AUSTIN, Minn., Dec. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced its fourth cohort of 10 Under 20 Food Heroes, recognizing the efforts of young people across the United States who are working to create a more transparent, secure, and sustainable food system. Continue Reading Hormel Foods announces 2025 cohort of 10 Under 20 Food Heroes Hormel Foods 10 Under 20 Food Heroes The program fosters a nationwide network of young changemaker ...

Core Insights - Mars Snacking and Unreasonable Group have welcomed 14 new growth-stage companies into the Unreasonable Food initiative, aimed at building a more sustainable food system [1][3] - The collaboration seeks to address critical challenges in the food supply chain and transform them into unprecedented opportunities for innovation and sustainability [3][4] Company Overview - Mars, Incorporated is a family-owned business valued at approximately $55 billion, with a diverse product portfolio that includes pet care products, high-quality snacks, and food brands [5] - The company operates a global network of veterinary hospitals and diagnostic services, emphasizing its commitment to quality, responsibility, and sustainability [5] Initiative Details - The Unreasonable Food initiative, launched in 2024, focuses on reducing dairy emissions, expanding sustainable ingredient applications, and exploring sustainable color solutions [3][4] - The first cohort of the initiative reported generating nearly $200 million in additional revenue, reducing 140,000 tons of CO₂e emissions, saving 310 million liters of water, and providing safe, nutritious food to up to 24 million people [4] Technological Innovations - The initiative includes various innovative approaches such as genetically engineered crops to produce dairy-like proteins without cows, precision fermentation for animal-free casein, and plant-based sweeteners [6] - Other advancements involve the production of natural color alternatives through fermentation, AI and biotechnology for developing functional plant ingredients, and sustainable protein extraction from plants like lemna [6]