Does LA's City Council Embrace of Plant-Based Meats Have Any Teeth?

Amrita Khalid
Amrita Khalid is a tech journalist based in Los Angeles, and has written for Quartz, The Daily Dot, Engadget, Inc. Magazine and number of other publications. She got her start in Washington, D.C., covering Congress for CQ-Roll Call. You can send tips or pitches to amrita@dot.la or reach out to her on Twitter at @askhalid.
Does LA's City Council Embrace of Plant-Based Meats Have Any Teeth?
Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash

Los Angeles could soon be the largest U.S. city to sign an international pact to shift to a more plant-based food system. This week, the L.A. City Council voted in support of adopting the Plant Based Treaty, a grassroots campaign that calls for government to promote alternative proteins, and vegetarian diets in a shift away from the meat and dairy industries. If adopted, the treaty could be a boost to the plant-based food industry, which has seen a considerable dip in sales this year, primarily due to the growing uncertainty over the environmental benefits of plant-based proteins and more price-conscious consumers.


Still, it’s unclear what steps Los Angeles will actually take to comply with the treaty, which calls for subsidies on fruits and vegetables, a tax on meats and introducing plant-based meal plans in schools and prisons, among other policy measures. The resolution — which was introduced by Council member Paul Koretz (a noted advocate of plant-based foods) — still needs to be signed by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti.

“This landmark resolution marks a vital cultural shift as Americans prioritize both combating climate change and improving their health,” said Koretz in a press release.

dot.LA has reached out to Koretz and a number of other L.A. City Council members for comment, and will update if we hear back.

If adopted, the city will promise to follow the principles outlined in the treaty, which are abstractly entitled “Relinquish”, “Redirect” and “Restore.” The aim is to shift populations away from relying on animal agriculture, increase public awareness of plant-based proteins and restore ecosystems. The treaty also includes more concrete measures like a ban on building new animal farms, slaughterhouses, fish farms and all live exports. While it’s difficult to imagine that L.A. will adopt the Plant Based Treaty’s more hard-line measures, ostensibly, the idea is that by merely signing the treaty, it could encourage the city to do more to promote the plant-based industry.

The City Council’s vote comes in a year of numerous setbacks for the plant-based food industry: Sales of refrigerated plant-based meats at stores are down 10.5% by volume for the 52-week period that concluded on September 4, 2022. In addition, last week alternative protein company Beyond Meat announced it was laying off 200 employees, and will likely lay off more workers by the end of the year. Inflation is likely to be a chief cause of the dip in sales for the alternative meat industry, with fewer people willing to pay extra for higher-priced plant-based options.

Which is to say, if consumers are to embrace plant-based foods again, Los Angeles and the meatless food industry at large have some serious work to do.

https://twitter.com/askhalid
LA Tech Week 2024: Monday’s Event Lineup
tech-week

LA Tech Week 2024 kicks off on Monday, October 14, with a packed schedule of events spread across Los Angeles. This opening day offers founders, investors, creatives, and tech enthusiasts endless opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate. From early morning fitness sessions to afternoon workshops and evening socials, Monday’s diverse programming sets the stage for an impactful week. Below is the schedule organized by location, so you can easily find the events that match your goals and availability.

BEVERLY HILLS

7:00 AM

Andrew Yeung, Blindspot

8:00 AM

Scrappy

9:00 AM

TechWalk, Qapita

12:00 PM

VCPE GROUPS, Entrepreneur.VC

2:00 PM

  • Future of Farming: AI and Indigenous Collaboration for a Sustainable Food System : See Details Here

Celebration Nation Inc

7:00 PM

LightDAO, Mission Matters

CENTURY CITY

6:00 PM

  • KOSME-LAVA Demo Day (Invite Only)

Los Angeles Venture Association

CULVER CITY

9:00 AM

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Intersections LA

1:00 PM

  • Networking for Underrepresented Founders - Optimize your networking savviness, and have fun along the way : See Details Here

AWS Startups

2:30 PM

AWS

3:00 PM

Family Offices Investors Summit, Sandbox, Soulbound, KIKI, Babylon Voice, CryptoHQ Fund

DTLA

7:00 AM

  • Tech Runs (Invite Only)

Crosscourt

EL SEGUNDO

6:00 PM

Stonegardens Advisory, Demand Signal Ventures

HOLLYWOOD

2:00 PM

  • Brand Positioning + Content Strategy Workshop (Invite Only)

Alpha Wolves Media

6:00 PM

LaFamilia Foundation (VCFamilia), Pivotal Ventures

INGLEWOOD

6:30 PM

  • UCLA Anderson Elevating Voices: A Pitch Competition & Networking Opportunity :See Details Here

Westwood

LONG BEACH

11:30 AM

Starburst Aerospace, Ampaire, Auriga Space, Long Beach Accelerator, Rebel Space, Sunset Ventures, Emerging LA

