Dr. Darren Burke: Revolutionizing Nutrition and Tackling Food Waste Head-On

In the world of food technology, every day presents exciting challenges and opportunities. Amid the complexities, one man stands out as a global leader in the upcycling movement — Dr. Darren Burke. As a science-based entrepreneur committed to plant-based solutions and social impact, he has carved a path to save the planet through Outcast Foods, a company that transforms surplus fruits and vegetables into high-purity, nutrient-dense, and shelf-stable natural health products.

From School Heights to Business Adventures

Dr. Darren Burke started as a university professor with strong skills in sports food nutrition. Not happy with only using his skills in school, he started a business called RIVALUS Inc. Under his control, it became very successful and grew from starting to $20 million each year within five years.

But, Burke’s desire to start businesses didn’t just end there. In 2017, he changed his approach and started focusing on environmentally-friendly technology to tackle the huge problem of food waste. He started Outcast Foods with former NHL player TJ Galiardi in 2018. This business uses special technology and food supply chains to change leftover vegetables into healthy products that help the environment.

Getting Money During a Pandemic Period

Amid the COVID-19 problem, Outcast Foods had money problems that needed a clever answer. Burke remembers when the business had to get money to keep it going and use its new tech in stores. Even though money was hard to get in that year, March of it made a big increase from investors. This shows how powerful the right story can be and being at just the best time with its ideas work well together.

Fearlessness, Balance, and Leadership

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Burke acknowledges the need for fearlessness but emphasizes the importance of balance. His experience with RIVALUS taught him the necessity of building a strong team to avoid burnout. At Outcast, he adopted a different approach, putting a robust leadership team in place as soon as he could to accelerate growth.

Tackling Food Waste: Outcast’s Mission

Outcast Foods is at the forefront of the upcycled food category, turning rejected, misshapen, or slightly overdue produce into sustainable, nutrient-dense powders. The company’s mission is clear — reclaim surplus produce, divert it from landfills, and keep it in the food chain through innovative solutions.

Challenges and Solutions in the Food Industry

Burke sheds light on the obstacles faced by companies in distributing extra or excess food. Lack of interest in changing the way things are done, logistical challenges, and timing issues can hinder efforts to repurpose excess produce. Outcast Foods aims to overcome these challenges by positioning itself as a built-in ‘insurance policy’ and raising awareness about its mission.

Inspiring Change: Education and Conscious Choices

Community, society, and politicians play a crucial role in addressing food waste. Dr. Burke advocates for conscious food choices, proper meal planning, embracing a plant-based diet, shopping locally, and incentivizing businesses to adopt creative ways to divert food waste. Education about the upcycling movement is key to making a meaningful impact without sacrificing food quality or taste.

Advice for Entrepreneurs: Lessons Learned

Drawing from his rich entrepreneurial experience, Dr. Burke shares valuable advice for aspiring business leaders:

• Get a Good Accountant: Proper company structure and accounting setup save time and money in the long run.
• Hire Only When Necessary: Timing is crucial; avoid hiring until the workload justifies it.
• Add Key People Based on Skill Set: Prioritize skills and fit to ensure effective team dynamics.
• Be Careful with Selecting Partners: Ensure compatibility and complementary skill sets for a solid partnership.
• Build on Cash Flow First: Establish a viable business and customer base before bringing in financial partners.

Recognizing Leaders in Food Waste Reduction

Dr. Burke applauds ReFed for its work in identifying and addressing food loss and waste issues. The organization quantifies the problem and provides resources for solutions, contributing significantly to the current challenges of food waste.

Inspiring a Movement: Embrace Veganism and Upcycling

If Dr. Burke could inspire a movement, he envisions a world where more people embrace a plant-based lifestyle and adopt the upcycling movement. Diverting items from landfills should become a global priority, with a focus not just on upcycling but on finding new uses for everything and consuming less.

In the ever-evolving landscape of food technology, Dr. Darren Burke is confident that we will get there as a population and is inspired by those willing to take risks and push through the obstacles involved with commercializing early-stage ideas. It is not easy but the end goal is right and the effort necessary.