A new installation launching at Kew Gardens’ Food Forever summer programme, is set to shine a light on the heightened environmental benefits of microbial, meat-free protein, compared to chicken and other animal rearing. The Can You Spot The Difference? Exhibit, part of Future Food Stories, supported by Quorn, aims to provide an interactive way for the public to learn how small changes to eating habits can make a big difference towards a healthier planet.
The exhibit follows the process from farm to fork of a traditional chicken nugget, versus a nugget produced from a microbial protein. A recent scientific study published in the journal, Nature, found that swapping 20% of beef for microbial proteins could halve deforestation over three decades.
The exhibit will shed light on why almost four times as much land is required to produce a chicken nugget. Quorn mycoprotein uses far less land, as it doesn’t involve livestock, but starts with fermentation of a microscopic fungus (Fusarium venenatum) that grows naturally in the soil.
Future Food Stories, is one of four major new art installations at Kew Gardens as part of Food Forever summer programme. The program highlights a selection of everyday food staples which are becoming increasingly insecure because of our changing planet, created by innovative design duo Sharp & Sour. This series of interactive installations will also showcase crops, ingredients, and innovations which could help to futureproof our diets for years to come.
Andrew Edlin, Head of Sustainability at Quorn Foods, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of such a rich programme at Kew this summer, which we hope will provoke much thought amongst visitors as to the vast benefits of plant and fungi based foods, and the incredible contribution they stand to make in safeguarding our planet and our health. There has never been a more important time to have a national conversation about what the future of food should look like, and that's why Quorn has chosen to support the brilliant Future Food Stories as part of Food Forever at Kew."
Paul Denton, Head of Visitor Programmes and Exhibitions at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said, “It’s never been more important for us to reflect upon and change our approach to food consumption and production. Food Forever will allow visitors to Kew Gardens a wonderful opportunity to engage with food in a completely fresh and exciting way - learning more about how the positive choices which we make for our own health and wellbeing also support the health and wellbeing of the planet which we share.”
The Food Forever programme runs from Saturday 21 May – Sunday 18 September 2022.
