A UK Consortium Powered by upA broccoli harvest and protein specialist has been awarded an £800K grant from the UK Government for a project to accelerate the development of low-cost, low-impact, highly nutritious protein from upcycled broccoli.
“Global demand for plant protein is increasing significantly”.
In collaboration with the James Hutton Institute and the Agri-EPI Center, the Sasprot project targets the 80% of currently unharvested broccoli crop biomass, such as stems and stalks. Extract protein and ingredients for plant-based foods.
Projects selected by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Consortium In UKRI’s Transforming Food Production Challenge.
Sustainable food from waste
David Whitewood, co-founder and CEO of UPP commented: “We are delighted to have won this grant and to be working with the best AgriFoodTech team in the UK to deliver this project. Global demand for plant protein is growing significantly, driven by a strong consumer demand for healthy nutrition and sustainable food.”
The SusProt project targets two of agriculture’s most significant challenges: reducing crop waste and decarbonizing the protein supply.
“Broccoli waste is just as nutritious and healthy as the broccoli heads we buy at the supermarket.“
DEFRA figures show that 600,000 tonnes of broccoli biomass is wasted in the UK, including ugly heads that do not meet strict supermarket standards. Moreover, bRoccoli protein is four times less carbon intensive than pea protein and has less environmental and social impact than soy – the most widely used plant for protein.
“Broccoli waste is just as nutritious and healthy as the heads of broccoli we buy at the supermarket, the goal of this project is that broccoli is no longer ‘going to waste,'” added Whitewood.
Everyone wins
Upcycled Plant Power (upp) was founded in 2022 by David Whitewood, Martin Stace and leading organic farmer Polybell Farm to create material from crop waste.
The company has developed unique broccoli harvesting technology that uses cameras and machine learning to detect when plants are ready to harvest. A tractor-towed tool, which can replace seven workers, then collects the tree and separates the head.
In January, UPP received £500K in funding from Elbow Beach Capital to further develop its AI-powered broccoli harvesting technology.
famous James Hutton InstituteOften called the MIT of AgriTech, it will offer expertise in crop evaluation, phytochemistry, food and nutrition. Agri-EPI CentreEstablished as part of the UK Government’s agri-technology strategy, will provide life cycle and sustainability analysis, including water, energy use and GHG emissions, and deliver evidence-based environmental benefits.
The SusProt consortium already works with leading food companies Samworth Brothers, Innocent Drinks, and Lees of Scotland. They will test and evaluate proteins and other extracts for use in their products.
Professor Derek Stewart, director of the Advanced Plant Growth Center at the James Hutton Institute, commented: “There is strong evidence that consumption of brassicas such as broccoli reduces the risk of major degenerative diseases.
“Fortifying food with clean proteins and ingredients from grain waste is an easy win for farmers, food producers and end users, and this project will help deliver that win.”
The project will end in December next year and will evaluate the possibility of expanding to other untapped primary crops.