UPSIDE Foods to host Freedom of Food pop-up in Miami ahead of Florida's cultivated meat ban this Thursday

With Florida's impending ban on cultivated meat set to take effect on 1 July 2024, UPSIDE Foods, the cultivated meat company, is hosting a one-night-only pop-up to celebrate the future of food and the importance of food freedom. The event will feature renowned Miami chef, restaurant owner and TV personality, Mika Leon, alongside mixologist Gio Gutierrez. It will be open to the public for free on a first-come, first-served basis, offering Floridians their first and last chance to taste cultivated meat before it's banned in the state.

UPSIDE believes that cultivated meat is an important part of our food future in Miami, Florida, and beyond – and that Floridians should have the right to choose what meat they eat.

Cultivated meat, grown directly from animal cells, has the potential to help meet the world's growing demand for meat in a way that's more safe, humane and sustainable than conventional methods. However, on 1 May 2024, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1084 into law, criminalizing the production and sale of cultivated meat in Florida.

With the clock ticking on the ban, UPSIDE's 'Freedom of Food' pop-up will give Floridians a chance to taste cultivated meat before the ban goes into effect on 1 July. The event is being co-hosted with The Brick and Timber Collective, a leading real estate company with properties in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami.

"We believe that cultivated meat is an essential part of the future of food, and that people should have the right to choose what goes on their plates," said Dr Uma Valeti, CEO & Founder of UPSIDE Foods. "This law disregards food safety experts, limits consumer choice, and stifles American innovation. It's a setback for progress, job creation, and Florida's potential in a new industry. We believe in a future where everyone has access to delicious food options, and this event is our way of showcasing what's possible."

"Having had the opportunity to work with UPSIDE's cultivated chicken, I can attest that their products are delicious," added Chef Mika Leon. "From appearance to aroma and taste, their products provide the same experience you'd expect from chicken. As a chef, I love the idea of preserving the foods we love while using innovation to figure out ways to create a better future of food."

"It's an honor to partner with UPSIDE Foods to introduce cultivated meat to Florida, but it's unfortunate that it's under these circumstances," commented Jesse Feldman, Partner at Brick & Timber Collective. "The state's ban on cultivated meat is short-sighted and damaging to its tech ecosystem. This policy not only affects cultivated meat but also stifles progress in biotech, life sciences, and other innovative industries that can thrive here. Opposing such policies is crucial to protect Florida and Miami as vibrant tech hubs."