Contact
  • HOME
  • / MEDIA /
  • Three Cal Students Launch Plant-Based, Sushi-Grade Tuna to Pave the Way for Seafood Sustainability

Stories

July 30, 2023

SHARE:

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident today. This is why three visionary individuals came together to address one pressing issue: the unsustainable practices in our food system, particularly regarding seafood.

Kelly Pan, Adrian Miranda, and Stephanie Claudino Daffara, the founders of Impact Food, combined their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to create a positive impact.

Driven by a shared passion for food innovation and ocean sustainability, they embarked on a journey to revolutionize the concept of seafood. Through meticulous research and cutting-edge technology, by studying the composition of animal-based seafood and leveraging their knowledge in food science and molecular biology, they developed their first product, Impact Tuna.

With Impact Food, Kelly, Adrian, and Stephanie strive to redefine the way we approach food. By choosing plant-based seafood, individuals not only enjoy a delectable culinary experience but also contribute to a healthier future for our planet, our oceans, and ourselves.

Read through as we learn more about the remarkable journey of Impact Food and its founders, Kelly, Adrian, and Stephanie, through an exclusive interview with Asian Hustle Network.

IMPACT FOOD’S DYNAMIC FOUNDER TRIO

In January 2020, we met while studying at UC Berkeley in renowned scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Ricardo San Martin’s Alternative Meat Challenge Lab, a product-design-based entrepreneurship course that examines how food is made and why alternative meats are a key solution to creating a more sustainable food system.

A passionate foodie-business student (Kelly), a vegan home chef-computer science student (Stephanie), and a scientist-biochemistry student (Adrian) found each other and decided to combine their fields of expertise to work towards a shared passion for food innovation and ocean sustainability. 

REDEFINING SEAFOOD SUSTAINABILITY

We were inspired by the innovative solutions we saw in terrestrial meat products like beef and chicken, and the science behind creating them. As we brainstormed in class for a protein alternative that could become the center of the plate, we realized that seafood was a wide white space in dire need of new solutions.

With an ever increasing global population, the conventional seafood industry (e.g. commercial fishing and aquaculture) continues to overfish and deplete our oceans but is still unable to keep up with rising seafood demand. 90% of fish stocks have been used up, and we’re rapidly losing biodiversity and destroying marine ecosystems which support all life on our planet, so we need to take action now before it is too late.

This is when we knew we were on a mission to reimagine a more sustainable food system through delicious and nutritious seafood created using plants and scientific innovation. Through Impact Food, we would be able to do our part in alleviating pressure on our oceans and transform our global food system to be better for our people, planet, and animals.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IN PLANT-BASED SEAFOOD INNOVATION

At Impact Food, one of our core values is “Delicious Innovation” – to always develop the tastiest, high-quality food.

All seafood species have a very unique, complex taste and texture profile, so we knew that it would be challenging to recreate the sensory experience of conventional seafood. To overcome the challenge of developing realistic seafood texture, we focused heavily on R&D and consulted with industry experts from chefs to scientists and seafood purveyors to truly understand the composition of fish. This knowledge combined with a lot of experimentation allowed us to match the subtle ocean flavor, nutritional profile, and delicate texture of species like bluefin tuna.

Another challenge we faced was scaling our proprietary seafood texturization technology. We were very fortunate to bring on a talented bioprocess engineer last fall, who helped us scale our process and significantly accelerate our commercialization timeline.

IMPACT FOOD’S UNIQUE SEAFOOD PRODUCTION PROCESS

The process of making our first flagship product (raw sushi-grade Impact Tuna) began with extensively studying the scientific composition of seafood and developing a proprietary production process using plants and biotechnology.

Our novel food technology platform relies on our unique texturization process that optimizes and transforms our seafood base (a blend of plant ingredients such as pea protein, algae, & vegetable juice) into a whole-muscle structured seafood product.

