Plant-Based Products Are Taking Root
There’s no doubt about it, plant-based foods are flourishing. In 2019 U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods grew by 11.4% to reach a total market value of $5 billion. And they’re sprouting up in almost every category from milk to meat to meal kits. Milk leads the way, making up 40% of the plant-based foods category thanks to products like almond milk and oat milk. Meats are the second largest category, driven by the growth of refrigerated meats; meals and ice cream follow close behind.
Consumers are turning to plant-based alternatives for a variety of reasons. According to The Hartman Group, the primary motivation is taste and discovery. Today’s consumers are more adventurous than ever, open to trying new foods and exploring exotic flavors. The health and wellness mega-trend – including the growing popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets – also accounts for the rise of plant-based products, with people paying more attention to what they’re putting in their bodies. Ethical concerns about the treatment of animals, the use of sustainably sourced ingredients, and the ongoing risks to the environment are also sowing the seeds of change.
No longer limited to niche brands, ”natural” grocery stores or health-food restaurants, meatless has gone mainstream and plant-based foods are popping up everywhere. Burger King now sells an Impossible Whopper. Tyson Foods began making plant-based nuggets. Yoplait has introduced a dairy-free yogurt. And many other brands, big and small, are following suit. Below are some of our favorite plantastic new products.
Cream of the Crop
With milk leading the way, there has been a proliferation of plant-based products in every part of the dairy case. This spring Kite Hill launched Blissful, a full line of rich and creamy coconut milk-based yogurts. They are positioned as a delicious and decadent alternative to traditional yogurt, made with the premium ingredients and artisanal quality that people have come to expect from Kite Hill.
Snack Fix
For today’s increasingly busy consumer, convenience is king. Canadian brand, Wholly Veggie, is on a mission to make ”Veggie-full effortless” with their line of snacks and apps that make it easy to eat your veggies. And the brand recently announced that they are expanding to over 1,200 Target locations in the U.S., so plant-based snacking just got even easier!
Better Dressed
88 Acres has expanded their seed-based product portfolio with the launch of a new salad dressing line made with the protein power of sunflower, pumpkin and watermelon seeds. Co-founder and CEO Nicole Ledoux said, ”We saw an opportunity to create something with seeds as the No. 1 ingredient that was packed with nutrients and real food…our dressings make a plate or bowl of fresh produce more satiating and allow you to get way more out of them.”
Bowled Over
Started by two new moms who couldn’t find delicious, nutritious, on-the-go plant-based snacks, Worthy Bowl carved out a revolutionary new category with their wholesome, convenient, travel-friendly bowls. Each of the 5 indulgent flavor varieties is loaded with nutrient-rich fruits, veggies, protein and fiber.
No-Creature Comforts
When you think of comfort foods, veggies don’t often come to mind. Spaghetti and marinara, mac and cheese, pasta and pesto. Ark Foods recreates these flavorful and filling favorites with plant-based recipes, crafting modern comfort food for the vegetable age.
More than Meats the Eye
High Peaks combined first-generation know-how with third-generation appetites to create a line of plant-based sausages that anyone can enjoy. Their delicious products address the meatless diet trend with a flavorful meat alternative that’s delicious on a pizza, in a bun, or all on its own.
What we love about all these brands are their authentic stories and honest messaging. Tasty, trustworthy and transparent – a winning combination for any plant-based product.