Harvest Snaps, a Calbee America flagship brand, has launched new Selects Baked Navy Bean Snacks, a line of plant-based chips featuring farm-picked navy beans as the first ingredient. The snacks come in three different flavours – Loaded Taco featuring zesty spices, cheddar cheese and sour cream, White Cheddar Jalapeno with creamy white cheddar and Honey Dijon, a combination of honey and mustard. Sandra Payer, head of marketing at Calbee America, commented: “We couldn’t be more excited to take our veggie-first philosophy into the salty snack aisle with Harvest Snaps’ Selects Baked Navy Bean Snacks. We’ve upped the taste ante in this new line-up while still packing in the protein, so consumers get the best of both worlds – a super tasty chip they can feel good about enjoying.” Harvest Snaps’ Selects Baked Navy Bean Snacks are now available for US retailers for an SRP of $4.99. #HarvestSnaps #plantbasedchips #US

Eat & Beyond’s portfolio company Beyond Moo has launched an oat-based yogurt drink designed for kids, in flavours cherry and vanilla. The new offering, made from 100% Canadian oats, is dairy and gluten-free, low in sugar and provides probiotics, calcium, and vitamins in an on-the-go format. “The drinkable format means that it’s easy to toss into kids’ lunchboxes or take on the go,” said Yulia Weber, Founder of Beyond Moo. “Single-serve and on-the-go formats are both convenient and versatile and represent a gap in the current plant-based product offerings on the market”. The plant-based yogurt drinks are nut-free, soy-free, preservative-free and made without artificial flavours. They are available in supermarkets across Canada. #BeyondMoo #EatampBeyond #Oatbaseddairy #Yogurtbeverage

Forming part of UK supermarket Asda’s largest Christmas offering to date, the new plant-based range boasts 97 items. One new item is breaded vegan brie with a sweet chilli dip, creamy bites coated in golden paprika and a herb crumb. Asda has also launched a plant-based turkey crown with umami stock, the soya-based turkey alternative is topped with a flavoured crumb to give a crispy skin-like texture and finished with a savoury umami butter. In the dessert section, Asda has introduced vegan chocolate baubles, which, when broken with a spoon, reveal a vegan chocolate mousse, cookie crumb and caramel sauce. Many of Asda’s vegan Christmas range will be available to buy online and in-store from 24 November, with further items released over the course of the month. #Asda #Christmas #UK

Dr Praeger’s Sensible Foods has expanded its Perfect frozen food line with the launch of three new chick’n products. The varieties include: Perfect Chick’n Tenders, Perfect General Tso’s Chick’n and Perfect Nashville Hot Chick’n. The range is vegan, non-GMO project verified and offers up to 17g of plant protein. “We are excited to expand our chick’n offerings with three new products we know our consumers will love,” said Ken Krasnow, EVP and chief marketing officer of Dr Praeger’s Sensible Foods. “These new SKUs provide the perfect combination of great taste, health and variety that Dr Praeger’s is known for.” The new line of Perfect Chick’n products is available at retailers nationwide, including Publix, Shoprite, Giant Company, Key Foods, Meijer, Wegmans, Foodtown and more. #DrPraegersSensibleFoods #US

Nomo has unveiled two additions to its Christmas line-up – the Chocolate Orange Reindeer and the Cookie Dough box. Both products are vegan and free from dairy, gluten, egg and nuts. The new additions will sit alongside Nomo’s Christmas collection consisting of four other products – Cookie Dough Reindeer, Classic Advent Calendar, Premium Advent Calendar and Caramel Drops Box. Jacqueline Tyrrell, Nomo brand manager said: “Our aim is to inject the fun into Christmas by providing a range of delicious mainstream products that all consumers will love, no matter if they are vegan or have a food allergy or intolerance”. “We are delighted to launch our Choc Orange Reindeer and Cookie Dough Box which we know Nomo fans will love”. All products are now available online and will be available in most major retailers across the UK. #Nomo #UK

Good Planet Foods has released a new limited-edition flavour – white cheddar and cranberry – in wedges and wheels formats. The white cheddar and cranberry wedges come in six individually wrapped snackable wedges. While the white cheddar and cranberry cheese wheels are naturally cold-smoked with applewood chips, creating a nutty flavour profile that pairs well with fruit and nuts. Good Planet Foods co-CEO Bart Adlam said: “Consumers are looking for new ways to enjoy plant-based foods, and these festive, seasonal flavours provide this. Good Planet Foods will continue to create unique offerings that bring the joy of cheese to all.” The new flavour will be available at retailers nationwide, with the white cheddar and cranberry wedges retailing for an SRP of $5.99 and the white cheddar and cranberry wheels retailing for an SRP of $6.99. #GoodPlanetFoods #US

Beyond Meat has expanded its beef substitutes portfolio with the introduction of a plant-based alternative to seared steak tips. Containing 21g of protein per serving, Beyond Steak can be used to make dishes such as fajitas, tacos, stir fries, sandwiches and salads. The product comes seared and chopped into pieces and aims to emulate the “juicy, tender” bite of its meat counterpart. Beyond Meat chief innovation officer, Dariush Ajami, said: “Beyond Steak is a highly anticipated expansion of our popular beef platform and we’re proud to introduce this innovative product to consumers nationwide”. “Beyond Steak delivers the taste and texture of sliced steak in a way that is better for both people and the planet.” According to Beyond Meat, the new frozen offering can be prepared in a skillet or air fryer in five minutes, is low in saturated fat and contains 0mg of cholesterol. Beyond Steak is launching at Kroger and Walmart stores across the US and will also be available from other retailers. #BeyondMeat #US

