Whole Foods predictions

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Business Wire

Whole Foods Market Accepting Applications for its 2024 Local and Emerging Accelerator Program

Retailer seeks emerging food brands for “Early Growth” cohort, announces newest members of its “On the Verge” cohort AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Whole Foods Market opened the application process for its 2024 Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP) today, seeking 10 innovative food brands not yet sold in Whole Foods Market stores to join the program’s Early Growth cohort. Launched in 2022, LEAP advances Whole Foods Market’s core value of creating win-win partnerships and its longstanding support of local and emerging suppliers by creating mentorship opportunities for cohort participants with Whole Foods Market experts accompanied by months of tailored educational programming. Selected participants for the Early Growth cohort will undergo a 12-week educational curriculum, and, once complete, will be considered for placement on the grocer’s shelves in …

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MyForest Foods MyBacon

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Retail & E-Commerce

MyForest Foods’ MyBacon Now Available in Whole Foods Markets Across the Eastern US

MyForest Foods Co., a producer of mycelium-based protein alternatives, has announced a retail expansion of its flagship product, MyBacon, into Whole Foods Markets across the northeastern United States. This new partnership increases the product’s availability to 57 Whole Foods locations across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Additionally, the company has announced the introduction of MyBacon in MOM’s Organic Market, enhancing its distribution across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. This significant milestone for MyForest Foods extends its commercial retail footprint to over 350 locations across eight states throughout the United States. MyBacon is a mycelium-based bacon alternative made with only five ingredients: organic mycelium, organic coconut oil, organic sugar, salt, and natural flavor. Last year, the company cited plans to launch its second product, …

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Eat Just mayo

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Products & Launches

From Controversy to Comeback: Eat Just Relaunches JUST Mayo with Nationwide Whole Foods Rollout

Nearly four years after its discontinuation, Eat Just has made a significant announcement: the relaunch of JUST Mayo. The much-anticipated return of this product is set to begin this month, with a nationwide rollout scheduled throughout February, exclusively available at Whole Foods Markets. The relaunch also introduces an expanded flavor lineup, featuring Original, Chipotle Mayo, Ranch, and Chipotle Ranch. The announcement, made on JUST Egg’s social media feed earlier today, stated, “Sandwiches and salads of the world, rejoice: JUST Mayo and JUST Ranch are BACK.” The news of the relaunch follows a recent poll by JUST Egg, where a significant 87% of followers expressed interest in the product’s return. Originally developed in 2011 under the company name Hampton Creek, JUST Mayo first hit the shelves …

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The Laughing Cow garlic&herb

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Products & Launches

The Laughing Cow’s Plant-Based Garlic & Herb Cheese Alternative Launches at Whole Foods

The Laughing Cow has announced the much-anticipated launch of its dairy-free cheese alternative, The Laughing Cow Plant-Based in Garlic & Herb flavor, now available at Whole Foods Markets across the United States. The launch of The Laughing Cow Plant-Based has experienced multiple delays, with the company holding off the initial release “in order to spend more time perfecting the recipe,” according to the website. Following a launch announcement in December of 2022, the company further delayed the rollout due to unforeseen production challenges. However, at the end of last year, The Laughing Cow Plant-Based Spreadable Cheese debuted in the UK and is now finally available to US consumers. Mirroring the familiar packaging and presentation of the original Laughing Cow products, the vegan-certified cheese alternative is …

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Nature's Fynd fungi-based yogurts

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Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Nature’s Fynd Launches “World’s First” Fungi-Based Yogurt at Whole Foods

Chicago-based food company Nature’s Fynd has developed what it claims is the world’s first fungi-based yogurt. The dairy-free product, which is described as “delightfully thick and creamy”, is made from the company’s nutritional and sustainable Fy protein. Packaged in single-serving containers, the yogurt is available in three flavors — strawberry, peach, and vanilla. It contains 8 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and live active cultures, while also being free of allergens such as nuts, soy, and gluten. All three flavors are available at Whole Foods stores US-wide from January. Fy protein is produced through the fermentation of a type of fungi that originates in Yellowstone National Park; the process uses just a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. The new yogurts …

