Plant-based food firm The Livekindly Co. (also known as the Livekindly Collective) has raised $135 million in a new funding round led by Blue Horizon Corporation. The Livekindly Co. is a collective of plant-based food brands and predominantly focuses on the meat alternatives market. The company was launched earlier this year following a $200 million funding round, and owns and operates brands including The Fry Family Food Co., LikeMeat and Oumph. Along with Blue Horizon’s financing, this latest funding round also featured investments from an unnamed Asian syndicate led by Trustbridge Partners; global investment organization EQT; Griffith Foods; and other existing shareholders According to a statement from The Livekindly Co., the majority of funding will be used to increase capacity and accelerate the 2021 nationwide US launch of portfolio brands The Fry Family Food Co., LikeMeat, and Oumph; and will help the company to develop new products including plant-based chicken and egg alternatives. Kees Kruythoff, CEO and chairman of the Livekindly Co., said: “We see significant investor interest increasing around our movement. Through our plant-based food platform, we’re committed to ethically and environmentally-friendly practices in everything we do. “We are also uniquely positioned to scale rapidly and transform the current global food system.” David Knopf, chief financial officer of The Livekindly Co., added: “Global consumer demand for plant-based meat alternatives is growing rapidly, creating a meaningful opportunity for investors, and our focus on chicken alternatives addresses a massive global need. “Our plans to accelerate business growth not only meets the demand of consumers for healthier and more environmentally friendly products, but also creates an attractive investment opportunity behind a purpose-driven business model.” Earlier this year, The Livekindly Co. acquired meat alternative brand Oumph from Swedish firm Food For Progress for an undisclosed figure. Oumph produces and markets a wide range of plant-based meat alternative products, which are principally made from soy and are available in several European countries. #LivekindlyCollective #plantbased #US

Food-tech start-up Hooray Foods has announced that its plant-based bacon product will launch in seven US regions from 1 November 2020. Hooray Foods' meat-free bacon is made using a blend of coconut oil, rice flour, tapioca starch, liquid smoke, umami seasoning, maple syrup, salt and beet juice concentrate. The company claims that the meat-free bacon replicates the cooking experience, taste and texture of conventional bacon. The meat-free bacon also does not feature soy, gluten or dairy, and will be available from Whole Foods stores in seven US regions, which were not announced by the company. Founded in 2019, San-Francisco based Hooray Foods claims that one of its core objectives is to boost the consumption of sustainable alternatives to meat, both in environmental and animal welfare terms. The start-up was backed in a seed funding round by private equity firm Stray Dog Capital, and claimed that it would use this funding to increase production capacity and invest in R&D, in preparation for a wider launch. Hooray Foods founder Sri Artham, said: "People who love bacon, love Hooray. I came at it from a totally different direction and developed it with a novel way to encapsulate fat in a substrate. “I wanted to do something that would have a positive environmental impact. While I’m not a chef, or a food scientist, I have been in the food industry for many years, so working to make an environmental difference seemed like a good place to start. “If you want to impact climate change, there’s almost no better way to do so than by changing what you eat.”

Plant-based food firm The Livekindly Co. (also known as the Livekindly Collective) has raised $135 million in a new funding round led by Blue Horizon Corporation. The Livekindly Co. is a collective of plant-based food brands and predominantly focuses on the meat alternatives market. The company was launched earlier this year following a $200 million funding round, and owns and operates brands including The Fry Family Food Co., LikeMeat and Oumph. Along with Blue Horizon's financing, this latest funding round also featured investments from an unnamed Asian syndicate led by Trustbridge Partners; global investment organization EQT; Griffith Foods; and other existing shareholders According to a statement from The Livekindly Co., the majority of funding will be used to increase capacity and accelerate the 2021 nationwide US launch of portfolio brands The Fry Family Food Co., LikeMeat, and Oumph; and will help the company to develop new products including plant-based chicken and egg alternatives. Kees Kruythoff, CEO and chairman of the Livekindly Co., said: “We see significant investor interest increasing around our movement. Through our plant-based food platform, we’re committed to ethically and environmentally-friendly practices in everything we do. "We are also uniquely positioned to scale rapidly and transform the current global food system.” David Knopf, chief financial officer of The Livekindly Co., added: “Global consumer demand for plant-based meat alternatives is growing rapidly, creating a meaningful opportunity for investors, and our focus on chicken alternatives addresses a massive global need. “Our plans to accelerate business growth not only meets the demand of consumers for healthier and more environmentally friendly products, but also creates an attractive investment opportunity behind a purpose-driven business model.” Earlier this year, The Livekindly Co. acquired meat alternative brand Oumph from Swedish firm Food For Progress for an undisclosed figure. Oumph produces and markets a wide range of plant-based meat alternative products, which are principally made from soy and are available in several European countries.