MALIBU

5:00 PM

Sunstone, Pepperdine University

6:00 PM

Wilshire Lane Capital

MAR VISTA

3:30 PM

Uthana

MARINA DEL REY

3:00 PM

USC, Information Sciences Institute

MID CITY

10:00 AM

The Growth Club

PASADENA

1:00 PM

Emerging LA, Sunset Ventures

5:00 PM

AI LA

PLAYA DEL REY

8:00 AM

AI LA

SANTA MONICA

7:00 AM

PitchandRunLA, Global Venture Network

8:00 AM

Fortify Ventures

8:30 AM

Ganas Ventures

9:00 AM

Tech Breakfast Club

A16z

10:00 AM

Clutch Talent

  • Santa Monica Innovation Hub: Technology Street Fair on Ocean Avenue :See Details Here

City of Santa Monica, StartupStarter, Inc., Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM)

  • Sip & Scale (Invite Only)

AMP Beauty

10:30 AM

Socialtrait Inc

11:00 AM

Mucker Capital, LeadrPro, JP Morgan, K&L Gates

12:00 PM

Global Venture Network, GS1US, The FutureList, FusionAuth

1:00 PM

Cherry Hill Advisory, Crescent

1:30 PM

Charlie Financial, Aprime Technology

4:00 PM

Nathan Family Office

Artium AI, Freeplay, Silicon Valley Bank

Sidebar Summit, Redwood Collective

4:30 PM

HIRECLOUT

5:00 PM

Los Angeles Fun Events

Orbis86

6:00 PM

ImaginingForward

PowerYou AI

Musa Capital

Hustle Fund

VCPE Groups, Entrepreneur Ventures

Hive

A16z

Tech Pitch Roast Comedy LLC

Human To Human

7:00 PM

Verve, M13, Stifel, WSGR

Frances Mendez, Ryan Edwards

VENICE

7:00 AM

Bankless Ventures

Powerful Stuff, Drybaby

8:00 AM

J.P. Morgan Startup Banking Team - LA

9:00 AM

Google

10:15 AM

Open Venture Capital, Empowered Yoga Venice, Oya Femtech Apparel, Wellness Growth Ventures

12:00 PM

J.P. Morgan Innovation Economy Team - LA

Crypto Mondays, Continuum, Female Funders Club

4:00 PM

J.P. Morgan, WICIF, MCJ

6:00 PM

Product Manager Association of Los Angeles

6:30 PM

HITMKR Inc., The Bushido Group, Mission Matters

VIRTUAL

8:30 AM

Clutch Talent

WESTLAKE VILLAGE

11:00 AM

Hub 101, Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, California Lutheran University

WESTSIDE

3:00 PM

MaC Venture Capital

  • Speaker Panel: Leveling the playing field - Removing the barriers to entry for developers :See Details Here

Elemental Computing Inc.

Each session provides unique opportunities to gain insights, network, and explore various fields of tech innovation. For updates or more event information, visit theofficial Tech Week calendar. Enjoy the start of LA Tech Week 2024!


Download the dot.LA App

OpenAI's $6.6B Power Play: The Future of AI Just Got a Massive Boost 💰🚀
Image Source: Open AI - Sam Altman

🔦 Spotlight

OpenAI is making some exciting moves! The company just completed a massive $6.6 billion funding round, pushing its valuation to an impressive $157 billion. Thrive Capital led the charge, with big names like Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund also joining in. This investment will allow OpenAI to further scale its operations and advance AI technologies like GPT-4 across various sectors such as healthcare, entertainment, and business.

But that’s not the only exciting news. OpenAI has also secured an additional$1 billion credit facility, giving the company even more financial flexibility to execute its ambitious growth plans. This safety net ensures that OpenAI has the resources to scale safely and effectively while continuing to lead the AI space.

AI is becoming integral to industries worldwide, and OpenAI’s products—like ChatGPT—are seeing rapid adoption. From education to enterprise solutions, the company is driving significant advancements in how AI is integrated into everyday life.

Following Microsoft’s $10 billion investment earlier this year, this latest round underscores the market’s confidence in OpenAI’s potential. With its strong focus on responsible AI deployment and ethical scaling, the company is set to shape the future of AI in a way that benefits a broad range of industries and addresses global challenges.

As AI evolves, OpenAI remains dedicated to pushing boundaries while ensuring that its innovations prioritize safety, scalability, and social impact. Keep an eye on this space—big things are on the horizon!


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Impulse Space, a Redondo Beach-based company specializing in in-space transportation services, raised $150M in Series B funding led by Founders Fund, bringing its total funding to $225M, to expand its team and advance production of its Helios and Mira vehicles. - learn more
  • Nusano has secured over $115M in Series C financing, led by The Wasatch Group, to accelerate the commercialization of its radioisotope production technology, aimed at improving cancer treatment and medical diagnostics. - learn more
  • Future Trash, a multidisciplinary creative studio, has raised a $5M Seed funding round from TIRTA and General Catalyst to develop original intellectual property (IP) within Fortnite, focusing on building unique in-game content and experiences. - learn more
  • XType, the leading software company for multi-instance management on the ServiceNow platform, has raised a $21M Series A funding round led by Norwest Venture Partners to accelerate innovation and expand its platform capabilities on the ServiceNow platform. - learn more
  • 3Laws Robotics, a robotics company focused on building AI-powered platforms to enhance the safety, security, and operational efficiency of robotic systems, has raised a $4.1M Seed funding round led by TenOneTen Ventures. - learn more

