The 2024 Grow-NY Summit, held at the Ithaca Conference Center in beautiful Ithaca, NY, brought together the most innovative minds in food, beverage, and agriculture. As a 2022 finalist, Sweet Pea Kitchen was proud to return, showcasing our boutique co-packing services and connecting with emerging leaders in the industry. This year's event was a testament to the power of collaboration and groundbreaking ideas, supporting transformative solutions for the future of food.

Celebrating the Winners

A special congratulations to the 2024 Grow-NY winners who are pushing the boundaries of agricultural innovation:

Grand Prize Winner:

• Unibaio, for their naturally derived particles that enhance pesticide and fertilizer efficiency.

Second Place Winners:

• UdderWays, with their patented brushless technology ensuring optimal cow stimulation and clean milking, and
• PureNanoTech, developing membrane nanobubble solutions for optimized irrigation and sustainable water treatment.

Third Place Winners:

• Clean Crop, innovating with safe, preservative-free pathogen removal for higher crop yields,
• For Bitter, For Worse, crafting non-alcoholic cocktails from organic, local ingredients,
• Zordi, harnessing robotics and AI for autonomous greenhouse farming, and
• ClearLeaf, offering eco-friendly fungicides and bactericides.

 

Spotlight on Plant-Powered Finalists

It was inspiring to meet fellow plant-based innovators like:

• Bon AppeSweet, creating delicious, date-sweetened chocolate treats,
• Cajou Creamery, making cashew-based superfood ice creams,
• Meala Foodtech, transforming plant-based food textures with clean ingredients, and
• Holmes Mouthwatering, delighting with elevated, all-natural applesauce.

 

Key Moments and Takeaways

Beyond celebrating these achievements, we observed thought-provoking panels on scaling sustainability in Food & Ag and reducing food waste. A standout takeaway? The critical role of meal planning and mindful eating in minimizing waste—something Sweet Pea supports through our meal prep services and new compostable packaging for eco-conscious dining.

It was also great to see our friends at Agency29, who showcased their valuable services and expertise in Food & Ag marketing. Their ongoing commitment to supporting the industry aligns perfectly with Sweet Pea's vision of sustainable growth.

For those who weren’t able to attend the summit or tune into the livestream, check out our Grow-NY series on Shelling Peas to learn more about finalists like ClearLeaf, Meala Foodtech, and Holmes Mouthwatering. Plus, don’t miss our conversations with Jenn Smith from Cornell's Center for Regional Economic Advancement and Maureen Ballatori of Agency29 for deeper insights into the world of agri-food innovation.

Interested in sustainable, mindful meals? Check out our A La Carte menu and discover how our meal prep services can help you lead a healthier lifestyle while caring for the planet.

Here's to nurturing innovation and collaborating for a brighter, greener future in food and agriculture!