In California, Chipotle has invested in cultivated oil startup Zero Acre Farms. The fast-casual burrito chain hopes the funds will advance alternatives to deforestation-linked vegetable oils and boost its ESG cred.
Zero Acre Farms is developing a process to manufacture cooking oils via fermentation. “We have a clear mission: to remove destructive vegetable oils from the food system,” Zero Acre Farms cofounder and COO Jeff Noobs tells vegconomist. “Our dream is for everyone everywhere in the world to be able to enjoy the foods they love without destroying their health or the planet’s. Fat makes food delicious, and delicious food doesn’t have to be unhealthy or unsustainable. There’s a better way.”
In February 2022, Zero Acre raised $37 million in an oversubscribed Series A round that included funds from Robert Downey Jr.’s FootPrint Coalition Ventures.