Meet Braelyn Davis | CEO and co-founder, Planet Based Foods

We had the good fortune of connecting with Braelyn Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Braelyn, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Planet Based Foods is on a mission to establish hemp as a nutrient-dense plant protein source that can feed the world sustainably for generations to come. We’re the first and only company to make delicious, better-for-you plant-based meats with hemp as the number-one ingredient. We spent six years perfecting our innovative line of hemp-based foods because we believe hemp has incredible potential to support a healthy planet and healthy people.
To feed a growing population that is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, we need to do more than eat less meat. We need to utilize plant food sources that deliver real nutrition, while also addressing soil erosion, water shortages and climate change. Enter our star ingredient: hemp. A nutritional powerhouse, hemp seed provides more nutrients and protein than most legumes, plant-based meats and grains. It is one of few plant sources of complete protein, offering all nine essential amino acids. Hemp seed also is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with a healthy ratio of omega 3-6-9s. The sustainability bonafides for hemp are equally impressive. Hemp requires less water, regenerates the soil it’s grown in and filters carbon dioxide from our air. It can also grow in hotter temperatures — making it an ideal crop to thrive in the face of climate change.

Through our line of plant-based meats and comfort foods, we’re making it easy for consumers to lead with their values in the grocery aisle and choose an option that’s good for them, and good for the planet.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Planet Based Foods is a sustainable food brand dedicated to fueling people and the planet. We’re proud to be the first and only company to feature superfood hemp seed as the number-one ingredient in our frozen line of plant-based meats and convenience foods. Through our 100% vegan burgers, breakfast sausages, crumbles and taquitos, we’ve pioneered new options for consumers who want what they eat to meet a higher standard for nutrition and sustainability. Our products are made exclusively with clean, non-GMO ingredients and never contain soy, a common allergen. They taste great too.
We perfected the flavor and texture of our hemp-based meats based on real diner feedback at Stout Burgers & Beers locations in Los Angeles, where our burger is one of the most popular plant-based menu items. We’re continuing to develop innovative ways to serve up hemp in a range of grab-and-go foods, and will be launching in other grocery chains over the next six months. You can currently find our products online at planetbasedfoods.com and Amazon.com — and in-store at New Seasons Markets and New Leaf Community Markets.

While hemp has become more popular in protein powders or as a salad topper, not many people know that hemp is a true superfood. It’s one of the only plant sources of complete protein, and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. I like to think of hemp as nature’s multivitamin – it’s a great source of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium and vitamins D and E. The mix of hemp seed, pea protein and brown rice in Planet Based Foods’ products supports performance in daily life, and athletic training. Our Original Burger packs 21g protein, 6g fiber and omega-3 fats, while also providing complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.

Beyond nutrition, hemp is one of the world’s most sustainable crops. We believe hemp is a climate hero because it requires less water, regenerates soil, and sequesters more carbon than trees. What’s more, every single part of the plant can be used to address challenges in industries ranging from food to clothing to building. Hemp hurd is being used to plug methane gas leaks created by abandoned oil wells. Hemp fiber is being used to create insulation that makes buildings more energy efficient while also storing carbon. Hemp is also being used to create sustainable paper and clothing. We’re proud to be part of a movement to embrace hemp as a win-win for consumers, farmers and the planet.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The greater San Diego area has so much to offer. I’d start with early morning snorkeling in La Jolla cove. The cove is spectacular, and there’s a shallow inlet where you can see clear to the sand below. It’s a great place to spot sea turtles.
After working up an appetite, head to Little Italy for lunch at Cafe Gratitude. One of the early pioneers in the plant-based restaurant movement, the cafe features a variety of delicious and innovative plant-based items. I love that they’ve stayed true to their mission of creating a healthier, more vibrant world by inviting people into the simple pleasures of clean, plant-based nutrition. You can follow lunch with a stroll through Little Italy with its charming shops and restaurants.

For a great day or overnight trip filled with natural splendor, drive to Mount Laguna – about an hour east of Alpine. As the mountains surround you, you feel like you’re miles away from Southern California. There’s actually snow in the winter. If you’re a stargazer, there’s a beautiful meadow where you can capture some amazing night photography.

Being a health nut, I’d round things out with a visit to LIVV Natural, a cutting-edge naturopathic wellness facility. It’s a beautiful setting, and their doctors work with you to investigate and optimize your health. I’m a huge fan of the IV drip to feel my best.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shout out my father, Robert Davis, who is a food scientist and sustainability warrior. Growing up, we’d have dinner table conversations about the need to find better ways to feed the planet. These chats inspired me in my quest to find solutions to major food system challenges. Now, we’re collaborators on Planet Based Foods. As the company’s Chief Innovation Officer, Robert has played a vital role in developing our hemp-based food line.

Website: planetbasedfoods.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planetbasedfoods/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/planetbasedfoods/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlanetBFoods

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/planetbasedfoods

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7t3HxG6s05H6DI7P8Asfkw

Image Credits
Photo courtesy of Planet Based Foods.