Country Archer Provisions has unveiled its first plant-based jerky line, made with king oyster mushrooms. The new gluten- and soy-free offering comes in three variants: Spiced Bacon, which derives its flavour from natural hickory smoke, black pepper and a blend of spices; BBQ, combining a smoky BBQ flavour with a touch of sweetness; Teriyaki, featuring a blend of garlic, pineapple and ginger. Containing 3g of dietary fibre per serving, the new offering is said to be low in fat and free from artificial preservatives, and was created in partnership with chef Will Horowitz. The plant-based jerky is made using whole slices of king oyster mushrooms, which are said to have fibres with a similar look and tear to meat that deliver a chew comparable to traditional jerky. “Throughout the last ten years that we have been crafting jerky, we’ve stayed committed to using only high-quality, responsibly sourced, real ingredients,” said co-founder and CEO of Country Archer Provisions, Eugene Kang. “The new line continues our commitment to crafting real food to craft a better world, delivering a snack for flexitarians, curious carnivores and omnivores, meeting at the intersection of taste and real ingredients.” With an SRP of $7.99, the new offering will be available at Sprouts, as well as on Amazon and the brand’s website this month, and at Whole Foods Market stores across the US in October. #CountryArcherProvisions #plantbasedjerky #US

Organic food producer Green Life Farms has agreed to acquire Finn Farms, a hydroponic grower based in Florida. The transaction will give Green Life Farms full ownership of Finn Farms, including all site and equipment assets, and enable the company to expand Green Life Farms’ growing and sales footprint in southwest Florida. Green Life Farms currently operates a hydroponic greenhouse in Lake Worth, Florida, with plans to open another 13 sites in the state. Finn Farms operates a 2.5-acre hydroponic greenhouse in southwest Florida, which uses nutrient film treatment growing technology supplied by Green Automation, Novarbo, Priva, among others. Here, Finn Farms produces a range of leafy greens and herbs, including spinach and basil, and the site is expected to be fully operational later this year. Upon completion of the transaction, Finn Farms will retain its brand name for herbs and microgreens. A company statement said: “The acquisition allows Green Life Farms to rapidly accelerate its sales and capital growth plans, add technological diversity, and incorporate new intellectual property and licensing rights to its business model. Previously, Green Life Farms announced an expansion plan that included eight total facilities; based on market demand for its premium lettuce products, the company has updated its expansion plan to 13 farms.” #FinnFarms #GreenLifeFarms #Hydroponics #verticalfarming

As the plant-based industry continues to skyrocket, innovation in the plant-based snacking and ready-to-consume sectors are witnessing similar growth. This is partly due to an influx of investment in recent years and the ability of manufacturers to offer a wider range of tasty products. The plant-based snacks market is set to exceed $73 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 8.7 %, according to a new report by Future Market Insights. Here, FoodBev explores where businesses are adapting to fulfil the ever-increasing consumer demand. Plant-based confectionery Plant-based confectionery has seen a huge increase in the last several years. Grand View Research reports that the global vegan confectionery market size was valued at $816.0 million in 2019, expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.8% from 2020 to 2027. Interest and acceptance of veganism and plant-based diets over the world have fuelled the growth of the market. There have been various product launches in this category. For example, LoveRaw unveiled its new salted caramel Cre&m wafer bars. Meanwhile, Kellogg’s Rxbar recently debuted its functional plant-based protein snack bars in the US. Continued growth is expected here, as more innovative confectionery products hit the aisles. Sauces, dressings and spreads Grand View’s report also highlights the global plant-based sauces, dressings and spreads market size, which was valued at $194.6 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2020 to 2027. Sauces, dressings and spreads can often be plant-based unintentionally; however many also require dairy or meat flavouring as a staple ingredient. Many sauce and condiment manufacturers in the sector are now looking to provide alternatives to these dairy- and meat-based products. One such company is Gotham Greens, which in recent months has introduced several new products to the market, including vegan ranch and vegan caesar dressings. Ice cream The variety and availability of plant-based ice cream offerings have led to significant growth in dairy-free sweet treats. One of 2020’s major trends, mochi balls, has been turned into a plant-based treat with Bubbies recently launching their new vegan mochi ice creams in three flavours. The dairy-alternative ice cream market has even seen some of the most established brands at the fore – this is most evident in the expansion of ice cream giant Ben and Jerry’s plant-based range. Ben and Jerry’s in the last year have added three new flavours to their pre-existing plant-based ice cream line up, as well as all-new plant-based iced desserts. Savoury bites Savoury snacks have also seen a huge increase in popularity in recent years. Squeaky Bean launched new on-the-go bites in UK Sainsbury’s stores. Munchy Seeds launched a new vegan sprinkles range. The functional savoury plant-based space has also seen innovation with plant-based food manufacturer Alpha Foods introducing five new products, including breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Have you launched a plant-based product worthy of recognition and want to celebrate its excellence or innovation, then entries are now open for both our World Plant-Based Taste Awards and World Plant-Based Awards. #WorldPlantBasedTasteAwards #WorldPlantBasedTasteAwards2021 #WorldPlantBasedAwards2021 #WorldPlantBasedAwards #Food #awards #innovation #beverage #plantbased

