Yoshi Foods

Yoshi Foods is a winner as we address multiple issues: (1) the revalorization of waste streams of vegetables and potato starch; (2) the elimination of single-use packaging by using a starch coating; (3) a nutritious alternative to unhealthy snacks at work. We are a very ambitious team with the perfect backgrounds to take on these global problems. We are also supported and coached by a diverse advisory board to help us address all the challenges we might face.

Our story begins with a mission to reduce food waste and contribute to a more sustainable food system. We noticed that a significant amount of "ugly" vegetables were being thrown away by vegetable processors due to minor fabrication errors. This sparked an idea to utilize these otherwise discarded vegetables and turn them into a delicious and nutritious product.

We saw an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while also creating a new source of income. To achieve this, we needed to overcome the challenge of securing a consistent and predictable supply of these "ugly" vegetables. That's why we reached out to the vegetable industry and established partnerships with organizations such as Flanders' Food and BioEconomy Ventures.

Our focus was then directed toward developing a vegetable soup powder that would not only taste great but also provide a nutritious option for consumers. We also envisioned a future where we could expand our reach and guarantee the quality of our product by developing our own vending machines.

We also realized that marketing and promotion would be key to spreading the word about our product and mission. Our initial strategy was to leverage personal networks and programs in Flanders, but we also had plans to expand our reach through social media advertisements. To secure funding for our venture, we sought support from the Flemish government, FFF, and business angels.

We saw social media as a powerful tool for sharing our vision and process with the world. We wanted to use this channel to inform and inspire others to join us on our mission to create a more sustainable food system. Our business model was designed to be self-sustaining, with any surplus generated from sales being reinvested into research and development for new flavors and green energy initiatives.

Our story ends with the hope of creating a business that not only generates revenue but also makes a positive impact on the environment. We believe that our vegetable soup powder has the potential to change the world, one soup at a time.

At the moment, we do not own any patents as we have not started yet. In the future, we expect to establish our own patent on starch spraying or to use a form of licensing to use this type of technology.

The process of preserving our food product involves two key technologies. Firstly, we utilize a drying technique where we remove water from the vegetable mixture through vaporization. This step ensures the elimination of bacteria and extends the shelf life of the product.

Secondly, we apply a starch coating, which has been identified as a promising technology for food preservation. The powder is transformed into small cubes, then sprayed with a starch coating to provide numerous benefits. The coating offers protection against humidity to avoid contamination of our dry product, reduces waste by eliminating the need for packaging, and adds a thickening effect to improve customer perception.

In addressing the issue of food waste in Belgium, our goal is to eliminate the amount of edible food that goes to waste. This will result in a positive impact on the lives of all citizens.

Our product is aimed at the B2B market, with the aim of offering businesses a solution that provides nutritious benefits to their employees while reducing waste in the workplace.

Furthermore, our product can assist company leaders in their efforts to attract talent. Research has indicated that individuals from the Millennial and Gen Z generations are increasingly seeking employment at companies that prioritize sustainability and the health of their employees.

In addition to its nutritional benefits, our product utilizes a starch coating for packaging. This not only reduces the number of trash bags but also results in lower emissions, providing benefits for everyone.