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NotChicken Spicy Patties

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Products & Launches

NotCo Launches NotChicken Spicy Patties in US Whole Foods Markets

Food tech company NotCo has unveiled its newest plant-based offering in partnership with Austin-based hot sauce company, Yellowbird Sauce. The product, known as NotChicken Spicy Patties, is now available in select Whole Foods Market stores across the United States.  Combining the signature NotChicken Patties with Yellowbird’s Spicy Habanero flavor, these patties are designed to replicate the taste, aroma, and texture of chicken, with an additional spicy kick, thanks to Yellowbird’s Spicy Habanero flavor. Matias Muchnick, CEO and founder of NotCo, expressed his commitment to delivering delicious plant-based options, stating, “We already deliver on our promise to provide consumers mind-blowingly delicious plant-based options, and we were looking for a way to build on that flavor-forward guarantee to reach even more plant-based eaters and flexitarians. The only …

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Juicy Marbles' famous filet mignon arrives at UK Whole Foods stores

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Retail & E-Commerce

Juicy Marbles’ Famous Plant-Based Filet Mignon Arrives at All UK Whole Foods Stores

Slovenian company Juicy Marbles, a pioneer of 100% plant-based marbled whole cuts, announces that its famous plant-based filet mignon — the Thick-Cut Filet — is now available at Whole Foods stores across the UK.  This initiative marks the first-ever launch of the famous vegan steaks in Whole Foods and the company’s second supermarket listing in the country following a successful deal with Waitrose in June.  The Thick-Cut Filet will be available in a two-piece package for £10.99. The steaks come raw and unseasoned, allowing customers to use any recipe and cooking method: fried, grilled, stewed, and even boiled for broth. Notably, the product has a Nutri-Score A.  “When reviewing our plant-based protein category there was a gap for a premium plant-based cut,” said Daniel Gill, …

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bettermoo(d) Moodrink product

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Retail & E-Commerce

bettermoo(d) Announces Significant Retail Collaboration with Whole Foods Canada

Vancouver-based bettermoo(d) announces a significant retail collaboration with Whole Foods Market which the company states is expected to result in the availability of its Moodrink product nationwide in retailers across Canada. News of the retail deal closely follows the company’s partnership with United Natural Food Canada through which it gained access to over 5,000 points of sale. Moodrink, its flagship product, is an oat-based milk free from added gums and sugar, offering functional, mood-enhancing ingredients; a “special herbal blend that mimics the delicious dairy products of Europe’s alpine regions, true to the motto “What A Cow Eats and A Human Needs”.” Radical innovator bettermoo(d) states that the product’s USP is its high vegetable protein content and ability to produce barista-quality foam, which it claims sets …

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Whole Foods Market trend report plant-based

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Market & Trends

Whole Foods Market’s 2024 Food Trend Report Emphasizes Plant-Based Innovations

Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council, a collective of more than 50 experts including culinary professionals, buyers, and foragers, has released its highly anticipated annual report, predicting the top 10 food trends for 2024. Every year, the council studies consumer buying behaviors along with emerging and existing brand data to make trend predictions for the upcoming year. The report indicates a strong emphasis on plant-based options, signaling a shift in consumer preferences towards more natural and less processed choices. Cathy Strange of Whole Foods Market commented, “Our annual food trends predictions list is a way for us to pull back the curtain for customers and share insight into what our buyers and culinary experts are keeping on their radar for the upcoming year.” Put the ‘Plant’ …

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PerfectSeason beetroot patties

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Products & Launches

PerfectSeason Launches Award-Winning Clean-Label Alt Meats at Whole Foods UK

Danish company PerfectSeason has secured listings for what it claims are some of the world’s cleanest-label meat alternatives at Whole Foods Market in London. Three varieties will be available — beetroot patties, mushroom patties, and dill cakes. Rather than replicating the taste and texture of meat, the organic products are said to taste of unprocessed vegetables and spices. The aim is to help consumers make vegetables and pulses the main element of their meals, rather than relegating them to a side dish. Two of the products are award-winning, having been named Best Plant-Based Product of the Year by the Danish Vegetarian Association in 2021 and 2022 respectively. “Transparency is not good enough” PerfectSeason was founded in 2018 in Copenhagen, in response to the lack of …

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Konscious Foods fresh sushi

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Products & Launches

Konscious Foods’ Ready-to-Eat Plant-Based Sushi Rolls Now Available at Whole Foods Nationwide

