Before the Butcher pepperoni

© Before the Butcher

Before the Butcher Partners with Rosati’s Pizza and DOT Foods to Expand Plant-Based Pepperoni Distribution

Before the Butcher, a producer of plant-based proteins for foodservice, has announced strategic expansions in its distribution network to increase the availability of its plant-based pepperoni. The expansion includes enhanced partnerships with DOT Foods, one of North America’s largest food industry redistributors, and a collaboration with Rosati’s Pizza for a national product test. The partnership with DOT Foods, a major distributor that handles over 125,000 products from more than 1,000 manufacturers, will significantly extend Before the Butcher’s reach within the foodservice industry. This collaboration marks a notable development since the introduction of the company’s plant-based pepperoni to the foodservice sector last year, initially aimed at retailers enhancing their private label selections. Danny O’Malley, founder and president of Before the Butcher, stated, “Our plant-based pepperoni has …

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Wagamama and Willy's Pies launch mushroom, kimchee, and edamame pie

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Wagamama Partners With Willy’s Pies to Launch Vegan Mushroom, Kimchee and Edamame Pie

Japanese-inspired British restaurant chain Wagamama has partnered with pie brand Willy’s Pies to launch a new plant-based dish — the Mushroom, Kimchee and Edamame Pie. The pie contains king oyster mushrooms, diced aubergine, and edamame beans in a katsu curry sauce. It is topped with kimchee and served with a side salad, along with Wagamama’s raisukatsu sauce. The pie aims to fuse traditional British cuisine with Asian flavours. Wagamama and Willy’s Pies previously collaborated in November to create a chicken katsu pie, and have developed the new vegan option in line with Wagamama’s commitment to a 50% plant-based menu. The pies will be available at 19 selected Wagamama locations UK-wide; a tour truck will also bring free samples to various cities, in celebration of British …

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Students eating outside

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Kent State University Partners with Forward Food, Aims for 30% Plant-Based Meals by 2026

Kent State University in Ohio has announced its plan to increase its plant-based meal offerings to 30% across all dining services by 2026. This initiative, developed in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States’ Forward Food program, aims to enhance the sustainability and nutritional value of food choices available to students on campus. Kent State University’s decision to double the plant-based meal target comes after the university successfully exceeded its previous objective of making 15% of its meals plant-based in its residential dining facilities. Sarah Korzan, a licensed and registered dietician and assistant director of Kent State’s culinary services, says that the shift is part of a move to cater to the diverse dietary preferences of the student population. “With over a third …

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Largest ever Vurger Co. location opens

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The Vurger Co Closes its Doors, Citing Government Failures & “Anti-Vegan Misinformation”

British vegan fast food chain The Vurger Co has closed its doors for the last time, following years of “seemingly endless domestic and international crises”. After launching in 2016, The Vurger Co. opened four locations in total — two in London, one in Brighton, and one in Manchester. The restaurants have served hundreds of thousands of burgers over the years, including to celebrities such as Billie Eilish. The chain also launched a range of sauces for retail at Ocado, Whole Foods, and Co-op, as well as further afield at stores in Los Angeles, New York City, and Dubai. But like most hospitality businesses, The Vurger Co struggled during the pandemic, heightened by what the company describes as “infuriating government policy”. Ensuing crises, such as the …

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Impact Food x Pokeworks

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Pokeworks Expands Partnership with Impact Food, Bringing Plant-Based Tuna to San Francisco and New York

Plant-based seafood producer Impact Food, and Pokeworks, an American fast-casual poke chain, have announced an expansion of their partnership in the US. The collaboration, which initially began with a limited partnership at the Pokeworks location in Irvine, California last June, has now expanded to include all Pokeworks locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, followed by a launch in New York City locations in March. Kelly Pan, CEO of Impact Food, enthused, “Our mission at Impact Food is to revolutionize the food industry by providing delicious, nutritious, and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional seafood. Our partnership with Pokeworks underscores our mutual commitment to a sustainable future where plant-based options are preferred. The launch in New York City and San Francisco is just the beginning.” Impact …

