New Bill Could Ban Lab-Grown Meat in School Meals + How Smartfood Stands Out in the Popcorn Market

A groundbreaking piece of legislation, the School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024, has been introduced by US Senators Mike Rounds and Jon Tester. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about this proposed bill, which specifically aims to exclude lab-grown meat from the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, thereby preserving traditional meal options for students. Rounds emphasized the importance of relying on high-quality, local beef to nourish students rather than resorting to synthetic alternatives. The introduction of this act sparks a wider discussion on the role of technology in our food systems. As lab-grown meat becomes more commercially viable, its potential advantages come into conflict with safety concerns, cultural acceptance issues and the potential impact on traditional farming practices. The team posits that this bill was introduced far too early and does not consider lab-grown meat’s FDA and USDA approvals.

Also in this episode, Sydney talks about Smartfood Popcorn’s new limited-edition Chocolate Glazed Donut popcorn. This flavor adds to the brand’s collection of limited-time offerings, marking the second donut-flavored popcorn to be introduced following the Krispy Kreme Glazed Donut Popcorn in 2021. More recently, Smartfood introduced a limited-edition Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Flavored popcorn for the 2023 holiday season. Since its inception in 1985, Smartfood Popcorn has provided high-quality, ready-to-eat (RTE) popcorn that doesn’t compromise on flavor. But Smartfood is not without its competitors. Brands like Skinny Pop, Boomchickapop and Lesser Evil continue to make their mark in the RTE popcorn space, which was worth an estimated $3.5 billion in 2022. Smartfood distinguishes itself through a commitment to quality and innovative flavor combinations. The team wonders how Smartfood got its name and discuss the brand strategy behind limited-edition offerings.