附近上门

is tackling the world鈥檚 wasted food problem armed with a $250 million round of new funding and a $1 billion valuation.

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led the new round of funding with participation from , , and , as well as some big stars, including and . With Tuesday鈥檚 new funding round, Santa Barbara, California-based Apeel has , according to 附近上门 data.

Founded in 2012, the company develops rot-reduction coatings for produce available at top food retailers in the United States and Europe. The coatings are plant-derived and double or triple the shelf life of many fruits and vegetables, without needing refrigeration, the company said in a written statement.

This year, Apeel said it is on track to save 20 million pieces of fruit from going to waste at聽 retailers, as well as in homes, where food waste rates are three times as high.

鈥淲e are proud to team up with GIC to help create a better future with less waste,鈥� James Rogers, founder and CEO of Apeel Sciences, said in a written statement. 鈥淔ood waste is an invisible tax imposed on everyone that participates in the food system. Eliminating global food waste can free up $2.6 trillion annually, allowing us to make the food ecosystem better for growers, distributors, retailers, consumers and our planet.鈥�

Apeel鈥檚 news follows another sustainable food startup, San Francisco-based , which said it funding on May 20, led by . The company said the new funds will go toward improving the food supply chain.

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