Oatly has announced plans to increase oat base capacity at its factory in Ogden, Utah, and for a new production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. During the second half of this year, Oatly will begin work on an expansion project at its Ogden plant, which will see the oat beverages maker add 75 million litres of finished goods equivalent oat base capacity. Oat base provides the foundation for the brand’s drinks. The expansion will increase the company’s total estimated finished goods equivalent oat base capacity from 1,000 million to 1,075 million litres annually by the end of 2022. Oatly says that it will deliver the Ogden capacity expansion – which aims to support “an acceleration in consumer demand” – within its previously stated plan for capital expenditures. Meanwhile, the planned 280,000-square-foot manufacturing centre in Fort Worth is expected to create more than 100 jobs once completed in 2023. The new factory will be Oatly’s third production facility in North America and will produce an estimated 150 million litres of oat milk annually. “We’re excited to break ground on this factory in Fort Worth, which we believe will allow us to meet the growing demand for Oatly’s products and grow our positive impact on the planet,” said Oatly president North America, Mike Messersmith. Commenting on the Ogden site expansion, Oatly CEO Toni Petersson said: “In March of 2021 we opened Oatly’s first-ever end-to-end self-manufacturing production facility in the Americas region and we’re excited that based on an acceleration in consumer demand in the region we are already increasing capacity with construction starting in the second half of this year”. He added: “We believe the fundamentals of our business are stronger than ever as consumer demand continues to accelerate, and we are increasing production capacity globally to meet that growing demand”. Meanwhile, SunOpta has also chosen the Fort Worth-Dallas area as the location for a new ‘mega facility’, which it says will support long-term growth in the company’s plant-based business. SunOpta has said that it is in the final stages of negotiating a lease for the construction of the facility, which it expects to be operational by late 2022. #Dairyalternatives #Oatly #SunOpta #US

LoveRaw has expanded its line of plant-based Cre&m Wafer Bars with the launch of what it claims is the world’s first vegan Salted Caramel Cre&m Wafer Bar. The new edition, which supports the company’s expansion plans, is filled with the brand’s salted caramel cre&m filling, contains a vegan caramel coating and is sprinkled with LoveRaw’s own vegan chocolate. LoveRaw’s Salted Caramel Cre&m Wafer Bar joins the brand’s vegan range of milk chocolate bars, white chocolate cream wafer bars and hazelnut cream filled wafer bars. LoveRaw’s co-founder, Manav Thapar, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our range of Cre&m Wafer Bars, following the huge success and popularity of LoveRaw’s M:lk and White Choc editions”. “The Salted Caramel Cre&m Wafer Bar is our latest innovation and is part of our accelerated growth plan and mission to be the best tasting vegan chocolate in the UK.” The offering is available at Amazon, The Vegan Kind, Holland & Barrett, Whole Foods Market and Spar stores with an RRP of £1.69 per bar. #Loveraw #UK #vegan

Plant-based superfood company Laird Superfood has announced that Paul Hodge will step down from his role as president and CEO, and transition to a non-executive position once a successor has been named. Laird’s board of directors has already commenced the search for Hodge’s replacement, and they are seeking someone with experience in scaling consumer packaged goods (CPG). “It has been a privilege to lead this company for the past six years and I’m extremely proud of all we’ve accomplished together,” said Hodge. “In a short period of time, we’ve gone from ideation to creating a leading consumer brand and dominant omnichannel platform while staying true to our values around high-quality, natural ingredients and sustainability. “My deep passion for this Company is widely known as is my commitment to its long-term success for all stakeholders. As a large shareholder myself, I recognise the benefit that complementary platform expertise would bring to accelerating growth on the path to becoming the multi-billion dollar business to which we aspire.” He continued: “So the search is underway for a person who shares our passion, vision and values for the Laird Superfood brand along with possessing other key attributes including large CPG experience. I thank you all for your support. The next chapter of growth for Laird Superfood is underway, it’s going to be an exciting journey.” Geoffrey Barker, chairman of the board of directors added: “We are grateful for Paul’s vision in inventing and building the Laird Superfood brand from the ground up, and his leadership throughout a period of rapid growth. He and his team have created significant value for our customers and shareholders.” “On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank Paul for his efforts in making Laird Superfood the unique, dynamic company it is today, well-positioned for substantial long-term growth. Paul will remain a valued member of the company’s board of directors and we look forward to continuing our work together.” #LairdSuperfood #plantbased #US