Plant-based alt seafood brand Konscious Foods has announced the introduction of ready-to-eat sushi rolls featuring Konscious Foods’ plant-based seafood in Whole Foods Market’s sushi venues across the United States. These ready-to-eat offerings, including the Tuna California and Spicy Sno Crab rolls, are exclusive creations by Whole Foods Market chefs, showcasing Konscious Foods’ award-winning plant-based seafood.  Konscious Foods was launched last year by plant-based innovator and classically-trained French chef Yves Potvin, who is also the founder of Yves Veggie Cuisine and Gardein. While the company’s product line included frozen plant-based sushi rolls, onigiri stuffed rice snacks, and poke bowls, it has now expanded into convenient ready-to-eat options.  Potvin expressed excitement about complementing the existing frozen product line with these new ready-to-eat sushi rolls, stating: “Working with …

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Natures Fynd Cream Cheese

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Products & Launches

Nature’s Fynd Expands Nationwide Presence at Whole Foods with Dairy-Free Cream Cheese

Nature’s Fynd is extending its reach by introducing its Dairy-Free Original Cream Cheese at select Whole Foods Market locations nationwide. This expansion follows the brand’s successful regional launch of Meatless Breakfast Patties earlier this year and underscores Nature’s Fynd’s commitment to providing sustainable and delicious options for consumers. The Dairy-Free Cream Cheese, crafted with Fy™, a nutritional fungi protein derived from Yellowstone National Park, is now available in Whole Foods stores from the Pacific Northwest to the Rocky Mountains and all the way to the East Coast. This addition to the Nature’s Fynd product line is lactose-free, nut-free, soy-free, and certified Kosher (DE) and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives.  Thomas Jonas, CEO and co-founder of Nature’s Fynd, expressed his excitement for the expansion, stating, …

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Vegan Buffalo Chicken Pizza

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Retail & E-Commerce

New York’s Blackbird Foods Continues Trajectory, Rolls Out More Vegan Pizzas into Whole Foods

Blackbird Foods continues its trajectory of success with the addition of three plant-based pizzas to its line-up at Whole Foods, including its recent product developed with fellow plant-based brand daring, the Blackbird Buffalo Pizza.  Blackbird’s pizzas are already listed at 300 Target stores, and the brand has also launched a line of plant-based chick*n WINGS, available in Buffalo and Korean BBQ flavors. Blackbird’s Margherita, Supreme, and Buffalo frozen pizzas are now launching in Whole Foods’ Southern Pacific region, which includes shops in Southern California, Arizona, Southern Nevada, and Hawaii. The Buffalo, topped with vegan cheese, fresh onions, and daring’s plant-based chicken, launched nationally at Sprouts last spring. With the launch in Whole Foods SoPac, Blackbird is increasing its reach and making its vegan pizza creations …

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Actual Veggie Burgers Expand Report 300% growth

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Company News

Actual Veggies Reports Over 300% Growth in Past Year, Expands into Whole Foods Markets

US veggie burger brand Actual Veggies announces it has achieved a stunning 338.2% growth in the past year, driven by its online presence and expansion into major retailers. The brand will continue its momentum by unveiling new packaging and launching frozen veggie burgers in a new 4-pack format at Whole Foods Markets. Founded in 2020, Actual Veggies has gained a loyal following for its line of clean-label, chef-crafted burgers made with only whole vegetables, grains, and spices. After appearing on the QVC home shopping channel, the company sold $75,000 worth of products in under eight minutes and has since expanded its retail distribution to thousands of major retail locations, including Kroger, Costo, and The Fresh Market.  Actual Veggies reports it earned $1M in revenue in …

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Plant-based sushi by Konscious Foods

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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Konscious Foods: Frozen Plant-Based Sushi by Gardein Founder Enters Whole Foods Stores Across North America

Canadian alt seafood brand Konscious Foods has expanded its plant-based frozen sushi range to all Whole Foods Market locations across North America. The range consists of: Sushi rolls — available in the varieties California Roll, Spicy California Roll, Rainbow Roll, and Tuna Avocado Roll. Onigiri stuffed rice snacks — rice wrapped around plant-based fillings. The snacks are available in four varieties — Kale Gomae, Japanese Vegetable Curry, Roasted Corn + Poblano, and Korean BBQ Mushroom. Poke Bowls — rice topped with plant-based fish, edamame, corn, mango, and sauce. Two varieties — tuna and salmon — are available. The products are said to be made with clean ingredients such as konjac, pea fiber, Jasberry rice, and organic red quinoa. Using patent-pending technology, they can be cooked …

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White Mushrooms

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Ingredients

Chinova Bioworks’ “Game-Changing” Mushroom Preservative Now Approved at Whole Foods Market

