FoodTech Junkies

About 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 (https://sharoncittone.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Sharon Cittone

Category

business · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Aug 2021

Latest episode

17 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

1 of 88 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   17 Dec 2025

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

   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. 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. Together, they explore how ecosystem thinking enables more resilient food production and consumption, the role of upcycling and circular practices, and why building markets, not just solutions, is essential. The episode also dives into the importance of cohesive policies, shared infrastructure, and incentives that support healthier diets, lower emissions, and economic viability across the value chain. This is a candid, systems-level discussion on how we stop working in silos and start building food systems that are resilient, equitable, and fit for the future. About Marjolein Brasz Marjolein Brasz, CEO of Foodvalley, attributes her dynamic career progression to her ability and willingness to embrace discomfort and challenge the norm. After graduating from Erasmus University Rotterdam with a business degree, she ventured into the energy sector, working in traditional oil and gas before transitioning to renewable energy and sustainable materials. Her work experience spans various countries, and her global perspective enhances her ability to adapt and innovate in diverse contexts. Marjolein’s previous roles taught her about systemic work—the idea that changing existing systems requires simultaneous progress in demand and supply. This involves recognizing change agents, fostering entrepreneurship, and navigating non-linear paths. These insights are now at the core of her leadership at Foodvalley, where she drives mission-oriented innovation for a sustainable food system. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to food innovation and systemic change 00:45 Meet Marjolein Brasz: from traditional industries to Foodvalley NL 01:44 The core challenges facing today’s food system 03:53 Why systemic change requires collaboration across sectors 18:48 Consumer awareness, demand, and market dynamics 28:16 Upcycling, circularity, and sustainable practices 30:09 Building consortia to enable food system transition 31:35 Investing in long-term, systemic change 32:01 What startups need from ecosystems to succeed 33:33 Aligning corporate and farmer interests 36:35 The role of policy and incentives 39:18 Reconnecting people with food through education 41:11 Global perspectives on food system transformation 44:16 How big companies can drive meaningful change 50:13 Lightning round: personal insights and reflections 59:17 Final thoughts and future directions This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sharoncittone.substack.com (https://sharoncittone.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   3 Dec 2025

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

   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. 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, and climate-aligned food production. The conversation goes deep into the environmental advantages, the integration of farmers into this emerging value chain, and the realities of bringing a novel food technology to market, from partnerships in Japan and pet nutrition to early consumer products. Ross also offers a rare look at where Rubisco fits into the future of food and how “rewriting photosynthesis” might become one of the century’s most powerful food-system tools. A must-listen for anyone interested in food innovation, climate solutions, and the next frontier of protein. Special Offer: Listeners get 40% off their first order at Leaft Foods. Visit their website at https://www.leaftblade.com/ (https://www.leaftblade.com/) and use the code JUNKIES at checkout. About Ross Milne Ross Milne is the CEO of Leaft Foods, a company on a mission to bring the world's most abundant protein, Rubisco, extracted directly from green leaves, to consumers and food companies across the globe. After leading the development of the breakthrough technology behind Leaft's end-to-end extraction process, Ross is now driving the company's evolution from successful pilot demonstration to true industrial scale, positioning Leaf Rubisco as a high-functioning ingredient for food companies seeking step-change improvements in both functionality and sustainability. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to FoodTech Junkies 00:50 Meet Ross Milne: From factory design to food innovation 02:00 Rethinking plant-based protein through engineering 03:26 What Ross learned inside the global food system 10:10 Understanding Rubisco: The “utopia protein.” 13:03 The breakthrough science that made extraction possible 19:48 How Rubisco reframes plant-based protein 23:14 Farmers, alfalfa, and building a new value chain 28:34 Rethinking photosynthesis for scalable food solutions 28:56 Circularity and environmental impact 30:27 Why leaf-based protein is so resource-efficient 33:41 One Health: Linking nutrition, climate, and ecosystems 35:57 Market traction: Japan, pet food, and early consumer products 43:27 Lessons from bringing novel tech to market 48:04 What a Rubisco-powered future could look like 52:09 Lightning Round: Personal insights and fun moments 57:39 Closing thoughts + where to find us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sharoncittone.substack.com (https://sharoncittone.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   18 Nov 2025

   Trapped IP, Broken Pipelines, and the Studio Changing That

   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 (https://foodfounders.studio/), a Swiss venture studio dedicated to turning Europe’s breakthrough food tech IP into market-ready startups. 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 off-notes in plant protein to the disconnection between science, startups, and Big Food, and how his studio is working to bridge those divides. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or scientist curious about the startup journey, this conversation offers a front-row view into a new way of scaling innovation, one grounded in science but built for real-world impact. Episode Guide 00:00: Intro 01:01: Giacomo’s path from engineering to food innovation 02:49: Taste, texture & affordability: the big foodtech hurdles 10:11: Why venture studios matter, and how this one works 13:21: How corporates & universities fit into the puzzle 21:21: Scientists vs entrepreneurs: roles in startup success 25:05: Lessons from building food tech companies 34:05: Novel ingredients & solving legacy problems 36:01: The FOOD FOUNDERS Studio model 38:10: Mapping real problems with the right partners 41:15: Building and using strong advisory boards 44:49: Fundraising as a venture studio 48:07: Lightning Round: books, bold ideas, and one big wish 57:11: Closing thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sharoncittone.substack.com (https://sharoncittone.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Inside a recent episode

Back to Our Roots: Rebuilding the Local Food Chain

Published 26 Jan 2022 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Right now we're working completely off of solar power that's off of the roof. That powers solar powered pumping that can connect to whatever the water access point happens to be, which moves the water through a filtration system. which moves the water out into the field through drip irrigation lines to make sure that we're really sustaining a good crop all throughout the year and opening up the opportunity to grow different types of crops that may not have been possible with rain-fed agriculture. Inside of the unit, we have a solar-powered cold storage system to make sure that we're keeping all of that precious harvest cool and really extending the shelf life. […]

Who has been a guest on FoodTech Junkies

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Chiara Cecchini
• Zhong Xu
• Nona Yehia
• Siân Yates

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

77

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact FoodTech Junkies

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about FoodTech Junkies