Rebbl, a US producer of organic plant-based functional beverages, has announced the launch of two new product lines. Available in four flavours – root beer, mandarin orange, blackberry and ginger lime – the new Rebbl Pop is a sparkling prebiotic soda that aims to support immunity and digestive health. The new certified-organic beverages are free from gluten, and contain only 50 calories and 5g of sugar. “We’re excited to bring a better-for-you alternative to the soda category,” said Bonnie Neulight, chief marketing and innovation officer at Rebbl. “Rebbl Pop is the answer to the soda drinker’s dilemma. With Rebbl Pop there are no more feelings of guilt nor yearning for taste.” Meanwhile, Rebbl Stacked Coffee is a ‘plant-powered’ ready-to-drink cold brew beverage that combines caffeine with L-theanine. Made with oat milk and functional ingredients such as lion’s mane mushrooms, the new offering aims to support focus, immunity and energy. The organic drink comes in four flavours – cafe mocha, vanilla latte, hazelnut latte and straight black – all of which are non-GMO, while also being free from dairy, soy and gluten. “We literally ‘stacked’ our best-tasting, fair trade coffee with premium function,” commented Neulight. Rebbl Pop and Rebbl Stacked Coffee are available online via the brand’s website and Amazon, as well as at Whole Foods Market stores across the US. #functionalbeverages #US #Rebbl #plantbased #Coldbrewcoffee

Mushroom-based meat alternatives company Fable Food has raised AUD 6.5 million (approx. $4.8 million) in seed funding, as it looks to expand its production globally. The seed funding round was led by Blackbird Ventures, with participation from VC AgFunder, sustainability-focused Aera VC, Better Bite Ventures, Singapore-based Ban Choon Marketing and former Sequoia Capital partner, Warren Hogarth. Founded in 2019, the Sydney-based start-up plans to use its new capital on continued research and product development, as well as to expand its production and manufacturing capacity globally. After having already launched in Singapore and the UK, Fable Food is now preparing to arrive in the United States by the end of this year. Fable Food’s co-founder and CEO, Michael Fox, said: “We’re thrilled to have partners dedicated to creating a more sustainable future, and who believe in our mission to help people reduce their meat consumption and ultimately end industrial animal agriculture”. “Thanks to the backing and support of Blackbird Ventures, AgFunder and all of our investors, we will be able to bring our delicious, clean, and responsibly crafted meaty mushroom products to more people around the world. “We’re continually developing delicious meaty mushroom products to make it as easy as possible for people to eat less meat. We want to inspire people to make more healthy and sustainable food choices, and we believe that people shouldn’t have to compromise on taste or quality to do so.” Late last year, Fable Food released a range of ready meals made with its plant-based braised beef product. #US #meatalternatives #Australia #UK #Singapore #plantbased #FableFood

Plant-based cheese maker Good Planet Foods has introduced new ‘snackable’ vegan cheese wedges. The ‘creamy’ plant-based wedges are individually wrapped for portability and can be enjoyed as a snack, in a lunchbox or as part of a charcuterie board. According to Good Planet Foods, its wedges are made with simple ingredients such as coconut oil and plant proteins, and are free from gluten, soy and lactose. Three varieties are available – original, pepper jack and smoked gouda – each of which is keto-friendly. “The plant-based cheese segment is growing extremely fast, but the potential is far greater than we are seeing,” said Good Planet co-CEO, Bart Adlam. “We are committed to growing the segment by making it easy for consumers to make a sustainable choice and choose plant-based. With this innovation, we are delivering an allergen-free, keto-certified, plant-based snackable cheese wedge that delivers all the creaminess, satisfaction and taste of dairy cheese.” The new offering comes in 4oz packs of six wedges and is available for $4.99 at HyVee, Wakefern and other grocery retailers. Last year, Good Planet secured $12 million in a Series A funding round led by venture capital firm Cleveland Avenue. #Dairyalternatives #GoodPlanetFoods #US