In addition to completely removing animal fish from the seafood supply chain, our plant-based seafood is a more sustainable food choice that can always be consistently supplied with exceptional quality. Due to supply chain volatility, the quality and pricing of animal-based seafood products are constantly in a state of uncertainty and harm the entire food system. 

Therefore, we developed a craveable, true replacement for sushi-grade tuna with under 10 plant ingredients and a longer shelf life than conventional tuna. Our product is also high in omega 3, protein, fiber, and potassium with none of the negative consequences such as overfishing and mercury contamination.

IMPACT FOOD’S EFFORTS IN RAISING AWARENESS

Since food is a very social and cultural experience, we realized that we needed to collaborate with the food service industry to reinvent the seafood consumption experience while remaining authentic to traditional cuisines.

Restaurants, chefs, and cafeterias (e.g. corporate and college campuses) play a critical role in introducing customers to new culinary experiences, encouraging trial, and familiarizing them with plant-based seafood and its benefits. By adding these sustainable options to their menus, they are also able to influence a wider audience and drive market demand for seafood alternatives.

Recently, we launched Impact Tuna in Southern California at Pokeworks and became the first fish-free seafood ever offered at the world’s leading poke chain with 65+ locations across the US and internationally. Pioneering this novel dining experience with Pokeworks is a major step for us in creating large-scale demand for sustainable eating and bringing plant-based seafood to the masses.

In addition to our food service partnerships, we also utilize channels such as social media to raise awareness about the benefits of plant-based seafood. Although we only sell our plant-based seafood ingredients to food service, we still prioritize connecting with end consumers via the visual and informational content we share on channels such as Instagram and TikTok.

Recent media coverage about the unsustainable and inhumane practices involved in commercial fishing such as the Seaspiracy documentary has also been immensely helpful in generating awareness about an obscure and complex seafood industry.

SCALING WITH QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CARE

We have begun commercial production and are currently building out our own manufacturing pilot plant to ensure high-quality control and consistency of our food innovations.

Because our proprietary process can use standard equipment that is traditionally used in other industries, we can reach price parity with conventional seafood and scale to high volumes very quickly. We are continuously investing our resources into R&D and optimizing our supply chain so that we can constantly innovate, and maintain product quality while scaling our production.

To meet increasing market demand while ensuring the quality and sustainability of our products as we scale in the US and soon internationally, we are also building strategic partnerships with and collaborating with other companies (e.g. foodservice distributors, suppliers, restaurants, startups, etc.) to strengthen the ecosystem for sustainable protein solutions. Together, we’ll be able to develop and scale products with better taste, texture, and nutritional value.

IMPACT FOOD’S FUTURE OF DELICIOUS PLANT-BASED SEAFOOD

Our primary driver at Impact Food is to make a positive global impact by creating a future of food that can sustainably feed the world while protecting our oceans and marine life.

We strive to create a global impact and movement of consumers eating more consciously and sustainably. To do this, we need to make our innovations available and accessible everywhere our consumers eat, around the globe.

Today, we’re excited to continue scaling our production, onboard more food service partners, and expand distribution to major markets for seafood such as Japan. Our goal is to reconstruct the center of the plate with a new, tastier whole-muscle seafood experience that is healthier for you and the planet without harming any animals.

Impact Tuna is just the beginning, and we’re excited to leverage our seafood technology platform to expand our product pipeline and recreate various other seafood species using plants. Stay tuna’ed and join us on our voyage to revolutionize the global seafood system. 

CONNECT WITH IMPACT FOOD

Website: eatimpactfood.com

Linkedin: Impact Food

Tiktok: @eatimpactfood

Instagram: @eatimpactfood

Facebook: Impact Food

Twitter: @eatimpactfood

Related Articles

William Wang's

News

The Story Behind VIZIO Founder William Wang’s Lifetime Achievement Award

This October, William Wang was honored with Lifetime Achievement at the 75th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards. As the founder of VIZIO, Wang has revolutionized the television industry, shattering the cost-related concerns about whether quality and pricing can go hand in hand. From a Taiwanese immigrant to a trailblazer, his journey is one of innovation and persistence.

