In a world where 30-40% of all food produced is wasted, innovators are leading the charge to transform what many see as waste into additional food and nutritional resources. Upcycling foods is the topic of State of the Plate’s second Environmental Awareness episode. Podcast hosts Rochelle Ripp Schnadt and Brandon Miller talk with Dan Kurzrock, founder and CEO of Upcycled Foods, Inc.
A Homebrewer’s Frustration Leads to Innovation
Dan’s story begins at the age of 19, learning to brew beer. While making beer was a rewarding process, he couldn’t ignore the immense amount of leftover barley malt—around a pound for every six-pack brewed. It felt like wasting perfectly good food, and it was a problem no one seemed to be addressing. His curiosity drove him to investigate alternative uses for the spent grain, which led him to discover a rich history of brewing by-products being repurposed for human consumption.
What started as a small experiment of turning surplus grain into bread for friends evolved into something much bigger. Today, Upcycled Foods, Inc., operates as a business-to-business (B2B) ingredient supplier, specializing in transforming these by-products into commercially viable food ingredients. Their flagship product is a flour-like powder made from barley that retains its high fiber and protein content after the beer-making process. This powder is used to fortify a range of products, from breads to snacks, providing added nutrition and sustainability.
The Consumer Connection: Why Taste Matters
One of the key challenges is how to communicate the value of upcycled foods to consumers. While sustainability is a driving force behind Upcycled Foods, Inc., the taste is what gets people hooked. It’s a critical point—no matter how sustainable a product is, if it doesn’t taste good, consumers won’t buy it.
Another layer to this story is transparency. Dan was part of the team that developed the “Upcycled Certified” standard, a third-party certification that ensures the authenticity of upcycled products and helps consumers trust that the products they’re buying are genuinely reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable food system.
Food Waste: A Shared Responsibility
Everyone can play a role in reducing food waste and buying upcycled food products is just one way to do that. In your own home, Dan suggests simple practices like using the freezer more effectively, meal planning, and properly storing foods like herbs to extend their shelf life.
Next week, State of the Plate’s third Environmental Awareness episode will feature BioFiltro, an international wastewater treatment company powered by worms! BioFiltro’s Chairman of the Board Steve Rowe will share how the natural filtration system removes up to 99% of contaminants within 4 hours.
In case you missed it, listen to our first Environmental Awareness Month episode, Corn Utopia. It features a fascinating conversation about Qore, a company making corn-based products that can be spun into fibers and materials used to make consumer goods.
Episode 019: Eat Beer
In our second Environmental Awareness episode, we talk to Dan Kurzrock, Founder and CEO of Upcycled Foods, Inc., about how they’re helping turn spent grains left over from the beer brewing process into tasty treats you can really eat—a revolutionary idea to take a bite out of food waste and food insecurity. Upcycled Foods, Inc., is a pioneer in rescuing and upcycling nutritious grains desugared naturally in the brewing process. Learn more about their process and growing portfolio of products at UpcycledFoods.com.
C.O.nxt Insight.
Our team of subject matter experts focuses on food and agriculture—farm field to processing to entrée on a plate. We can help you build a new brand, protect an old one or target customers to foster sales. Let’s talk when the time is right to handle your next strategic marketing and communications challenge: Marcy Tessmann, marcy@co-nxt.com.
SHARE THIS STORY
Marcy Tessmann Named 2025 Wisconsin Titan 100
HARTLAND, Wis. (October 30, 2024)—Charleston Orwig, a collective, excitedly shares its president and CEO, Marcy Tessmann, has been named a 2025 Wisconsin Titan 100 by The Titan 100 program.
