Rival Foods, a Dutch company developing alternative protein technologies, has secured investment from PeakBridge Growth II. The PeakBridge-led investment was joined by France’s Roquette Ventures. A spin-off from Wageningen University & Research, Rival Foods aims to “revolutionise” the plant-based meat and fish analogues market by creating products using shear cell technology. Developed by the university, the technology produces layered and fibrous structures, resembling meat, from plant proteins. The process can be performed in a conical Shear Cell or – on a larger scale – in a cylindrical Couette Cell. Rival Foods will use the new funding to support its product development efforts, expand its operational capabilities and scale up its technologies. In addition to Rival Foods, PeakBridge’s Growth II has also invested in Standing Ovation, which develops animal- and lactose-free substitutes for conventional dairy products using microbial fermentation. Erich Sieber, general partner and co-founder of PeakBridge, said: “Product innovation, meeting new consumer needs and resource optimisation are long-term solutions that agri-food tech funds such as PeakBridge, and innovative companies, such as Rival Foods and Standing Ovation, help drive”. #RivalFoods #theNetherlands

Cathedral City has entered the vegan market with a new plant-based cheddar available in multiple formats including block, sliced and grated. The cheese has been years in the making and is based on the taste of the brand’s creamy cheddar. The new plant-based range delivers the quality people expect from Cathedral City, now in dairy free formats. Neil Stewart, head of marketing for Cathedral City at Saputo Dairy UK said: “This is an exciting moment for the dairy free cheese sector. Demand for free from alternatives is soaring but for some shoppers, such as flexitarians, there hasn’t been an offering which is good enough to encourage them to purchase regularly. That’s where our new Plant Based range comes in.” #CathedralCity #plantbasedcheese #SaputoDairyUK

Vegan deli meat company Plantcraft has launched two clean-label sliced meats – bologna and pepperoni. The sliced ‘meats’ stay in line with Plantcraft’s values of clean-label, gluten-free, non-GMO products that are without any additives, grains, or allergens. These two flavours have a pea protein base and are the first of a new product line of vegan sliced deli meats for grocery and foodservice. “Our deli slices combine Italian traditions and today’s food science to give consumers a healthier version of familiar tastes,” said Csaba Hetényi, Plantcraft co-founder. “Many plant-based meats are highly processed, but people looking for clean-label, allergen-friendly, gluten- and soy-free options can feel good about these choices.” #cleanlabel #delimeat #Plantcraft #US

