Tyler Lorenzen, PURIS: Local sourcing, transparency
Tyler Lorenzen, president & CEO, PURIS: Local sourcing is an issue that is top of mind at PURIS, and something that needs to be addressed industry-wide. For every pound of pea protein sourced from PURIS vs. from China for example, we can avoid the emissions equivalent of driving 1,200 miles. With domestic sourcing, we're also able to verify manufacturing claims, especially those around organic standards.
The industry needs both low cost and environmentally friendly practices, but it's not possible to have both with the way the food system operates today. Consumers and food makers alike have been making smarter choices nutritionally, and we see 2021 as the year to prioritize environmental impact by accounting for the true cost of food, with local sourcing as an immediate priority.
Collectively, we're eating more whole foods as well as incorporating more plant-based packaged food into our diets. These are steps in the right direction towards a more sustainable food future. What comes next is heightened scrutiny and consumer education on food transparency, including ingredients and sourcing, and overall environmental impact — areas that PURIS is actively working to address.