Itsu has expanded its frozen dumplings range with the introduction of a new teriyaki chick’n vegan gyoza product in the UK. Featuring plant-based meat alongside sweet teriyaki, kale, carrot and spring onion, Itsu’s latest offering is said to be the product of a year of dedicated recipe development. Whether steamed, simmered or fried, the Asian-inspired offering can be prepared from frozen in just four minutes. High in protein, the new dumplings are said to have a meat-like texture, providing a ‘nutritious substitute’ for those looking to reduce their meat intake. “As a brand we have always tried to provide our customers with a huge range of vegan options,” said Julian Metcalfe, CEO and founder of Itsu. “With a rise in sales for our plant-based products, it seemed the perfect opportunity to launch the UK’s very first ‘vegan meat’ gyoza …though, this is a product not just made for vegans, or vegetarians, it’s made for everyone – we’re incredibly proud of the final recipe, and can’t wait for people to try it.” Itsu’s teriyaki chick’n vegan gyoza are rolling out, with an RRP of £3.75 per 12-dumpling pack, to Ocado and select Waitrose stores this month, followed by Tesco in November. Earlier this year, Itsu launched a range of brilliant’broth ramen bases to provide consumers with a Japanese-style soup base for ‘easy bowl suppers’. #Itsu #meatalternatives #UK

Itsu has expanded its frozen dumplings range with the introduction of a new teriyaki chick’n vegan gyoza product in the UK. Featuring plant-based meat alongside sweet teriyaki, kale, carrot and spring onion, Itsu’s latest offering is said to be the product of a year of dedicated recipe development. Whether steamed, simmered or fried, the Asian-inspired offering can be prepared from frozen in just four minutes. High in protein, the new dumplings are said to have a meat-like texture, providing a ‘nutritious substitute’ for those looking to reduce their meat intake. “As a brand we have always tried to provide our customers with a huge range of vegan options,” said Julian Metcalfe, CEO and founder of Itsu. “With a rise in sales for our plant-based products, it seemed the perfect opportunity to launch the UK’s very first ‘vegan meat’ gyoza …though, this is a product not just made for vegans, or vegetarians, it’s made for everyone - we’re incredibly proud of the final recipe, and can’t wait for people to try it.” Itsu's teriyaki chick’n vegan gyoza are rolling out, with an RRP of £3.75 per 12-dumpling pack, to Ocado and select Waitrose stores this month, followed by Tesco in November. Earlier this year, Itsu launched a range of brilliant’broth ramen bases to provide consumers with a Japanese-style soup base for ‘easy bowl suppers’.

The Bel Group has announced its ambition to provide a plant-based offering for each one of its core brands, as well as the launch of a new international brand fully dedicated to plant-based products in the next coming months. The news comes after Bel agreed to acquire a majority stake in French plant-based start-up All in Foods that produces the Nature & Moi brand, which is in line with its previously-announced strategy ‘For All. For Good’. Last year, Bel announced its commitment to expand its activities beyond cheese products and develop hybrid products that integrate dairy and plant-based raw materials. In accelerating its transformation strategy, Bel has announced numerous innovation products in different markets with major launches in the plant-based category. From the end of this month, Bel will sell a plant-based version of Boursin on the American market through Amazon Fresh. Meanwhile, the company is also developing a plant-based Mini Babybel project that will be launched next year in the US. As part of its action towards meeting its 100% recyclable and/or biodegradable packaging target by 2025, Bel has been involved in partnerships with TerraCycle to create national packaging recycling programmes. To date, 84% of the company’s packaging is already biodegradable or recyclable. Bel’s executive vice-president, Cécile Béliot, said: “For the past year, we have been accelerating the Group’s transformation, with the conviction that a responsible and profitable growth is possible: an enlightened ‘capitalism’ that is moving from a logic of balance of power to a logic of value sharing, beyond any major stakes. This is what guides all the Group’s actions today.” #Babybel #thelaughingcow #Boursin #BelGroup #plantbaseddairy

