Aleph Farms: Cultivating a solution to climate change and food insecurity
Meat consumption is a key driver of climate change. Between land use, livestock maintenance, and transportation, the meat and dairy industry is responsible for 11-20% of human-produced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. (1) As the human population expands, so will the climate effects of its collective diet.
Israel-based Aleph Farms offers a solution with Aleph Cuts, the world’s first cultivated beef steaks created with cutting-edge cellular agriculture innovation. This new way of growing animal proteins and fats products directly from cells supports a transition to a more sustainable agriculture with fewer, better-managed animals. This approach reflects a holistic vision of secure food systems, addressing critical challenges in food security and resilience for future generations.
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Aleph Farms
Learn more about Aleph FarmsThe environmental impact of meat production
Meat production has been steadily growing over the last half century (2), and with the global population on track to add an additional 2 billion people by the end of the century (3), the demand for meat and dairy will only increase. That will result in further greenhouse gas admissions, greater land used for livestock, and continued reliance on a global transportation network that wreaks havoc on the ecosystem.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), beef production makes up 41% of the total livestock-related GHG admissions, with cattle milk adding an additional 20% (4). As such, cultivated meat products like those of Aleph Farms have the potential to dramatically curb one of the main engines of human-caused climate change.
Cultivating a new diet
Aleph Farms creates their cultivated meat by growing cells from a premium Black Angus cow called Lucy and ‘bombing’ them with plant proteins, resulting in a juicy and tender thin-cut steak. Aleph Cuts include animal fat, muscle, and collagen alongside plant products. Unlike tofu and seitan, Aleph Cuts provide the experience of conventional beef, all while potentially reducing GHG emissions by 92%. (5)
The company has grown to more than 70 employees since initially sharing their proof-of-concept in 2018. That year, they were selected to be among the second group of EIT Food's RisingFoodStars programme.
Aleph Farms has closed Series A and B funding rounds and raised more than US$140 million since 2018.
"Collaborating with EIT Food has not only amplified our mission at Aleph Farms but also fostered invaluable connections and partnerships that have propelled innovation across the cultivated meat ecosystem. Europe must remain at the forefront of the future of food, and it is our responsibility to invite all stakeholders, especially livestock farmers, to engage in an honest dialogue about what embracing progress means for the co-existence of cellular agriculture alongside sustainable animal agriculture."
Aleph Farms is just getting started
In the long term, Aleph Farms’ vision extends beyond crafting thin cuts of cultivated beef. They are also developing thicker, fattier cuts of cultivated beef and plan to expand their product line to include other types of animal protein, such as lamb and fish. Aleph Farms also leverages cellular agriculture to grow biomaterials, and in 2022 they introduced their cultivated collagen to the world. They are currently exploring potential applications for their collagen in collaboration with partners in the medical field.
"At Aleph Farms, our journey has been driven by unwavering dedication and determination to make the world a better place. We collaborate closely with our ecosystem partners to shape the future of food as part of a just and inclusive transition toward sustainable food systems. Our strategy is laser-focused on executing a de-risked and capital-efficient approach to scale up our biomanufacturing platform, reduce costs, and prepare for the imminent launch of Aleph Cuts in Israel and Singapore. Our team works tirelessly to achieve our mission, maintaining agility, focus, and an unwavering commitment to our vision."
The future of meat consumption
Cultivated meat has been approved in various major markets, including the United States (6) and Israel (7). It is still awaiting EU regulatory approval. As European markets open to cultivated meat innovations, companies like Aleph Farms are sure to be among the first to introduce cultivated meat at restaurants and supermarkets. Furthermore, Aleph Farms’ expansive vision positions them to be at the forefront of the bioeconomy across multiple industries.
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References
- The Breakthrough Institute: Livestock Don’t Contribute 14.5% of… | The Breakthrough Institute
- Our World in Data: Meat and Dairy Production - Our World in Data
- United Nations: Population | United Nations
- FAO: openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/492bb0b2-8b73-4e49-b188-8176b1d8c711/content
- Aleph Farms: Aleph-Farms-Impact-Report-2022.pdf
- Lab-Grown Meat Approved for Sale: What You Need to Know | Scientific American
- Aleph Farms: Israel Grants World's First Regulatory Approval for Cultured Beef