Humble Beginnings and Pursuit of the American Dream

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, William Wang immigrated to the United States as a teenager with his family. Settling in Southern California, cultural barriers arose as a major problem for an immigrant teenager like Wang. However, his persistence shone through: he excelled academically, leading him to pursue engineering at the University of Southern California (USC).

Image Soure: VIZIO

After graduation, Wang was on his way to materializing his dream: starting a company in the tech industry. Yet, he failed multiple times, draining his resources and budget. However, each failure gave him the opportunities and lessons to grow his entrepreneurial endeavors.

The Turning Point: A Life-Altering Experience

But life comes with unheralded events. In 2000, the Singapore Airlines Flight 006 that he was on encountered a crash, and he was one of the few survivors of that fatal incident.

This disastrous event completely altered his outlook on life: he became more grateful for his relationships and the comfort they provide, such as families spending cozy time together watching TV. This newfound perspective catalyzed his entrepreneurial shift into his next venture, fostering an idea that would transform the consumer electronics market. He envisioned a future where the gap between top-tier technology and affordability disappeared—a vision that soon became VIZIO. In 2002, he launched VIZIO. 

By 2007, just five years after its founding, VIZIO had become the top-selling LCD TV brand in the United States—a monumental achievement in an industry dominated by global giants like Sony and Samsung.

Wang’s Humble Reflections on the Achievement

William Wang's
William Wang (center) with his family at the 75th Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards. (Image Source: VIZIO)

When receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Emmy Awards, he couldn’t help but feel emotional about his near-death-inspired vision. At that moment, his survivor’s guilt had driven him to enrich lives, saying, “My life has been dedicated to bringing great technology to consumers in America.” As influential as he is, he expressed his gratitude for his team, stating, “This recognition is also a testament to the incredible team at VIZIO – it is our lifetime achievement. Together, we’ve challenged the status quo and have created new possibilities for the future of television. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for the journey ahead as we continue to push the boundaries of technology and entertainment.”

Featured Image Source: VIZIO

  • 3 min read
2be9dbfe-8170-4a3a-8ef1-f1dd8a946db5 (1)-jpg

News

AHN and AHNF Celebrate Milestones with California Senate and Assembly Recognition

As an acknowledgment of Asian Hustle Network (AHN)’s contribution to the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community, the California State Senate has extended its appreciation for AHN’s extraordinary efforts in fostering innovation and unity. Since its founding in 2019, AHN has continued to support and uplift the API community.

This year was a rewarding and progressive year for AHN, with numerous events and projects in the pipeline to build and strengthen the community while inspiring the next generation of future API leaders. 

One of the highlights was having our executive director Tristan Paule, and the AHN organization honored with a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate and Assembly for successfully hosting the 2024 Bloom and Harvest Market in San Jose, CA. In partnership with SHOPLINE, Flora Haven, and Hot Boi Chili Oil, the event truly aligns with our vision, creating a vibrant marketplace for local AAPI vendors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and influencers. 

In addition, we want to extend our gratitude to those who have contributed to the event’s success:

Community Partners and Sponsors

@nestleusa, @yelpbayarea, @yelpsiliconvalley, @drinklunar, @banhmioven_ca, @andy_nguyen_photography, @lovemeknots_bridal, @varoundtable, @aodaifestival.sj, @vietsteps, @steph.eatsntravels, @amberkimv, @angelinahong_

Retail Vendors

@daesignstudio, @behabbi, @oyucosmetics, @shop_farols, @thebillyguan, @muzmak.official, @ajarofpickles_, @jhcandleco, @thehungryslothco

Prepackaged Goods

@chartruffles, @thepategirl, @thisisbabas.house, @bonjerksnacks, @nokkifarm, @drinklivingflora, @drinknarra, @hotboichilioil, @helladacbiet, @myjinka

Food & Drink

@nhathecafe, @_hetsay_

Beer Garden

@matchpointbrewing

As we look back on this incredible month, we are grateful for the support and excited for what’s coming. Thank you to the local legislation for believing in and enforcing our mission. 