The Bel Group has announced its ambition to provide a plant-based offering for each one of its core brands, as well as the launch of a new international brand fully dedicated to plant-based products in the next coming months. The news comes after Bel agreed to acquire a majority stake in French plant-based start-up All in Foods that produces the Nature & Moi brand, which is in line with its previously-announced strategy ‘For All. For Good’. Last year, Bel announced its commitment to expand its activities beyond cheese products and develop hybrid products that integrate dairy and plant-based raw materials. In accelerating its transformation strategy, Bel has announced numerous innovation products in different markets with major launches in the plant-based category. From the end of this month, Bel will sell a plant-based version of Boursin on the American market through Amazon Fresh. Meanwhile, the company is also developing a plant-based Mini Babybel project that will be launched next year in the US. As part of its action towards meeting its 100% recyclable and/or biodegradable packaging target by 2025, Bel has been involved in partnerships with TerraCycle to create national packaging recycling programmes. To date, 84% of the company’s packaging is already biodegradable or recyclable. Bel’s executive vice-president, Cécile Béliot, said: “For the past year, we have been accelerating the Group's transformation, with the conviction that a responsible and profitable growth is possible: an enlightened ‘capitalism’ that is moving from a logic of balance of power to a logic of value sharing, beyond any major stakes. This is what guides all the Group's actions today."

Beyond Meat has announced the launch of Beyond Breakfast Sausage links, which aim to deliver the same taste and texture as their pork-based counterpart. Featuring a blend of savoury herbs and spices, the company’s latest offering is said to contain 40% less sodium than a leading brand of traditional pork breakfast sausage links. According to Beyond Meat, the plant-based links are free from GMOs, bioengineered ingredients, synthetic colours, hormones, antibiotics and cholesterol. “With demand for plant-based breakfast options continuing to rise and more of us eating breakfast at home, we knew the segment was ripe for innovation,” said Stuart Kronauge, chief marketing officer at Beyond Meat. “With the launch of Beyond Breakfast Sausage links, we’re thrilled to introduce another better-for-you plant-based meat option to satisfy consumers’ love of classic breakfast dishes. We think our fans will be excited that they can make restaurant-style breakfast an at-home staple with our new links.” Beyond Breakfast Sausage links will roll out in grocery stores nationwide in the US, including at select Kroger, Albertsons, Harris Teeter and Whole Foods Market locations, throughout this month. Sold in the meat case with an RRP of $5.99 for eight links, the new breakfast offering is Beyond Meat’s fourth new retail product of the year. The company’s other 2020 launches include Beyond Breakfast Sausage patties, Cookout Classic and, most recently, Beyond Meatballs. The plant-based meat producer says that it has recently focused on expanding its breakfast platform, including doubling the retail distribution of its frozen breakfast sausage patties. #BeyondMeat #meatalternatives #US

Beyond Meat has announced the launch of Beyond Breakfast Sausage links, which aim to deliver the same taste and texture as their pork-based counterpart. Featuring a blend of savoury herbs and spices, the company’s latest offering is said to contain 40% less sodium than a leading brand of traditional pork breakfast sausage links. According to Beyond Meat, the plant-based links are free from GMOs, bioengineered ingredients, synthetic colours, hormones, antibiotics and cholesterol. “With demand for plant-based breakfast options continuing to rise and more of us eating breakfast at home, we knew the segment was ripe for innovation,” said Stuart Kronauge, chief marketing officer at Beyond Meat. “With the launch of Beyond Breakfast Sausage links, we’re thrilled to introduce another better-for-you plant-based meat option to satisfy consumers’ love of classic breakfast dishes. We think our fans will be excited that they can make restaurant-style breakfast an at-home staple with our new links.” Beyond Breakfast Sausage links will roll out in grocery stores nationwide in the US, including at select Kroger, Albertsons, Harris Teeter and Whole Foods Market locations, throughout this month. Sold in the meat case with an RRP of $5.99 for eight links, the new breakfast offering is Beyond Meat’s fourth new retail product of the year. The company’s other 2020 launches include Beyond Breakfast Sausage patties, Cookout Classic and, most recently, Beyond Meatballs. The plant-based meat producer says that it has recently focused on expanding its breakfast platform, including doubling the retail distribution of its frozen breakfast sausage patties.