Food tech startup Chinova Bioworks announces its clean-label food preservative Chiber™ has become the first mushroom fiber to join Whole Foods Market’s approved ingredient list. Made from upcycled white button mushrooms, Chiber is a natural, eco-friendly extract that extends the shelf-life of a wide variety of food and beverages. As America’s largest natural food retailer, Whole Foods Market runs a rigorous “Quality Standards” program that ensures every ingredient that appears in its stores meets the company’s standards for health and safety.  Following a thorough application process, Chinova reports it received “overwhelmingly” positive feedback from the Whole Foods review team, and the ingredient now features in five listings: Chiber, Mushroom Fiber, Mushroom Derived Fiber, White Button Mushroom Fiber, and White Button Mushroom Derived Fiber. “Whole Foods …

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NY chickpea specialist Banza launches Vegan Deluxe Mac & Cheese into Whole Foods nationwide

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Retail & E-Commerce

Banza Launches Vegan Mac & Cheese Made With Chickpea Pasta at Whole Foods US-Wide

Banza, a New York brand manufacturing chickpea-based foods, has launched a new product — Plant-Based Deluxe Mac — at Whole Foods stores US-wide. This vegan version of a classic favorite is the latest addition to Banza’s plant-based portfolio, which consists of three mac & cheese products, two pizzas, and a rice and chickpea pasta range. The new product is made with plant-based cheddar and chickpea pasta, providing three times more protein and fiber than the leading vegan mac & cheese product and 30% fewer net carbs. Every serving contains 9g of protein and 5g of fiber. Chickpea-based comfort foods Banza, founded in 2014, is the first commercial producer of chickpea-based comfort foods in the US. The company claims to offer the country’s best-selling gluten-free pizza …

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Vegan/ plant-based lasagna meal

©Komo Plant Based Foods

Products & Launches

Canada: Komo Expands Popular Plant-Based Frozen Meals to All Whole Foods Market Locations

Plant-based foods manufacturer Komo Plant Based Foods (CSE: YUM) announces it is expanding its line of frozen meals and meal helpers across all 14 Whole Foods Market locations in Canada.  Whole Foods West will be increasing its Komo frozen food offerings from 3 to 5 SKUs in western Canada, while Whole Foods Ontario will be carrying all 5 meal SKUs, including Komo’s Lasagna, Shepherd’s Pie, and Mac & Greens, each of which features two servings.  Komo’s Meal Helpers range includes BBQ Mushroom Lentil Taco Filling and Walnut Mushroom Bolognese. The new offerings are expected to be on shelves by May 2023.  $1M private placement Based in Vancouver, Komo offers a range of family-sized, ready-to-bake meals intended to provide convenient comfort foods. In 2021, Komo partnered …

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Vegan by Kikka

Vegan by Kikka © Kikka Sushi

Products & Launches

Kikka Sushi Launches Vegan Salmon & Tuna Sushi Into Whole Foods Markets

Kikka Sushi, a partner of Whole Foods Markets for over 30 years, announces the launch of a line called Vegan by Kikka, including vegan salmon and tuna sushi, into flagship Whole Foods Market stores. Kikka states it has embarked on a “five-year mission to create vegan products that satisfy the most discerning tastes with authentic flavors and textures”, starting out by switching out all white sugar for vegan sugar and avoiding bone char in all white rice products. The Vegan by Kikka line debuts with vegan salmon and tuna created with the root vegetable konjac, commonly used in the production of plant-based seafood, and the red algae, agar. The vegan fish offering is proprietary to Kikka and was created through a collaboration between Kikka Sushi …

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Vegan Hard Boiled Eggs

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Products & Launches

Crafty Counter Launches Plant-Based Hard Boiled WunderEggs at US Whole Foods Nationwide

Plant-based innovator Crafty Counter announces its egg-free Hard Boiled WunderEggs are launching into US Whole Foods Markets nationwide. Available in ready-to-eat packs of six, the company claims its products are the first plant-based boiled eggs to be made in the US.  Featuring simple, “closer to Earth” ingredients, WunderEggs are said to look, feel and taste just like chicken eggs while offering a wholesome and nutritious egg alternative. Made with cashews, almonds and coconuts, the nut-based eggs are also free of seven of the top eight allergens. As vegconomist reported in 2021, WunderEggs have a realistic “white” and a “yolk” and include other ingredients like probiotics, coconut milk, agar-agar, nutritional yeast, turmeric extract, and black salt.  Plant-based pivot According to Crafty Counter, 2023 marks the company’s …

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