FoodTech Junkies

Foodtech Junkies is a deep dive podcast series for anyone who is passionate about food and ag innovation. Every week we take a 360-degree view of the latest developments and pick the brains of entrepreneurs, investors, chefs, authors, experts, advocates, visionaries, and troublemakers. These are the people paving the way for positive disruptions in our global food chain. Join us for laid-back, thought-provoking conversations about trends, investments, solutions, and our common good. sharoncittone.substack.com

FoodTech Junkies is a business podcast hosted by Sharon Cittone, with 88 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Sharon Cittone hosts FoodTech Junkies, a business show with 88 episodes published.

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  FoodTech Junkies

  Fixing Food Isn’t Just About Tech. It’s About Systems

  Dec 17, 20251h 1mS0

  <p>In this episode of FoodTech Junkies, host Sharon Cittone sits down with Marjolein Brasz, CEO of Foodvalley NL, to unpack what it really takes to move food innovation from ideas to impact.</p><p>The conversation goes beyond startups and technologies to examine the structural challenges shaping today’s food system, from fragmented value chains and misaligned incentives to consumer disconnect and policy gaps. Marjolein shares her journey from traditional industries into food system transformation, and explains why startups alone cannot drive change without collaboration across farmers, corporates, policymakers, investors, and consumers.</p><p>Together, they explore how ecosystem th...

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  FoodTech Junkies

  Rubisco Unleashed: The Leaf-Based Protein That Could Change Everything

  Dec 3, 202559 minS0

  <p>In this episode of FoodTech Junkies, host Sharon Cittone sits down with Ross Milne, CEO of Leaft Foods, to explore one of the most under-reported scientific breakthroughs in modern food innovation: the successful commercial extraction of Rubisco, the most abundant and until now, most elusive protein on Earth.</p><p>Ross shares his journey from designing some of the world’s largest food factories to pioneering a new protein category derived from green leaves, particularly alfalfa. Together, they unpack the science behind Rubisco, how Leaft cracked a century-old challenge, and why leaf-based protein could redefine sustainable nutrition, regenerative agriculture, an...

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  FoodTech Junkies

  Trapped IP, Broken Pipelines, and the Studio Changing That

  Nov 18, 20251 hourS0

  <p>How do we turn untapped science into the next generation of food companies? In this episode, we sit down with Giacomo Cattaneo, co-founder of EverGrain and now the driving force behind FOOD FOUNDERS Studio, a Swiss venture studio dedicated to turning Europe’s breakthrough food tech IP into market-ready startups.</p><p>Giacomo walks us through his journey from mechanical engineer to food innovator, his time inside one of the world’s largest beverage companies, and why he believes the future of food demands new models of venture building. We dive into the systemic challenges holding the industry back, from...

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  FoodTech Junkies

  When Chefs Meet Algorithms: Inside Starday’s AI-Driven Food Revolution

  Oct 28, 202546 minS0

  <p>Dive into the intriguing intersection of creativity and technology in the food industry with Chaz Flexman and Lena Kwak, co-founders of Starday. Discover how AI tools are transforming product innovation and development in the culinary world, balancing human intuition with data-driven insight. With her experience leading R&D at The French Laundry and as the entrepreneur behind Cup4Cup, Lena brings deep expertise in flavor, formulation, and sensory design. Chaz, formerly of Pattern Brands and a16z, adds the strategic and operational lens to bridge creativity, technology, and growth. Together, they’re building the future of food innovation, a da...

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  FoodTech Junkies

  Facing Reality: Transforming Food Systems with KM ZERO’s Beatriz Jacoste

  Oct 14, 202548 minS0

  <p>Join FoodTech Junkies host Sharon Cittone in conversation with Beatriz Jacoste, CEO of KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub and one of Spain’s leading voices in the transformation of global food systems.</p><p>From her early passion for gastronomy to the helm of KM ZERO, Bea shares how innovation, collaboration, and grounded leadership are reshaping how we produce, distribute, and value food.</p><p>Together, they explore the shifting landscape of food innovation, from overhyped narratives to real impact, touching on frugal innovation, food security, lessons from Latin America, and how corporations are recalibrating toward resilience and purpose.</p>...

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