Web Summary
Q1: What is the address of Leaft Foods' headquarters?
A1: Leaft Foods Ltd PO Box 69260 Lincoln 7640 New Zealand.
Q2: What type of protein is naturally found in leafy greens?
A2: Rubisco, a protein responsible for photosynthesis in green leaves.
Q3: Why did John Penno and Maury Leyland start Leaft Foods?
A3: They founded Leaft Foods to create value for eaters and farmers while aligning with positive environmental outcomes. Their shared ambition is to reduce the environmental impact of food production.
Q4: What is the purpose of Leaft Foods' technology in extracting Rubisco protein from leaves?
A4: To provide a highly digestible, food-safe form of protein that can be easily consumed by humans, opening up a new way of food production that taps into one of the world's most abundant and sustainable food sources.
Q5: What is the estimated carbon footprint per hectare for producing Rubisco protein compared to conventional dairy protein?
A5: According to Leaft Foods' modelling, producing Rubisco protein directly from leafy crops has a 10x lower carbon footprint per hectare than conventional dairy protein.
Q6: How does Leaft Foods' model allow farmers to diversify their land use into plant protein production?
A6: The company's model intentionally designs a system that allows farmers to diversify their land use into plant protein production, providing an alternative to traditional farming practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from food production.
Q7: What is the significance of the type of farming in determining the environmental impact of food production?
A7: According to Leaft Foods, most greenhouse gases from food happen on the farm, and only a fraction of the emissions come from processing, transport, and distribution. Therefore, the type of farming makes the most significant difference.
Q8: What is the total investment in Leaft Foods' research and development program?
A8: The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is contributing $8m through its Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, while Leaft Foods is investing $12m, totaling a $20m investment.