Plant-based food manufacturer Alpha Foods has introduced five new products, including breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Alpha’s latest breakfast offerings are said to be “perfect for quick mornings on the go” and contain around 15g of protein. The new Alpha Breakfast Burritos include: Protein Supreme, featuring meatless sausage crumble, plant-based bacon strips, seasoned tofu scramble and dairy-free cheddar; Bac’n Scramble, with tofu scramble, crispy meatless bacon and spicy dairy-free cheese; and Rockin Ranchero, combining tofu scramble and savoury sauce with spicy dairy-free cheese. Meanwhile, two new English muffin Breakfast Sandwiches are available: Sausage Original, featuring seasoned meatless sausage patty, plant-based egg fold and dairy-free cheese; and Spicy Chorizo, with meatless chorizo, plant-based egg fold and dairy-free cheese. The new breakfast offerings are available in Costco and Safeway, as well as online. #AlphaFoods #meatalternatives #plantbased

Australian meat alternatives company V2food has raised €45 million in a Series B extension round to bring its plant-based products to Europe and China. Based in Sydney, V2food produces a range of alternative protein products, including plant-based burgers and sausages made from legumes. Launched in 2019, V2food worked with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Agency (CSIRO) to create products that aim to mimic the taste and high protein, iron and vitamin B content of meat. The company’s offerings are free from GMOs, as well as artificial colours and flavourings. “We’ve drawn upon the best food, nutrition and sustainability science from CSIRO to develop a sustainable and nutritious product, with an unmatched texture and flavour,” said Nick Hazell, founder and CEO of V2food. The company has also developed a production process that allows its products to be made in any standard meat production facility. The extension round brings V2food’s total Series B funding to €92 million following a raise last year and was led by Astanor Ventures, V2food’s first European investor. The investment from Belgium-based Astanor comes as V2 looks to expand into Europe, while the round was also joined by ‘one of China’s largest delivery platforms’, offering V2 the opportunity to distribute products to consumers across its network. V2food recently hired its first China-based general manager and has developed new products aimed specifically at the Chinese market. The Series B extension round was also backed by existing investors such as Main Sequence, ABC World Asia and Esenargo, which will reportedly help support the company’s expansion into China. Hazell continued: “We are delighted to bring Astanor on board and are grateful for the continuous support from our returning investors. The company is speeding up product advancements and scaling up our business footprint. “This round enables us to continue our efforts improving and iterating our products and further grow the company in terms of scale, global competitiveness and business development.” #China #Europe #meatalternatives #v2food

The World Plant-Based Awards 2021, in association with Plant Based World Expo and sponsored by ADM, are now live! Following the success of FoodBev’s inaugural World Plant-Based Awards in 2020, we are excited to launch the second edition of this upcoming event, which pays homage to the most innovative companies in this fast-paced industry. A live ceremony will be held during this year’s Plant Based World Expo in New York, US, on Thursday 9 December, to recognise and celebrate excellence across every sector of the burgeoning global plant-based sector. Last year, the judging panel considered over 220 entries from all corners of the globe, and despite the coronavirus pandemic, the winners and finalists were announced during an exclusive virtual ceremony hosted in association with Plant Based World Expo. Matthew Rushton, marketing manager at FoodBev Media said: “When we decided to launch the World Plant-Based Awards scheme in 2019, we had a feeling it would be a success. We could not have foreseen the circumstances of the past year, but we were thrilled these conditions did not stifle innovation, and delighted to receive significant interest from companies across the food and beverage industry.” “This December, we are looking forward to hosting our first-ever live World Plant-Based Awards in New York, at Plant Based World Expo. I am excited to celebrate the raft of innovative plant-based products that are driving the sector forward.” There are 15 categories in total to enter, ranging from plant-based products and packaging, through to technology innovation and brand recognition. Smaller challenger brands and start-ups, and more established brands are all invited to enter your plant-based innovations. Entrants that submit their entries before September 3rd will also be entitled to our early bird discount, saving £55 on your regular entry price. With our small business rate options available the awards are now more accessible than ever before Have you launched an innovative new plant-based product or service? Find out more #WorldPlantBasedAwards2021 #WorldPlantBasedAwards #Food #awards #innovation #beverage #plantbased