What GFI’s State of Alternative Proteins Reports Reveals about Global Access, Awareness, and Education

The Good Food Institute's “State of Alternative Proteins 2024” and its visual brief reveal a pivotal moment in the global journey toward more sustainable food systems. With an increase in scientific research, product innovation, and public interest, the question is, how well is the public informed and ready for alternative proteins?

"The way we produce meat today is unsustainable. We need education, policy change, and public support to bring alternative proteins into the mainstream where they can make the most impact," says President of GFI, Bruce Friedrich.

Global Awareness: A Patchwork of Progress

Public understanding of cultivated and alternative proteins varies widely across regions, highlighting the need for tailored educational initiatives:

These figures underscore a need for culturally relevant education campaigns and wider curriculum integration at every level of the education system.

Beyond consumer awareness, governmental engagement plays a crucial role in shaping the alternative protein landscape:

• India: The BioE3 policy emphasizes biomanufacturing, including "smart protein," as a focus area for economic growth and sustainability. The Good Food Institute

• Israel: The Higher Education Council announced a five-year, $125 million investment in climate-focused research, explicitly incorporating alternative proteins into the funding scheme. The Good Food Institute

• The United States: Florida passed a bill to ban cultivated meat, with a carveout allowing research and development to continue. The Good Food Institute

• Singapore: The Islamic Council (MUIS) issued a ruling deeming cultivated meat permissible for consumption, potentially influencing acceptance among nearly two billion Muslims worldwide. The Good Food Institute

  
  

These developments reflect a growing recognition of alternative proteins, their potential, and the importance of supportive policies to integrate them into global food systems.

Noteworthy Global Developments: Facts That Shape the Future

The following key facts from the reports highlight where public interest meets economic momentum:

• From 2024 State of Alternative Proteins

  Nearly 50% of U.S. and European consumers are open to trying precision fermentation-enabled products. This reflects a readiness for change despite a limited understanding of precision fermentation.

• From Plant-based meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, and ingredients

  In 2024, 26 new or expanded plant-based production facilities were launched in countries including France, Canada, Spain, Vienna, Ireland, and New Zealand. This global spread shows scalable solutions in motion.

• From Fermentation for meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, and ingredients

  The fermentation industry attracted $651 million in private investment and $510 million in public funding, a clear indicator of market confidence and government interest.

• From Public investment in alternative proteins to feed a growing world

  Alternative protein development is estimated to generate up to 9.8 million jobs and contribute $1 trillion in economic value worldwide. These figures support the case for national strategies that align job training and innovation with sustainability.

Public Investment

To successfully integrate alternative proteins into national food systems, supportive government policies are necessary. According to The Good Food Institute's 2024 State of Alternative Proteins 2024 report, governments worldwide are adopting proactive strategies to fund research, support commercialization, and establish regulatory frameworks for novel protein sources.

Key highlights include:

• European Union: The EU included alternative proteins as a strategic investment priority in its Horizon Europe program, emphasizing innovation-driven food security.

• South Korea: The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries launched a $6 million program to develop cultivated seafood and improve cellular aquaculture infrastructure.

• Australia: Announced a $12 million investment to support fermentation-based alternative protein production and to build local capabilities.

• United Kingdom: The government is funding the development of cultivated meat through its Alternative Proteins Association and associated research institutions.

• Japan: Continued integrating alternative proteins in its Green Food System Strategy as part of national efforts to address food sustainability and climate targets.

These developments showcase a growing acceptance of alternative proteins, with governments recognizing that alternative proteins can contribute to economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and nutritional security, while encouraging public education and cross-sector collaboration.

Education as a Catalyst for Change

While many consumers are open to new food technologies, openness alone doesn't ensure understanding. In regions with low awareness of alternative proteins, a lack of accurate and accessible information could slow adoption. Bridging this knowledge gap requires educational efforts tailored to diverse cultural and regional contexts.

Public schools are uniquely positioned to provide equitable access to this knowledge. Informed students are empowered students, and early exposure to this topic creates a foundation for critical thinking about the science and ethics of food. Incorporating this topic into STEM subjects not only introduces students to new and exciting technology but also ensures that young people are equipped to understand and evaluate their options in our rapidly changing food system. 

To address this need, the Educated Choices Program offers unique, ready-to-use resources, including videos and lesson plans, to help teachers integrate food technology education into their classrooms. These materials are designed to fit into existing curricula. The organization’s “Food Innovation Series,” created with the Good Food Institute, explores the science, production, and evolution of cultivated, fermented, and plant-based proteins.

“What is Cultivated Meat?”

“What is Cow-Free Dairy?” 

“What is Plant-Based Meat?” 

Product Accessibility

Beyond awareness, accessibility remains a hurdle. A product may not be adopted if it isn't available, affordable, or trusted. Policy frameworks, investments, and equitable distribution strategies are needed to ensure that alternative proteins don't remain niche and instead become a widespread solution for global food security.

The 2024 data makes one thing clear: momentum is not enough. Fundamental transformation depends on how widely knowledge is shared and how equitably access is expanded. The future of alternative proteins depends on more than production; it requires informed communities and meaningful public engagement.