An underground hyrdoponic grow op and a grain waste recycling company were among 10 companies awarded grants by Defra yesterday.
Central Stems and PyroGenesys were awarded £5,000 after making a pitch at the Food Innovation Network, with a total of £50,000 distributed to micro and small to medium sized businesses hoping to innovate the food industry.
Central Stems, located under Glasgow’s Central Station, are trialling food production that combines hydroponics and natural composting to address the issue of food waste and agricultural emissions. located under Glasgow’s Central Station.
Based in Birmingham, PyroGenesys uses bread waste and used grains from breweries for cattle feed to identify if it can boost milk production, while decreasing emissions from cows.
Congratulating the winners, Food and Farming Minister George Eustice said:
“Innovation is key to ensuring Britain’s successful food and drink industry continues to grow, which is why it was great to see such an exciting display of ingenuity from smaller businesses – who often do not have the same research resources available to them as larger companies.”
The Food Innovation Network, which is sponsored by Defra, connects food producers across the country with facilities and laboratories to help create new products and production methods.