On Thursday 8 September, the winners and finalists in the World Plant-Based Awards were announced during a special ceremony in association with Plant Based World Expo North America. The judging panel considered over 140 entries from 20 countries across 17 categories. FoodBev Media marketing manager, Dan Bunt, said: “The competition this year was exceptionally close. I hope all finalists and entrants are proud of their accomplishments; I look forward to all the companies’ successes in the future. The third annual World Plant-Based Awards were a great success and credit must be given to the incredible team behind the scenes at Plant Based World Expo North America.” A full list of winners and finalists in each category follows below. Best dairy product alternative Culcherd – Culcherd Everything Bagel Cheese Daiya – Feta Style Block Honestly Tasty – Shamembert Naturli Foods – VEGAN SPREADABLE Winner New Roots AG: Plant-Based Alternative to Hard Cheese – Circular Economy Approach New Roots AG – La Fraîche – An Allrounder and 100% Substitute in any Kitchen Saputo Dairy USA – Vitalite Plant-Based Cheese Best meat alternative Beyond Meat – Chicken Tenders Eatplanted – Lemon & Herb Chicken Fable – Meaty Mushroom MyForest Foods – MyBacon NotCo – NotBurger™ Plantcraft – Plant-based Bologna Winner The Mushroom Meat Co. – Pulled Pork Best milk alternative Winner NotCo – NotMilk™ Chocolate Plantag – Black Sesame Milk Ripple Foods – Dairy-Free Kids Milk Best plant-based beverage COCOPRO – Sugar-Free Fresh Coconut Milk True North – Pure Energy Seltzer Winner Hope and Sesame – Non-GMO Barista Blend Sesamemilk Highly Commended Ripple – Dairy-Free Milk Best plant-based business Highly Commended Beyond Meat MartinoRossi Spa Winner New Roots AG Infinite Foods Best plant-based chocolate Winner PLAYin CHOC – Organic Peruvian Cacao M•lk Chocolate Highly Commended VEGO Chocolate – Vego Whole Hazelnut Chocolate Bar Best plant-based condiment ALDI – exclusive Specially Selected Premium Pasta Sauces Seed Ranch Flavor Co. – Umami Everyday Sauce Winner The PlantEat – Eat’s Better Chipotle Mayo Best plant-based convenience product Winner 18 Chestnuts – Plant Based Soups ALDI – exclusive Simply Nature Acai Superfruit Packs GrownAs* Foods – Truffle Vegan Mac & Cheese Nutr – Nutr Machine Best plant-based dessert/confectionery LoveRaw – White Choc Cre&m Wafer Bar Pri’s Puddings – Pocket Sized Pies Winner SuperSeed Ice Creme – Eat Drink Innovate Pty Ltd Bon Dévil – Choc Ganache Desserts Best plant-based functional product Highly Commended DSM Food & Beverage – Maxavor® Fish YE Winner Float Foods – OnlyEg XL Omelette Fody Foods – Plant-Based Vegan Bolognese Pasta Sauce MartinoRossi Spa – Meat Substitute Mix Ground Meat TCI Co., Ltd. – PBA PROBIO-ARK DELIVERY TECH Best plant-based non-food product Winner FreshFry – Freshfry Pods Best plant-based packaging 18 Chestnuts – Plant Based Soups Winner Oumph! The Fry Family Food Co. – Stars & Moons Best plant-based protein Winner Brevel – Plant Based Protein From Microalgae Palmetto Gourmet Foods – Chef Woo Ramen The Mushroom Meat Co. – Textured Mushroom Protein (TMP)™ The Protein Brewery – Fermotein® Best plant-based seafood Finless Foods – Plant-Based Tuna Mind Blown Plant Based – Crab Cakes Winner BeLeaf – Plant-Based Shrimp Best plant-based snack Beyond Meat – Beyond Meat Jerky Winner Dolfin Ltd – My Sweet Chickpea Outstanding Foods – Outstanding Cheese Balls Popadelics – Crunchy Mushroom Chips Whoa Dough – Whoa Dough Cookie Dough Bars Best plant-based start-up 18 Chestnuts Plant Based Soups LoveRaw® Plantcraft – The Plant-Based Deli Meat Company Winner The Protein Brewery – Fermotein® Best plant-based sustainability Winner Ingredion incorporated – Ultra performance Prista line Highly Commended MartinoRossi Spa – MartinoRossi for the Planet The Mushroom Meat Co. – TMP / Mushroom-Based Flavors The Protein Brewery – Fermotein® About the World Plant-Based Awards The World Plant-Based Awards, in association with Plant Based World Expo North America, are a celebration of innovation and excellence across every category of the global plant-based industry. These awards are a fantastic way to enhance the promotion of your brand and to ensure it gains global recognition. Being successfully shortlisted provides a hallmark of success that will prevail long after the awards ceremony and can highlight the contribution your company’s products and team are making to the plant-based industry. About FoodBev Media Established in 2000, FoodBev Media is the food and beverage industry’s leading media and communication business. With a portfolio of international magazines, the website www.foodbev.com and the industry’s largest social media network, FoodBev Media ensures you are continuously kept up to date with the latest trends and innovations. Since 2003, FoodBev Media has gained a reputation for organising successful international awards schemes in the food, beverage and dairy industries. #ThePlantBase #PlantBasedWorldExpo #WorldPlantBasedAwards #awards #WorldPlantBasedAwards2022

