The Beyond Burger, a Plant Power plant-based burger that Of course, whether it’s looks, cooks and tastes meat or dairy, the growing like fresh ground beef. health-focused trend involves Austin, Texas-based natuconsumers seeking to eat ral grocer Whole Foods fewer animal-based products Market partnered with Bealtogether. Meg Carlson, yond Meat to be the burger’s president and CEO of Prosperexclusive seller between its fall ity Organic Foods Inc., a Boise, 2016 debut and the end of that Idaho-based manufacturer of plant-based “butyear, stocking the product in both the meat departter,” notes that with 38 percent of households now ment and in the dairy/alternative food section to following “flexitarian” eating regimes, it should be appeal to both carnivores and non-meat-eaters. no surprise that people are growing more interProsperity’s Carlson anticipates that an increasested in healthful fats — specifically plant-based ing interest in ethically, sustainably sourced and ones — as well as plant-based alternatives to minimally processed foods and beverages that deliver traditional animal-based products. multiple nutritional benefits will continue, encouragDairy, for instance, is a major category for planting manufacturers to continue innovation in plantbased alternatives, and Denver-based WhiteWave based alternatives to animal-based foods. But in Foods is one CPG expanding its presence here. Lauthe end, she stresses, it’s up to retailers to give these ren Tankersley, WhiteWave’s director of marketing emerging products the attention and time needed for research, notes that her company is launching various success in their respective categories. PG plant-based products such as Silk protein-enhanced nut-based milks, featuring a blend of almond and cashew milks, and containing 10 grams of soy-free, For more about better-for-you refrigerated foods, visit progressivegrocer.com/bfyrefrig. plant-based protein per serving. On the retailer side, Natural Grocers’ Clinthorne sees not just cashew and almond milks hitting shelves, but also coconut, flax and hemp varieties. Technological advances today are even allowing for better-tasting butter alternatives. Carlson notes that Prosperity’s Melt organic butter substitute, made from a blend of beneficial fruit- and plant-based fats, not only sells in stick and spread formats, but also has the same melt and smoke points as traditional butter, making it suitable for cooking. As for meat, animal protein alternatives continue to grow as more shoppers reduce their overall meat consumption, according to Beena Goldenberg, CEO of Cultivate Ventures, a division of the Lake Success, N.Y.-based manufacturer Giorgio is America’s favorite mushroom because of our quality and the Hain Celestial Group that invests in vast choices we offer in fresh mushrooms from our whole and sliced smaller, innovative businesses. Specififresh mushrooms to organics, specialty items like our portabella caps, cally, its line of Yves Veggies Cuisine, and much more. Giorgio Fresh is a family-owned, third generation now Non-GMO Project Certified, offers veggie alternatives to everything company, focused on meeting consumer demands. from breakfast meats and lunchmeats to taco filling and hot dogs. Similarly, 301 Inc, the new busiyou can’t pick a ness development and venturing unit better partner than of Golden Valley, Minn.-based processor General Mills, has backed BeGiorgio Fresh Co. yond Meat, which recently launched 347 June Avenue, Blandon, PA 19510 800.330.5711 | www.giorgiofresh.com its first refrigerated meat alternative,
Giorgio is truly the mushroom of choice.
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