Food Security is National Security: Why Nations are Supporting Alternative Protein Innovation

The interdependence between food security and national security is undeniable.

Disruptions in global food supply chains pose serious risks to national resilience, and highlight the need for alternative protein R&D and commercialisation to become a top national priority.

These smart proteins present a ground-breaking solution. By investing in technologies like precision fermentation and cultivated meat, governments can mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities, reduce dependency on imported goods, and create more sustainable food systems. These innovations also ensure that nations can remain competitive and self-sufficient in an era of increasing global uncertainty.

For Synthesis Capital (”Synthesis”) and others in the alternative protein ecosystem, one thing is clear: nations across the globe must act. Alternative proteins can help us build a safe food system for future generations, one that can withstand the pressures of modern warfare, pandemics and environmental crises.[1] By doubling down on these proteins, we can turn this vision into reality.

At Synthesis, we believe that the landscape of global security is evolving, and so is what sustains it—because food security is national security.

The Evolution of Military Rations

“An army marches on its stomach” — attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte and Frederick the Great.

Historical military doctrines remind us that the strength of an army lies in its ability to feed itself, and by extension the resilience of its supply chains, a principle at the core of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). After all, victory is won not in miles but in meals.

In the summer of 1898, an American soldier sat on a dock in Tampa Bay, Florida, rummaging through his pack for something to eat. He was one amongst thousands of troops waiting to board a ship bound for Cuba, where war had broken out between the United States and Spain.

As the soldier opened a tin labelled “beef”, he was greeted by a sight that made his stomach churn. Despite this being part of the Army’s standard rations kit, the soldier grimaced at the top layer of “meat” that was coated in greasy, unappetising slime.[2] As the soldier smelt the sharp, chemical odour that wafted from the tin, a tall, imposing Colonel approached. The Colonel asked the soldier what was wrong.

“I can’t eat this canned meat”, the man complained.

Irritated, the Colonel replied: “You shouldn’t have come to war. Eat the food.”

Reluctantly, the soldier obeyed, taking a hesitant bite. Within moments, he doubled over and vomited over the dock. The Colonel, intrigued, decided to try some of the meat himself. He spat it out immediately, grimacing at the taste. Colonel Teddy Roosevelt, who would later become U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, had to admit, the soldier's complaint was justified.[2] This meat, which would soon scandalise the country with its new name of “embalmed beef”, was not fit for consumption.[3]

The United States has come a long way since those grim days of questionable rations. Advances in food science, logistics, and supply chain management have transformed the way the U.S. military nourishes its troops. Today’s combat rations are meticulously engineered for both nutrition and practicality, designed to sustain soldiers in some of the most extreme conditions on earth.

But as we face new challenges—climate change, global supply chain vulnerabilities, and the growing demand for sustainable food systems—the lessons from history remain relevant. Just as the U.S. Army in 1898 grappled with the limitations of its resources, modern military forces must now navigate the complexities of feeding soldiers efficiently while ensuring national security. To do this, nations must find a way to remain competitive and self-sufficient in evolving protein markets.

This is where alternative proteins enter the story. The same innovative spirit that addressed food security in the past, now drives U.S. government agencies like the DOD to invest in cutting-edge food technologies. From plant-based solutions, to precision fermentation and cultivated meat, these advancements promise not only to improve soldier nutrition but also to fortify supply chains against global challenges.[5]

The journey from “embalmed beef” to cultivated meat may seem worlds apart, but at its heart, there lies a common goal: to ensure the health and resilience of those who serve us.

Alt-Protein Innovation in the U.S. Military

On the 10th of July 2024, the Synthesis team huddled closely around a monitor screen in their London office. It was official. The DOD had just announced its first award under the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP). Debut Biotechnology, a San Diego-based company, had just received $2 million in non-dilutive funding.[6] This award marked an important step—the first of many—in demonstrating the program’s commitment toward securing future-proof supply chains.

Fast forward to September 13th, and cheers could be heard from the inside of 4 Manchester Street, London. The Synthesis team were celebrating that Savor Foods, a Synthesis portfolio company that is transforming non-traditional feedstocks into dietary fats, had been awarded $1.5 million.[7] Just a month later, on November 14th, the same cheers could be heard as Perfect Day, another Synthesis portfolio company that is producing whey protein with fermentation, was awarded $1.24 million.[8]

This November date marked the end of the first phase of DBIMP investment at a total of 34 awards worth over $60 million. What’s more, proposals from Savor Foods, Perfect Day, and the other 32 awardees, would now be eligible to receive follow-on “build” awards providing each access to up to $100 million.

To understand why the DOD is awarding this non-dilutive funding, we must return to 2022, when President Biden signed Executive Order 14081 on “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy”.[9] Food—and by extension alternative proteins—is at the core of Executive Order 14081, alongside four other ‘F’s’: fuel, fitness, fabrication and firepower. By funding these ‘F’s’, the U.S. military aims to improve food security, achieve climate and energy goals, secure supply chains, and grow the American economy.

Through these grants, companies like Savor Foods and Perfect Day are laying the foundations for a future where civilians and soldiers alike benefit from sustainable, resilient food systems.

“The next industrial revolution will be a biomanufacturing revolution. DOD is keenly aware of that reality,” says Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.[8]

As plans take shape, the significance of these investments becomes clear. This isn’t just about building new facilities, it’s about fortifying national security, driving innovation, and redefining the way we think about food.

