Food tech startup Ripple pulls in $30M for faux milk

This alternative milk isn't made from nuts; it's made from split peas. Google and Khosla Ventures are among new investors for the company, which says its milk uses 85 percent less water than almond milk but has eight times the protein. Read more at Upstart...

This sexy ad campaign wants to get you to the farmers market

The Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, which operates farmers markets in the Bay Area, went risque with its newest campaign, which makes oddly shaped fruits and vegetables the star of its ads paired with taglines about sex or dating. Well, that's one way to get people talking about ugly produce and food waste.  Read more at Modern Farmer...

Every 7 years, this health food company gives employees 6 weeks of paid time off to go on adventures

And with no strings attached. A six-to-eight week paid sabbatical is one of the perks for people who have worked at Clif Bar for more than seven years, and more than 100 employees have taken advantage of it. Read more at Yahoo! Finance...

North Folk kelp could become the next big commercial crop

Cornell Cooperative Extension's new pilot program will test how well seaweed—a trending ingredient in the health food maket—can grow in nearby waters. Previous research suggested that farming kelp in the Long Island Sound could generate $47 million in annual sales. Read more at The Suffolk Times...

4 fast-moving trends in food and beverage packaging

Personalization and appealing to the senses are just some of the ways manufacturers and brands are bringing their packaging up to date. Read more at Packaging Digest...