  • 2 min read
Interior-Chinatown-e1729570164214

News

Jimmy O. Yang Finally Wins the First Lead Role in Charles Yu’s “Interior Chinatown”

After years of working at odd jobs, Yang has found his first lead role and left Yu knocked back in tears during his audition.

A Lemon. The $1,500 Toyota Corolla with no power windows, a busted side door, and poor brakes is what Jimmy O. Yang rode around Los Angeles to prepare for his role as Willis Wu, an overlooked Asian American everyman in the series “Interior Chinatown.” 

The result? “Pull over, call whoever got you in here. If you can’t, you gotta go…” A rude remark from the studio’s guard as Yang recalled in a Zoom with the Los Angeles Times (LA Times) even though he was No.1 on the call sheet. 

The experience reminded Yang of his life story as a Hong Kong immigrant moving to the United States. Yang stated in the interview, “Willis’ journey is such a metaphor for the Asian American experience because we are the model minority, but at the same time we are invisible. People talk about Black and white, but where do we fall? You’re just not seen for who you are.” In an article by SCMP, the actor-writer-comedian further exemplifies, “Willis laments feeling like a background actor in someone else’s story and longs to be in the spotlight, but that’s hard if you look like me.”

At the age of 13, Yang relocated to Los Angeles feeling the intense culture shock. “My goal was to just assimilate so I don’t get made fun of,” Yang recalled. In the school’s locker room, he was mocked for wearing whities instead of boxers. During 8th grade, his peers had mustaches and dunked basketballs while he barely hit puberty. Using a fake address, he enrolled in Beverly Hills High School and immersed himself in American pop culture. Unable to rap, Yang learned to incorporate his violin into the hip-hop beats he made through a software named Fruity Loops.

Despite his parents’ harsh opposition, Yang acknowledges, “I don’t think they were, like, anti-art by any means. My dad probably wishes he could have been an actor or a musician. It just truly wasn’t a real job for him. He wanted me to be financially stable, and not be homeless.” Yang started working at a string of odd jobs from selling used cars to DJing at strip clubs. Stand-up comedy, which Yang has now become notorious for besides acting, became his informal acting, writing, and directing school. 

Persistent in his passion, Yang landed small speaking roles in series like “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” where he was misunderstood as a background actor for his ethnicity, and “Silicon Valley,” originally a one-off guest role or a one-note cliché. Yang’s fame finally came in Crazy Rich Asians. Yang claims, “If I botched an audition, I never blamed the fact that they weren’t looking for an Asian actor. It didn’t deter me. But looking back, we had very limited opportunities. Since ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ I think there’s more.” The success has made Yang’s father, Richard Ouyang, proud – even helping him with commercial and acting gigs with his son. 

The series “Interior Chinatown” became an immediate connection to Yang. According to the LA Times, Charles Yu, creator of the series which was adapted from his National Book Award-winning novel of the same name, was inspired by, “people who have these backstories, but they don’t get to tell those stories”. He was astonished by Yang’s performance as he felt a connection between Yang’s multicultural background, multilingualism, and his natural ability for acting. 

Despite the grueling six months of shooting, doing comedy, drama, and Kung Fu every week, Yang happily states, “It was very grueling. But of course, it’s a beautiful story worth telling.” At the end of the day, whether it is for better or worse, Yang’s days of being a sidekick are finally over.

Featured Image Source: Mike Taing from The Wrap

  • 4 min read
240909_AHN Stories (1)-png

Stories

Dr. Tiffany Moon on Empowering Women Through LeadHer Summit

Do you ever feel like you’re juggling a hundred things at once—your career, family, personal goals—and wonder how to keep it all together?