From the Synthesis office in London, to labs across the United States, the energy is electric. The next industrial revolution—one powered by biotechnology and biomanufacturing—is here. And with each milestone reached, visionary founders are proving that the future of alternative proteins is a reality in the making, quite literally.

A Valuable Resource for U.S.-Based Companies

The DBMIP is just one piece of a much larger puzzle—a network of U.S. federal initiatives fuelling the growth of the alternative protein sector. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), and BioMADE are examples of other programs providing essential funding for research and development in alternative proteins, and supporting the U.S. bioeconomy more generally by investing in biomanufacturing and food production initiatives.

This array of sources can make navigating the landscape of non-dilutive funding opportunities a challenge. While there are a number of grants available, the U.S. government has yet to create a centralised hub for companies innovating in alternative proteins to explore available funding. This is one of the recommendations Synthesis made when submitting our Request for Information (RFI) to U.S. Congress on its role in the bioeconomy last year. Until this happens, the Good Food Institute (GFI) has stepped up to the challenge and taken on this ambitious task. GFI’s resource, “U.S. government resources for alternative protein companies”, tracks open federal funding opportunities for companies in the space, including government loans, manufacturing grants and tax incentives.[10]

We encourage all U.S.-based companies driving innovation in alternative proteins to subscribe to GFI’s newsletter on U.S. public funding opportunities, and submit relevant solicitations.[10]

Looking Ahead

A shifting food system isn’t a question of “if”, but “when”

This is about more than feeding troops. As governments invest in alternative proteins, the ripple effects extend beyond the battlefield, all the way into space.[11] Yet, despite their huge potential to enhance national security, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) recently withdrew its call for funding applications to develop cultivated meat for military rations, highlighting the tension between traditional interests and emerging innovations.[12] Meanwhile, other countries around the globe, including China, Israel and Singapore, are rapidly advancing their alt-protein capabilities. If the U.S. is to maintain its leadership in both technology and security, alternative proteins must receive renewed attention and funding.

A Strategic Opportunity for Political Leaders

As we reflect on the U.S. presidential inauguration of January 20th, it is clear to us that alternative proteins offer a unique opportunity for political leaders to achieve key objectives. Championing innovation in this sector will:

• Strengthen economies by advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation.
• Reduce reliance on foreign imports and fortify supply chains against global disruptions.
• Drive technological leadership in an area that offers both national security and economic benefits.

By championing alternative protein innovation, political leaders can deliver on their promises while also carving out a leadership role in the global bioeconomy.

A Call for Global Action

From the grim rations of 1898 to the revolutionary strides in alternative proteins today, the evolution of food systems underscores a fundamental truth: food security is national security. It’s not just about feeding people—it’s about ensuring stability, resilience, and prosperity in an unpredictable world.

At Synthesis Capital, we understand the stakes. We see our planet burning; and that is precisely why we are committed to advancing alternative proteins: because they offer solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time. These innovations strengthen supply chains, reduce our environmental impact, and expand access to sustainable, nutritious food—building a foundation for a more secure and equitable future, for all.

By investing in precision fermentation, cultivated meat, and other groundbreaking technologies, we’re not just imagining a better world; we’re actively working to create it. Together with visionary founders and forward-thinking governments, we are turning a bold vision into reality.

Because the future of national security begins with the food on our plates—and the future of food starts here.

Sources

1. Good Food Institute (2024) - Alternative protein innovation bolsters national security. Available at: https://gfi.org/resource/alternative-protein-innovation-bolsters-national-security/
2. Morris, Edmund (1979) - The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt.
3. Keuchel, E. F. (1974). Chemicals and Meat: The Embalmed Beef Scandal of the Spanish-American War. Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 48(2), 249–264. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/44447546
4. Political cartoon, The evening world (New York, N.Y.) June 9, 1906, Final Results Edition, Page 3, Image 3. Chronicling America. Available at: https://chroniclingamerica.loc...
5. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (2023) - DOD Biomanufacturing Strategy. Available at: https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Biomanufacturing-Strategy.pdf
6. U.S. Department of Defense (2024) - DOD Announces First Award for the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program. Available at: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3833529/dod-announces-first-award-for-the-distributed-bioindustrial-manufacturing-progr/
7. U.S. Department of Defense (2024) - DOD Releases 12 Awards for Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program. Available at: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3904890/dod-releases-12-awards-for-distributed-bioindustrial-manufacturing-program/
8. U.S. Department of Defense (2024) - DOD Releases Final Nine Awards for Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program. Available at: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3965368/dod-releases-final-nine-awards-for-distributed-bioindustrial-manufacturing-prog/
9. The White House (2022) - Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/09/12/executive-order-on-advancing-biotechnology-and-biomanufacturing-innovation-for-a-sustainable-safe-and-secure-american-bioeconomy/
10. Good Food Institute (2024) - U.S. government resources for alternative protein companies. Available at: https://gfi.org/resource/public-funding-for-alternative-protein-commercialization/
11. U.S. Department of Defense (2024) - Notice of Funding Availability-Covered Technology Categories-Equipment Financing. Available at: **https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-22229
12. Green Queen (2024) - US Government Revokes Funding Call for Military Cultivated Meat Scheme After Lobby Pressure. Available at: https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/us-government-department-of-defence-lab-grown-meat-military-ncba/