Indoor farming company Gotham Greens has raised more than $310 million in new capital to accelerate the expansion of its network of high-tech hydroponic greenhouses. The new funding brings the company’s total financing to $440 million since its founding in 2009. Gotham Greens plans to use the capital to support channel and geographic market expansion, increase its operational capacity and accelerate new product development. The company’s offering includes greenhouse-grown leafy greens and herbs, and a line of refrigerated salad dressings, dips and cooking sauces. The Series E raise will support Gotham Greens’ greenhouse construction projects in Seagoville, Texas, Monroe, Georgia and Windsor, Colorado, as well as the expansion of its existing greenhouses in Chicago and Providence, Rhode Island. The fundraising round includes equity and debt funding led by new investors BMO Impact Investment Fund, a sustainability-focused investment fund of the Bank of Montreal (BMO), and Ares Management funds. In addition, the round was joined by other new and existing investors. “Gotham Greens was founded with a vision to advance indoor farming and sustainably grow high-quality leafy greens in cities across America every day of the year,” said Viraj Puri, co-founder and CEO of Gotham Greens. “Today, our ambitions and footprint are outgrowing our roots in the best way, and we’re humbled to receive this funding from new and existing investors to continue our national expansion in order to reach our goal of delivering Gotham Greens fresh produce within a day’s drive from our greenhouses to 90% of consumers across the US. “With increasing climate- and supply chain- related issues facing our food system, it’s more important than ever to bring innovative farming solutions that grow high-quality produce while using fewer precious natural resources. Gotham Greens is growing fast, and we look forward to bringing our brand to new markets in the coming months.” Gotham Greens also says that it recently completed the acquisition of FresH2O Growers, a 540,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse grower on the East Coast, doubling its production capacity. #GothamGreens #indoorfarming #US

Plant-based meat company, Everything Legendary, has announced the launch of a line of vegan Wyngz. Expanding the brand’s portfolio beyond burgers and mince, the company’s new offerings include: Dragon Wyngz, which were designed to provide a “twist on traditional nuggets;” and Scorchin’ Bites. Each Wyngz variety contains 13g of protein per serving and is soy-free with no artificial preservatives. “You don’t have to give up flavour and fun when you choose vegan,” said co-founder, Duane Cheers. “If you miss those spicy chicken wings, our Wyngz will satisfy that craving with all of your senses – the look, smell and taste will not disappoint.” #EverythingLegendary #US

PowerPlant Partners, known for backing plant-based food and beverage brands, has announced the final closing of its third fund at $330 million. PowerPlant Ventures III (PPV Fund III) will continue to invest in consumer brands that are “better for people and the planet,” focusing solely on growth-stage companies. PPV Fund III will invest between $15 million and $40 million in target companies. The fund has already made four investments in health and sustainable food and beverage companies, including Miyoko’s Creamery, Liquid Death, Partake Brewing and Systm Foods. “We are thrilled to receive such strong support and commitment from our limited partners, especially during a period of increased market volatility,” said Dan Gluck, co-managing partner of PowerPlant Partners. “This new fund will allow us to deepen and grow our efforts to find, fund and scale breakthrough companies that are building a healthier, more sustainable future.” PowerPlant Partners has announced it is expanding its strategic focus beyond food and beverage products to also include consumer technology, service and enablement companies that are aligned with people and planetary health megatrends. #PowerPlantPartners #US

Dairy-free cheese producer Daiya Foods has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of a range of plant-based flatbreads. Featuring Daiya’s Cutting Board Cheeze Shreds on top of a thin gluten-free crust, the flatbreads can be enjoyed for lunch or as an appetiser. Flavours include: Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Fig, which also features kale, a creamy garlic sauce and Daiya’s mozzarella- and feta-style ‘cheezes;’ Meatless Italian Sausage Flavoured Crumbles, Roasted Pepper & Kale, with parmesan- and feta-style ‘cheezes;’ and Tomato, Sunflower Seed Pesto & Arugula Flatbread, with parmesan-style shreds. “At Daiya, our longstanding tradition of breakthrough plant-based discoveries continues with our first-to-market flatbreads,” said Dan Hua, vice president of marketing. “We know that consumers are often still choosing to cook at home versus eating out, as a result of the pandemic, and so we wanted to ensure they had the option for both a quick and convenient, yet delicious-tasting flatbread that was both plant-based and allergen-friendly.” The flatbreads can be found in the frozen aisle at Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Walmart, Save-on-Foods, Metro and Whole Foods Market. #dairyfreecheese #DaiyaFoods

