UPSIDE Foods to Host ‘Freedom of Food’ Miami Pop-Up Ahead of Florida's Cultivated Meat Ban

BERKELEY, Calif. — With Florida's impending ban on cultivated meat set to take effect on July 1, UPSIDE Foods, a cultivated meat company, is hosting a one-night “Freedom of Food” pop-up in Miami. The event will feature 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 Foods was the first company to introduce a cultivated meat product to the U.S. market following regulatory clearances from FDA and USDA. UPSIDE said it 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, according to UPSIDE.

On May 1, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1084 into law, criminalizing the production and sale of cultivated meat in Florida.

“Florida is fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals,” DeSantis said when he signed the bill. “Our administration will continue to focus on investing in our local farmers and ranchers, and we will save our beef.”

UPSIDE’s event is being co-hosted with The Brick and Timber Collective, a real estate company with properties in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami.

Details:

• When: Thursday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Miami, Fla. (reach out to media@upsidefoods.com for the address)
• Terms and conditions: Visit upsidefoods.com/freedomoffood for details.

"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 and 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," said 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," said 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."

Visit upsidefoods.com/freedomoffood for event details.