According to the World Health Organisation, 80% of deaths from chronic diseases are impacted by poor diet. Sadly, affordability continues to be a key barrier to accessing healthy fruit and vegetables across the globe as the cost of living escalates.“Food prescription” programs address this by giving financially disadvantaged healthcare patients debit card-based aid to buy healthy food from everyday shopping outlets. The idea is at the centre of initiatives across the US and the UK, and its efficacy is backed up by research from The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW, Sydney.https://www.wundermanthompson.com/insight/food-as-medicine

Two outcomes of the pandemic – the growth of remote work and a hard-hit hospitality industry – inspired the founders of Third Place to create an online marketplace that connects remote and hybrid workers with “work-friendly” hospitality venues where they can eat, drink, and connect with colleagues and the community.Third Place aims to revitalise the hospitality industry and provide better options for remote work by promoting cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels that have all the essentials for productivity, like free Wi-Fi and power outlets, and a comfortable and inspiring atmosphere. Individual and team passes and packages are available.https://third-place.org/

Subscription meat delivery service Our Cow is making a positive impact on over 150 Australian farmers and providing families with sustainable, ethical and tasty meat at a fair price. With the mission of harnessing community support for drought and flood-affected producers, the company provides a fair set price to farmers and supplies customers with high-quality grass-fed beef and lamb, organic chicken, and free-range pork. Our Cow has attracted top talent to its board and leadership and recently completed a successful capital raise through the equity crowdfunding platform Birchal. https://www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au/news/our-cow-attracts-major-talent

Monash University students have created Wonki, a conscious alcoholic seltzer brand that uses irregularly shaped fruit that would otherwise go to landfill. In addition to tapping into the growing seltzer trend, the product also ticks an important environmental box. It’s the first of its kind in Australia to be sourced entirely from fruit and to successfully preserve the fruit during the manufacturing process. With 5% alcohol content, Wonki comes in fully-recyclable packaging, and flavours change seasonally. Wonki is up for pre-sale on crowdfunding platform Pozible, with the aim of raising AUD 30,000 by 14 April 2023.https://www.wonki.com.au/