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At a moment of slowdown for the alternative protein industry, Nigel Sizer, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Good Food Institute (GFI), says there is “no elephant in the room” that the sector is missing — only that transforming the global food system “takes time and money.” In an interview with AgFunderNews, he shared an optimistic outlook on the challenges ahead and the role of government and science in building a sustainable protein future.
Sizer — former president of Rainforest Alliance and ex-director at the World Resources Institute — took over leadership of GFI in August with a mission to reinvigorate a sector struggling with capital scarcity, investor skepticism, and shifting consumer expectations. Yet, his assessment is hopeful:
“The demand is there. If products can match the flavor and price that consumers expect, there’s a clear path to winning a place on their plates,” he told AgFunderNews.
He acknowledged that the early hype around plant-based meats and cell-cultured or fermentation-based dairy created unrealistic expectations. But, he emphasized, food transitions don’t happen overnight. “What gives me the most hope is how quickly the science is advancing,” he said.
Debate continues about whether there is genuine long-term demand for alternative proteins. According to Sizer, GFI research shows that nearly one in five U.S. consumers and one in two in Germany are already reducing or eliminating traditional meat. Furthermore, three out of four Americans aged 18–59 are open to incorporating plant-based options into their diets.
“Taste and price are critical, but so is health. Plant-based proteins are seen as healthier — lower in saturated fat, free from antibiotics and hormones,” he explained.
Sizer argued that communicating the nutritional value — including high protein and fiber content — is key to broadening adoption. Messages focused solely on sustainability or animal welfare, while important, aren’t the main drivers of purchase decisions. “The focus should be on making products that people genuinely want to buy,” he stressed.
A major obstacle for the sector is the lack of private capital. After record investment between 2019 and 2021, funding fell sharply as markets cooled and investor attention shifted toward artificial intelligence.
Sizer believes this makes government involvement essential. “Scaling alternative proteins — especially in biomanufacturing — requires sustained, long-term investment. Governments need to attract and de-risk private capital,” he said.
He noted that some progress is underway, with more public R&D funding flowing into the space. Yet, a major scale-up is still needed. “Governments are beginning to link protein diversification to broader goals — food security, employment, farmer support, and public health,” he added.
Sizer argued that alternative proteins should be integrated into national bioeconomy strategies, receiving similar incentives to other high-impact sectors. “Investing in alternative proteins isn’t just about the environment; it also strengthens supply chains and local economies,” he said.
Among Sizer’s top priorities is boosting public investment in open-access research, comparable to what drove progress in renewable energy or public health. “History shows that major technological breakthroughs happen when the public sector funds basic science and development,” he explained.
He also wants to coordinate efforts between governments, investors, and companies, improving data sharing and funding mechanisms that accelerate industrial scaling. “GFI’s role is to connect ecosystem players, facilitate knowledge flow, and promote financing models that enable sustainable growth,” he noted.
Ultimately, his goal is to ensure that both public and private investors see the opportunity and impact in building a more resilient, sustainable protein system.
In the United States, alternative proteins have become a flashpoint in political debates. Some states have attempted to ban or restrict plant-based or cultivated meat products under pressure from the meat lobby.
Sizer, however, believes the issue transcends partisan divides. “These innovations strengthen national security, expand consumer choice, and create jobs — values that resonate across the political spectrum,” he said.
He pointed out that lawmakers in traditionally conservative states have rejected proposed bans, prioritizing free-market competition. “GFI’s mission is to ensure alternative proteins compete on a level playing field. It should be consumers — not politicians — deciding what ends up on their plates,” he stated.
Despite financial headwinds, Sizer is enthusiastic about scientific advances in fermentation and cultivated protein. “Fermentation is one of the most dynamic areas today, with tremendous potential to improve flavor, nutrition, and sustainability at once,” he said.
During the AgFunderNews interview, he mentioned that he recently tried lab-grown salmon, describing it as “incredible.” In his own life, he said, plant-based alternatives are a regular part of his family’s diet.
For Sizer, the speed of scientific progress is the best reason for optimism. “We’re starting to see real momentum in the science — and that gives me hope,” he concluded.
Sizer recognizes that changing the global food system won’t happen overnight. Yet, he insists the transition toward alternative proteins is inevitable, driven by innovation, economics, and consumer awareness.
“The key is to focus on making products that people love and can afford, while scaling the science that makes that possible,” he said.
For the new GFI leader, the path forward is clear: stronger collaboration, smarter investment, and a science-led approach that brings sustainability to the center of everyday eating habits.