Plant-based snack and beverage company, Buddha Brands, has announced a CAD 5.25 million (approx. $3.9 million) round of funding from capital investor, Fondaction. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Buddha Brands makes ‘better-for-you’ plant-based products that are low in added sugar, with an emphasis on clean ingredients. The investment will support Buddha Brands’ product development efforts, and help the brand to grow production and accelerate its penetration into the US market. Buddha Brands’ CEO and co-founder, Christopher Magnone, commented: “Fondaction’s support comes at the right time as we continue to expand distribution and push forward with promoting better eating habits in North America. Generating more market awareness for Buddha Brands and our plant-powered, clean-ingredient snacks and beverages will remain a key focus for the business.” Claire Bisson, deputy head of investment, impact and sustainability at Fondaction, added: “This investment is encouraging the supply and accessibility of plant-based, better-for-you foods, which will positively impact society’s overall health and wellness”. Buddha Brands can be found in over 5,000 retail locations across Canada and the US with distribution across independent food stores, grocery chains, convenience stores and online shopping platforms. #BuddhaBrands #Canada #Fondaction #US

Plant-based food manufacturer Alpha Foods has expanded its breakfast sandwich line-up with the launch of Chik’n & Maple Waffle Breakfast Sandwich. The Alpha Chik’n & Maple Waffle Breakfast Sandwich is created using Alpha’s crispy plant-based Chik’n Patty between two maple syrup-infused Belgian-style waffles. The new sandwich is vegan-certified, non-GMO project verified and made without palm oil. It is also packed with 16g of protein and is an excellent source of iron and fibre. “According to a recent survey conducted by Alpha and The Harris Poll, 73% of Americans feel stressed during weekday morning breakfast time, and more than two-thirds want to “up” their breakfast game,” said Alpha co-founder and CEO Cole Orobetz. “Our new Chik’n & Maple Waffle Breakfast Sandwich is a delicious plant-based recreation of America’s favorite brunch classic, ready in minutes.” Alpha’s Chik’n & Maple Waffle Breakfast Sandwich is available in individual packages at all Publix, Market Basket and Food City locations. #AlphaFoods #US

Nuovo Pasta, an artisan pasta manufacturer, has announced the release of its plant-based vegan collection. Each handmade style tortellini is filled with chef-crafted ingredients and non-dairy artisan (plant-based) cheeses. The vegan pasta is made from Italy’s ancient grain Kamut, one of the world’s oldest grains. Kamut wheat is an ancient wheat containing wholegrain nutrition, which provides firm texture, as well as a rich, nutty, taste. Flavours available in the tortellini collection include spinach and vegan ricotta, tomato, basil and vegan ricotta, roasted sweet potato and cauliflower and wild mushroom ragu and polenta. “We’ve taken our years of experience in the foodservice world and really created a restaurant experience at home for people, I believe that’s really driven the success of the company,” said Carl Zuanelli, CEO and founder of Nouvo Pasta. #Nuovo

Heura, a plant-based food tech start-up, has announced a more than €20 million funding round. The investment round included contributions from professional basketball player Ricky Rubio, football players Sergi Busquets and Sergi Roberto, comedian David Broncano, as well as Unovis Capital. It began earlier this year with Heura raising more than €4 million in 12 hours through its Equity for Good Rebels crowdfunding campaign. “Having mission-driven investors on board who dare to take bold action to accelerate the plant-based protein transition gives us the resources to continue driving category growth across Europe,” said Heura CEO and co-founder, Marc Coloma. He continued: “We have a clear vision, and this new funding will help us transition from a successful Spanish plant-based company to a net-positive food tech start-up that’s leading the protein transition across Europe. This growth path is designed to bring us into 2023 in a position to close the largest Series B round in the industry, and usher in a future that’s better for the people, planet and animals.” With the new funding, Heura plans to expand distribution in countries such as France, Italy and the UK, as well as enter new European markets, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Heura says that it almost doubled its half-year turnover in 2022, reaching €14.7 million, an increase from €7.6 million during the same period last year. #alternativeproteins #Heura #Spain

Bute Island Foods-owned Sheese has expanded its range of plant-based cheeses with the launch of Mighty Melter slices and The Italiano mix. The melting slices are a red-Leicester-style cheese perfect on top of a veggie burger. The Italiano is a mixed bag of grated plant-based cheese in mozzarella and cheddar style. The brand has expanded into 24 markets since its 1988 creation on the Scottish Isle of Bute and now exports to South Africa, North America and the Middle East. Nigel White of Bute Island Foods, said: “With nearly 40 different varieties, we offer consumers a vast amount of choice when it comes to vegan cheese. “Sheese’s growth continues to gather momentum and we put this sustained growth down to the heritage of the brand, its reputation, quality and our dedication to developing new products for both vegans and non-vegans, as they seek non-dairy alternatives for their plates.” The new products will be available nationwide in UK supermarkets from 21 November, the Mighty Melter slices are priced at £2.25 per 180g and The Italiano at £2.50 per 200g. #ButeIslandFoods #plantbasedcheese #Sheese #UK