Dr. Tiffany Moon knows exactly what that’s like. As a mother, doctor, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s empowerment, she has mastered the art of balancing multiple roles without losing sight of her passions. Not only did she figure out how to manage all these roles, but she’s also thriving in each of them.

Driven by her love for creativity and her desire to inspire others, Dr. Moon ventured into entrepreneurship, launching Aromasthesia Candles and Three Moons Wine. Most recently, she founded LeadHer Summit, a leadership conference designed to uplift and empower women from all different professional backgrounds.

Here’s how Dr. Moon is redefining success by finding joy in balancing her work, passions, and family—while staying true to her authentic self:

The Heart Behind Her Success

Dr. Tiffany Moon’s journey to success was deeply influenced by her immigrant parents, whose sacrifices fueled her ambition. Watching them work tirelessly to create a better life for their family shaped her determination to thrive—not just for herself, but for her twin daughters.

“I saw firsthand the struggles they faced, and I knew I wanted to create a better life for myself and my children,” she reflects.

Driven by this desire, Dr. Moon achieved remarkable milestones early on. By 19, she had graduated from Cornell University, and by 23, she completed medical school, quickly establishing herself as a respected anesthesiologist. However, her goals extended beyond her medical career. She also stepped into entrepreneurship to show her daughters that women can lead, build businesses, and create their own opportunities without sacrificing joy.

“I want my daughters to know that they don’t have to give up parts of themselves to fit into a box others might create for them,” Dr. Moon explains. “Being true to who they are is the most powerful way to lead and succeed.”

Navigating Challenges and Finding Her True Self

Like many of us, Dr. Moon faced pressures to meet the expectations placed on her, both by society and herself. As a first-generation Chinese American, she felt the weight of cultural norms that pushed her to be the perfect daughter, doctor, wife, and mother. This constant striving for perfection left her feeling exhausted and burnt out.

It wasn’t until she took a step back that she realized something needed to change. Through therapy, self-reflection, and surrounding herself with supportive mentors, Dr. Moon learned to let go of the need for perfection and embrace her true self. She began to prioritize her own well-being, and in doing so, she found a sense of freedom and joy that had been missing.

“It was a long process, but it’s something I now advocate for, especially with other women who feel like they have to do it all.“

In her book, Joy Prescriptions, Dr. Moon shares her journey of overcoming perfectionism and embracing vulnerability and authenticity, inspiring others to follow a similar path.

Turning Passion Into Purpose

Beyond medicine, Dr. Moon’s entrepreneurial spirit has flourished. She’s combined her love for creativity and her professional knowledge to launch two successful businesses: Aromasthesia Candles, a line of candles inspired by her medical career, and Three Moons Wine, which she started with her husband. Both ventures reflect her belief that you don’t have to limit yourself or strive for perfection—you can embrace all the different facets of who you are and explore them fully.

But perhaps her most meaningful venture is the LeadHer Summit, a leadership conference dedicated to empowering women across various industries. 

The LeadHer Summit 2024, set to take place from November 8 to 10 at the JW Marriott in Dallas, TX, is designed to inspire women to connect, grow, and take bold steps in their careers and personal lives. 

The 3-day event features keynote sessions, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions led by 25 expert speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to build meaningful connections through networking opportunities and celebrate in style at the exclusive Glam Gala.

For more information, visit leadhersummit.com

Creating a Legacy for the Next Generation

At the heart of everything Dr. Moon does is her desire to leave a positive legacy for her twin daughters. She wants them to grow up knowing they can chase their dreams and still be true to who they are.

For Dr. Moon, success isn’t about sacrificing joy but about finding purpose in everything you do. Through her own life, she’s inspiring women everywhere to embrace authenticity and live fearlessly, showing that it’s possible to lead with both heart and ambition.

Connect with Dr. Tiffany Moon

Instagram: @leadhersummit @tiffanymoonmd
TikTok: @tiffanymoonmd
Facebook: Tiffany Moon, MD
LinkedIn: Tiffany Moon, MD, FASA

  • 4 min read