Gathered Foods has partnered with Veggie Grill which will see its Good Catch plant-based tuna feature on the fast-casual restaurant’s menu. Until the end of the year, Veggie Grill has added a limited-edition exclusive tuna melt to its menus nationwide featuring Good Catch’s plant-based tuna. With 37 locations across California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Washington, Veggie Grill offers 100% plant-based food from salads to burgers. The partnership marks Good Catch’s first entry into the restaurant industry and Gathered Foods says it has larger expansion planned in the next few months. Good Catch’s plant-based tuna is made from the brand’s proprietary six-legume blend (peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans and navy beans), which is said to create a texture that mimics the flakiness of seafood. The deal comes after the company recently launched a line of frozen entrees and appetisers, including fish cakes and burgers, and opened a new production plant in Heath, Ohio. “We’ve been working for years to bring our high quality, great tasting tuna product to the foodservice industry so that consumers nationwide can reimagine how to enjoy their favourite tuna dishes,” said Chad Sarno, co-founder and chief culinary officer of Good Catch. He added: “We are excited to partner with Veggie Grill to offer this delicious plant-based tuna melt featuring our plant-based tuna product, and we look forward to an exciting few months ahead as we continue to expand our restaurant footprint.” #GatheredFoods #US #VeggieGrill #Plantbasedseafood #GoodCatch

Gathered Foods has partnered with Veggie Grill which will see its Good Catch plant-based tuna feature on the fast-casual restaurant’s menu. Until the end of the year, Veggie Grill has added a limited-edition exclusive tuna melt to its menus nationwide featuring Good Catch’s plant-based tuna. With 37 locations across California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Washington, Veggie Grill offers 100% plant-based food from salads to burgers. The partnership marks Good Catch’s first entry into the restaurant industry and Gathered Foods says it has larger expansion planned in the next few months. Good Catch’s plant-based tuna is made from the brand’s proprietary six-legume blend (peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans and navy beans), which is said to create a texture that mimics the flakiness of seafood. The deal comes after the company recently launched a line of frozen entrees and appetisers, including fish cakes and burgers, and opened a new production plant in Heath, Ohio. "We've been working for years to bring our high quality, great tasting tuna product to the foodservice industry so that consumers nationwide can reimagine how to enjoy their favourite tuna dishes," said Chad Sarno, co-founder and chief culinary officer of Good Catch. He added: "We are excited to partner with Veggie Grill to offer this delicious plant-based tuna melt featuring our plant-based tuna product, and we look forward to an exciting few months ahead as we continue to expand our restaurant footprint."

Upfield has announced plans for a new plant-based production facility in Brantford, Canada, which will replace the company’s existing factory in Etobicoke and support the firm’s growth strategy. The new site in Brantford will provide expanded production capacity and upgraded equipment to support the production of Upfield’s expanding spreads and margarine product portfolio, including Becel margarine and plant-based bricks. The Brantford facility will also reportedly feature a scaled-up manufacturing platform that will support the production of new innovations, such as Violife vegan cheese alternatives. Plans state that the new facility will be fully operational by the end of 2021, and the existing workforce of 86 technical workers at the firm’s Etobicoke site will be offered positions at the new production site. Upfield also claims that the expanded site will create additional employment opportunities from 2021 to 2023. Dan Bajor, president of Upfield Canada, said: “Upfield is investing and innovating to expand our plant-based business in Canada and introduce a new product line here, our plant-based cheese product, Violife. As part of this expansion, we are launching production in Brantford. “Our new state-of-the art facility will supply our spreads and plant-based cheese product to Canadian consumers and support the export of Violife to the United States and eventually to markets in Latin America.” Earlier this year, Upfield Group announced plans to invest €50 million in a new plant-based research and development (R&D) facility in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Upfield claimed that the new R&D centre would help to accelerate the development of plant-based food products and sustainable packaging solutions. #Upfield #Canada #plantbasedcheese #plantbased #plantbasedspreads