LA Venture Funds
  • Watertower Ventures participated in the $8M Series A funding round for DocJuris, a leader in AI-based contract review and negotiation software that automates key tasks to streamline the contract process for enterprise teams and general counsels. - learn more
  • Progression Fund participated in a $3.7M Seed funding round for Permanent, a company focused on advancing sustainable agriculture by developing solutions that improve soil health and productivity. - learn more


LA Exits

  • Loom, an educational community platform that empowers women by providing comprehensive resources on reproductive health, sexual wellness, and parenting education, has been acquired by women's health brand Perelel, marking a significant expansion in the women's health and wellness sector. - learn more

Download the dot.LA App

⚠️📲🌩️ Your Digital Lifeline: Top Tech Apps for Natural Disasters

Living in LA means being ready for anything—quakes, wildfires, crazy weather, you name it. Luckily, there’s a suite of tech apps designed to keep you informed, connected, and safe when disaster strikes. From real-time alerts to staying in touch with loved ones, these apps have you covered. Here’s the ultimate list to help you handle whatever chaos comes your way in LA County.

Get Real-Time Alerts

Image Source: MyRadar

FEMA App
  • What it does: Provides real-time alerts from the National Weather Service, along with shelter and disaster recovery info.
  • Key features: Weather alerts, shelter locator, and preparedness resources.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
MyRadar Weather Radar
  • What it does: Offers real-time, animated radar for tracking severe weather and storms.
  • Key features: Live radar, storm tracking, and severe weather alerts.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
Clime: NOAA Weather Radar
  • What it does: Delivers real-time radar and weather updates, with wildfire and flood tracking.
  • Key features: Customizable weather alerts, disaster tracking.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
American Red Cross Emergency App
  • What it does: Provides real-time alerts for over 35 types of emergencies, plus disaster preparedness tips.
  • Key features: Alerts, safety check-ins, and emergency tips.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
My Earthquake Alerts & Feed
  • What it does: Sends real-time earthquake alerts, with maps and detailed data.
  • Key features: Earthquake alerts, customizable notifications, detailed maps.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
Citizen
  • What it does: Delivers real-time alerts for emergencies, including natural disasters and crime near your location.
  • Key features: Safety alerts, live incident reports, and community updates.
  • Available on:iOS | Android

Stay Connected with Loved Ones

Image Source: Life360

While social media apps like Facebook and X provide real-time updates, additional tools can help with communication and location sharing, ensuring you stay connected and safe.

Nextdoor
  • What it does: Connects neighbors with real-time local updates on emergencies and community events.
  • Key features: Neighborhood alerts, local info, resource sharing.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
WhatsApp
  • What it does: Enables secure messaging, location sharing, and video/voice calls with family and friends.
  • Key features: End-to-end encryption, location sharing, voice/video calls.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
Zello Walkie Talkie
  • What it does: Turns your phone into a push-to-talk walkie-talkie for communication in low-signal areas.
  • Key features: Push-to-talk, works over Wi-Fi/data, group communication.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
Glympse – Share Your Location
  • What it does: Lets users share real-time locations with family and friends without needing an account.
  • Key features: Location sharing, ETA updates, private tracking.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
Life360
  • What it does: Tracks real-time location of family members and provides emergency SOS alerts.
  • Key features: Family location tracking, emergency alerts, crash detection.
  • Available on:iOS | Android

Stay Mobile

Image Source: PlugShare

For navigating road closures and traffic during disasters, Google Maps and Waze are essential tools that offer real-time updates and alternate routes. Along with these go-to options, there are additional apps that can help you stay mobile when it matters most.

GasBuddy
  • What it does: Locates nearby gas stations and provides real-time updates on fuel availability and prices.
  • Key features: Gas station locator, fuel prices, availability checks.
  • Available on:iOS | Android
PlugShare
  • What it does: Provides a comprehensive map of public EV charging stations worldwide. It offers real-time availability, pricing, user reviews, and photos of charging stations, helping you find the best nearby options.
  • Key features: Real-time station availability, detailed station info, user reviews, and trip planning.
  • Available on:iOS | Android

Traditional Preparedness Tips

In addition to these tech apps, it’s crucial to prepare for natural disasters with traditional methods:

  • Build a disaster kit: Gather essential supplies like food, water, first aid supplies, and a flashlight.
  • Develop an evacuation plan: Determine where you will go and how you will get there in case of an emergency.
  • Keep emergency contacts handy: Make a list of important phone numbers.

Maximize Battery Life and Data During Emergencies

During disasters, power outages and increased network traffic can affect your device's battery life and data usage. Consider the following:

  • Keep your devices charged: Use portable or solar-powered chargers to extend battery life.
  • Conserve data: Use Wi-Fi hotspots when available to avoid excessive data charges.

These apps are your go-to tools for staying informed, connected, and ready for anything in Los Angeles County. Whether you need real-time alerts, navigation assistance, or ways to keep in touch with loved ones, having these apps on hand can make all the difference when it matters most.

Download the dot.LA App

RELATEDEDITOR'S PICKS
Trending