Austin Food Lab Challenge

Highlights from the food-related competition with a vision for the future.

By Scarlett R. Smith

The Food Lab at the University of Texas played host to the first-ever Food Challenge Prize on Feb. 14. The Food Lab Challenge Prize was established last year by the university to promote innovation in the global food industry. During the past 13 weeks, teams of finalists have been collaborating with mentors of industry leaders in preparation for the final round of competition, in which a total of $30,000 in grand prizes was awarded.

The event took place throughout the day at the Norman Hackerman Building on campus. Attendees enjoyed food and drinks from some of Austin’s most promising food innovators, as well as food provided by popular Austin businesses Whole Foods Market and Easy Tiger. It was the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day, sampling delicious food—there was no shortage of chocolate—while learning about new enterprises that will shape the way we grow and consume food in the future.

Twenty-one teams participated in the showcase, with each presenting their comprehensive business plan to a crowd of industry experts, potential funders and the general public. Initiatives ranged from product inventions and foodstuffs to sustainable systems and practices, as well as technological innovations as they pertain to the production, transportation and packaging of food.

The winner and our top team picks from Saturday:

1. Ten Acre Organics: The Ten Acre Organics team won first place in the Food Lab Challenge, taking home the $10,000 grand prize. Austin Natives Michael Hanan and Lloyd Minick first experimented with growing with aquaponics in greenhouses in their own backyard, and soon discovered the efficiency and high productivity of such a small plot of land. Their mission is to create a high-tech, sustainable farm model that can be replicated in any city throughout the world, requiring less water, land, labor and overall resources than traditional agriculture.

2. Cramen Team: Billed as the “nutrition of the future,” Cramen is a variety of low-cost spice blends that enhance the nutritional content of any food. Made from a mixture of cricket flour, algae powder and other assorted spices for flavor, Cramen resembles a dark brown paste that can easily be added to any dish. The group believes their product can curb malnutrition in areas such as India, Thailand and Zimbabwe, where poverty rates are high. The low cost and prospect for immediate application in today’s world make Cramen a top pick.

3. Go Fresh! Products: Nearly a third of all fruits and vegetables Americans buy go to waste, often spoiling soon after being purchased. The Go Fresh! team designed and produced a line of home products that aid in food preservation so produce remains fresh longer and less is wasted. Go Fresh! Stick-ups, bowls, hangers and on-the-go squares work to extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables in the home.