Wicked Kitchen has acquired plant-based seafood brand Good Catch‘s North American channels. The acquisition extends Wicked Kitchen’s plant-based offerings to frozen and ambient seafood products, adding to the company’s portfolio of meal solutions and ingredients. The two brands, both co-founded by brothers and chefs, Chad and Derek Sarno, are coming together to support one mission: creating foods that work towards improving the environment and the lives of humans, animals and sea life by inspiring the world to eat more plants. Chad Sarno, now chief culinary officer for both brands, said: “When creating Wicked Kitchen and Good Catch, our goal for both brands was to develop culinary-driven, industry-changing products that would challenge the way consumers think about their food choices and experience. By coming together as one team and one mission, we will have a broader positive impact.” While the two brands will prioritise working together on animal-free product innovations, they will also continue to operate ‘business as usual’ in terms of branding, current product availability, distribution and fulfilment. In the all-stock transaction, Gathered Foods, the parent company of Good Catch, will become a shareholder in Wicked Kitchen and will gain a seat on the company’s board. Gathered will focus on its core strength in developing and producing quality and innovative plant-based proteins. Chris Kerr, Gathered Foods executive chair, added: “Gathered Foods is a leading pioneer in plant-based proteins. Wicked’s greatest strength is consumer reach, branding, and most importantly, culinary delight. Together, this is an outstanding path forward allowing both companies to bring their greatest strengths to the consumer market.” Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. #GatheredFoods #GoodCatch #Plantbasedseafood #WickedKitchen

Everyone at FoodBev Media and The Plant Base join so many around the world in mourning the loss as well as celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who won the admiration of all generations by setting such an example of service. She reigned throughout my lifetime and I had the immense privilege of meeting her in 1973 when she came to Bath to recognise 1,000 years since the coronation of England’s first king, King Edgar, in 973. We lose one of the most constant figures of our lives. Her values will live on. Richard Hall, chairman of FoodBev Media

Plant-based meat business This has added a new range of ready meals to its portfolio, aiming to fill the gap for a meat reducer offering that also appeals to younger consumers. The launch sees three plant-based ready meals hit the shelves that are low in saturated fat, high in protein and can be cooked in the microwave in 4-5 minutes. The varieties are This Isn’t Pork Meatballs and Spaghetti, in a rich tomato sauce with grilled peppers; This Isn’t Chicken Thai Green Curry, with a coconut and lemongrass sauce, aubergine, green beans and rice; and This Isn’t Pork Sausages and Mash, with red onion gravy and creamy kale mash. Andy Shovel co-founder of This said: “The ready meals taste lush and it’s a massive moment for us to be launching into our fourth new category so quickly. Thanks to all the amazing work of This team we’ve been able to produce meals which are indistinguishable from the nation’s favourite meat-based classics.” The ready meal range will be This’s fourth new category in a matter of months, driving penetration to the plant-based lifestyle. The brand launched its first frozen range in June, its first branded food-to-go range in July and its first ambient snacking product with Hippeas just last month. The products will be available in Tesco stores from 12 September and will have an RRP of £3.95. #This #plantbasedmeat #UK #readymeals #plantbased

Kibbutz Yotvata and Brevel have co-signed an agreement to build a commercial-scale facility to cultivate and produce microalgae-based protein for the food and beverage industry. The facility, located in Israel, will be home to the largest fermentation reactors of their kind; in full capacity, the total manufacturing volume will reach up to 900,000 litres and 3,000 tons of dry product per year. Today, Brevel uses fermenters that have a capacity of 5,000 litres. Brevel is providing microalgae-based alternative protein which is affordable, highly functional, sustainable and at consistent and scalable production. Brevel’s technology is the first globally to combine sugar-based microalgae fermentation with a high concentration of light at industrial scales. The result is a colour- and flavour-neutral protein that will be price competitive with pea and soy. Brevel’s protein solves immediate challenges in plant-based dairy and egg products that lack a valuable nutritional profile due to the need for very mildly-flavoured protein sources. Yonatan Golan, CEO and co-founder of Brevel, said: “We are actively working to solve the biggest nutrition challenges that exist today. The company is achieving this by providing truly sustainable plant-based protein that is available for the first time at an affordable cost for the food industry.” CEO of Yotvata, Hannan Shushan, added: “We are proud to build the largest facility of its kind in the world. Yotvata is dedicated to finding sustainable solutions to feed the ever-growing world population and believes that the alternative-protein market will play a big part in that mission. The agreement with Brevel is a significant step in that direction.” #Brevel #protein #sustainableprotein #microalgae #Israel