guide to precision fermentation and whole biomass fermentation for alt protein production. Find resources, tools, and expert industry analysis here.
Key resources
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Research grants
Learn about cutting-edge alternative protein research funded by GFI. Find funding opportunities for your own research.
![Essentials 27 A school of fish swimming along a reef underwater](jpg/thinkstockphotos-486819996-lo-800x600.jpg)
Sustainable Seafood Initiative
Learn how plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated seafood can improve the health and sustainability of oceans.
![Essentials 28 World map graphic with circles representing communication and global collaboration](png/community-header-updated-800x600.png)
GFIdeas Community
Learn from and network with experts in alternative protein. GFIdeas is a community for entrepreneurs, scientists, students, and subject matter experts.
![Essentials 29 A group of entrepreneurs gathered around a table meeting about their business plan](jpg/pexels-rfstudio-3810796-800x600.jpg)
Startup manual
This guide lays out the steps involved in starting an alternative protein company, from securing funding and developing your product to scaling up and expanding distribution.
![Essentials 30 Hands typing on a laptop computer keyboard, representing mooc concept for cultured meat and plant-based meat science.](jpg/top-blogs-image-lo-800x600.jpg)
Massive open online course
Enroll in GFI’s open-access online course to learn about the science of plant-based and cultivated meat.
Policy filings and briefs
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Year in Review
Discover how we’re creating a world where alternative proteins are no longer alternative. Dig into our annual reports to learn more.
GFI annual reports
Featured blogs
![Essentials 39 Just chicken bites](jpg/just-chicken-bites-dinner-setting-1-800x600.jpg)
BREAKING: World’s first approval of cultivated meat sales
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the lead agency for food-related matters in Singapore, has approved the sale of a cultivated meat product in the city-state.
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Why the U.S. should prioritize alternative protein research
Alternative proteins can enhance food security. But, to integrate them into our food supply, we need public investment in alternative protein research and development.
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How plant-based companies are fighting back against label censorship
With help from organizations like GFI and ALDF, plant-based companies are challenging unnecessary and unconstitutional label censorship laws and transforming the policy landscape.
![Essentials 42 Various different plates of alternative protein](jpg/cc-by-nc_cm-header-2_credit-wild-type-avant-meats-new-age-meats-shiok-meats-bluenalu-2-800x428.jpg)
Cultivated meat could transform our food system. Let’s use images that do it justice
Cultivated meat needs fewer bad stock photos and more images of real, delicious products. We put together a guide for journalists and cultivated meat startups who would like to help…
![Essentials 43 Stanford school of medicine](jpg/shutterstock_1630337686-800x600.jpg)
Stanford Medicine study shows nutrition benefits of plant-based meat
A new Stanford School of Medicine study on the effects of plant-based meat compared to animal-based meat shows nutrition benefits for plant-based meat.
![Essentials 44 Hand turning blocks from 2020 to 2021](jpg/shutterstock_1770534305-800x600.jpg)
GFI’s top 20 moments for alternative proteins in 2020
All around the world, 2020 was a remarkable year for alternative proteins.
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How plant-based meat can help heal our soil while feeding more people than ever
There is no such thing as a sustainable food system without healthy soil. The alternative protein economy can help us get there.
GFI activities
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Why we’re funding the next crop of alt protein research
If plant-based and cultivated meat are to supply the global demand for meat, we must fill white spaces in research. Check out four innovations our 2020 Competitive Research Grant recipients…
![Essentials 47 Https://gfi. Org/wp content/uploads/2020/08/app email header 1](png/app-email-header-1-435x297.png)
Students will lead the alternative protein revolution. GFI’s Alt Protein Project is here to help.
As the leaders of tomorrow, students are uniquely positioned to help build a better food system. That’s why GFI launched the Alt Protein Project.
![Essentials 48 Plant-based meat with zucchini](jpg/shutterstock_1600762885-2-435x297.jpg)
GFI’s symposium highlights fermentation’s critical role in the alternative protein industry
How do we feed 10 billion people by 2050? Fermentation provides a promising solution. That’s why GFI held the first virtual Symposium on Fermentation, connecting experts and industry players to…
![Essentials 49 Ocean full of fish](jpg/shutterstock_1439024267-3-435x297.jpg)
WSO’s Friend of the Sea certification matters for the plant-based seafood industry. Here’s why
The World Sustainability Organization, in partnership with GFI’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative, announced it will begin certifying plant-based seafood products under their Friend of the Sea certification program.
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Help power a good food future
All of the above – and much more! – has been accomplished only because of the generous support of donors like you.
To USDA re solicitation of input on agricultural innovations
GFI urges former Deputy Secretary Censky to prioritize open-access research for alternative proteins. Learn more about the benefits of doing so.