What is Upcycled Foods, Inc.?
Upcycled Foods, Inc. (UP, Inc.) is a vibrant hub for innovative B2B ingredients and services, focused on transforming the food industry. Their flagship product, ReGrained SuperGrain+®, leads a growing portfolio of complementary ingredients, value-added products, and private label capabilities. The mission? To better align the food we eat with the planet and the people we love. It’s all about turning overlooked resources into culinary gold, creating nutritious, sustainable options that make a real difference.
The Main Benefits of Upcycled Foods
Upcycled Foods delivers unmatched culinary potential, nutritional potency, and measurable environmental impact through versatile ingredients like ReGrained SuperGrain+® and upcycled coffee leaf tea. Here are some key figures and facts that highlight their impact:
- 1 billion tonnes of food wasted globally in 2022—about one-third of all food produced.
- Food waste drives 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- 568 products now carry the Upcycled Certified® seal, a 17% year-over-year increase.
- 1.2 million tonnes of would-be waste diverted thanks to upcycled products.
- 57% of shoppers express interest in buying upcycled foods.
- 1.3 million pounds of food waste diverted by Upcycled Foods so far.
- 39 million liters of water saved compared to wheat flour production.
- 40 acres of land use avoided compared to traditional wheat flour.
Innovative Ingredients and Culinary Potential
ReGrained SuperGrain+® is a versatile, economical, and environmentally friendly grain powder packed with plant protein, dietary fiber, and prebiotics. It’s perfect for adding to baked goods, snacks, extrusions, coatings, sauces, beverages, and many other commercial applications. This ingredient makes it easy to deliver the “better for you” nutritional and sustainability innovations that customers are demanding today. Plus, the upcycled coffee leaf tea adds a unique twist to the portfolio, offering new culinary possibilities.
Driving Product Development and Collaboration
Upcycled Foods supports teams in developing top-selling upcycled food products that come with health and environmental claims—fast, from concept to market. The team is made up of foodies, brand geeks, sustainability nerds, innovators, and creators all dedicated to powering the next generation of product innovations. They believe in collaborative innovation and want to partner with brands to create delicious, nutritious, and sustainable food options that truly resonate with consumers.
The Environmental and Economic Impact of Upcycling
Upcycling is a powerful solution to reduce food waste, eliminate food insecurities, and conserve limited resources. Globally, one-third of agricultural land is used to produce food that’s never eaten, resulting in a $1 trillion loss annually due to food waste. Upcycled Foods is at the forefront of this movement, recognizing that upcycling is one of the most scalable, practical, and impactful tools available. By working together, the food industry can significantly reduce environmental harm while creating economic value.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Reducing food insecurity through upcycled food products.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Minimizing food waste and promoting sustainable food systems.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Lowering greenhouse gas emissions linked to food waste.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Conserving agricultural land and natural resources.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborating with industry and nonprofits to scale impact.
Commitment to Mission and Community
Upcycled Foods operates as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) and holds BCorp Certification, locking in their mission to use business as a force for good—for people, planet, and profit. They donate 1% of sales to environmental causes and co-founded the Upcycled Food Association and Foundation, which now includes over 200 members and administers a critical third-party certification. Their partnership with FoodShift as part of the 1% For the Planet initiative has already provided over $42,000 in value and helped secure more than $50,000 in grant funding. This commitment shows that upcycling isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a movement toward a better, more sustainable future.