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Vegan Zeastar plant-based seafood pop-up

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Vegan Zeastar Opens Pop-Up Plant-Based Seafood Restaurant in The Hague

Dutch plant-based seafood brand Vegan Zeastar, owned by Vegan Finest Foods, is opening its first-ever pop-up restaurant. The restaurant will be located at Zèta, a vegan cafe at Grote Markt in The Hague, from March 5-10. The menu will feature a range of dishes showcasing Vegan Zeastar’s extensive product range, which includes Sashimi, King No Crab, Shrimpz, and King No Crab Cakes. The meals will be prepared by Zèta’s chefs. The pop-up is for “everyone who wants to try something different, whether it is for the experience, for your health, for the environment, or for the animals”. Those interested in attending can now book a table. “We are excited to host our first pop-up restaurant at Zèta,” said Rosella D’angeli, co-founder of Vegan Zeastar. “This …

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Havredals burger

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Havredals Enters US Market with Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Partnership with Performance Food Group

Havredals, the Swedish producer of plant-based mouldable meats, announced its official debut in the US market. The company has established a vendor agreement with Performance Food Group (PFG), a leading food distributor in Virginia, signaling the start of its product availability across the East Coast of the US, including Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, and more. Havredals’ line-up for the US market features its plant-based beef and chicken burgers, as well as ground beef and chicken alternatives. These products are crafted from a blend of fava beans, peas, and oats, offering a clean label and whole food option for health-conscious consumers. Fava beans are known for their regenerative agricultural benefits, high solubility, emulsifying properties, and high amino acid profile, making them an attractive ingredient option for …

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Tacotarian

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Tacotarian: Winning Over Omnivores with Innovative Plant-Based Mexican Cuisine

Tacotarian is carving out a distinct niche within the Mexican food segment in the United States: 100% plant-based Mexican dishes, using house-made alternative proteins for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Launched in Las Vegas in 2018, Tacotarian’s mission is to redefine and modernize traditional Mexican-American dining, using authentic flavors, seasonings, and cooking methods coupled with plant-based proteins to provide an innovative option that appeals to a broad audience. In fact, the majority of Tacotarian customers aren’t even vegan or vegetarian, with 75% of patrons identifying as omnivores/flexitarians. Modern approach to Mexican cuisine Kristen Corral, cofounder of Tacotarian, told Nation’s Restaurant News, “Our concept is really good Mexican food that just happens to be vegan. When you think of a Mexican-American restaurant, you think of yellow and …

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Barcelona’s UOBO Launches Liquid Plant-Based Eggs for Food Service

Barcelona-based startup UOBO has launched liquid plant-based eggs for food service in a 1-litre bottled format for the Spanish market. The startup says that it has garnered impressive results since its launch on social media platforms, with its first post receiving over 250,000 views in less than 24 hours. In addition, UOBO claims to have already received over 40 requests from interested restaurants, caterers, and distributors. The company’s 100% vegetable whole-eggs are said to adapt seamlessly to traditional recipes while offering great taste. UOBO can be cooked into multiple dishes, including omelets, scrambled eggs, pastries, custard, and mayonnaise. Even though UOBO is described as a nutritious alternative to eggs, the company has not as yet revealed its ingredients on social media.  Making better eggs Founded …

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NFL players invest in robot-powered meat-free restaurant

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NFL Stars Invest in Chipotle Founder’s Robot-Powered Meat-Free Restaurant

Kernel, the robot-powered meat-free restaurant concept created by Chipotle founder Steve Ells, has received funding from two star NFL players. Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (who is vegan) and New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones have both invested in the company, receiving equity stakes in exchange. The first Kernel restaurant is set to open in the Flatiron District of New York City on February 12, at 315 Park Ave South. It will initially focus on lunch, opening from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Kernel previously raised $36 million in Series A funding in August; participants included Raga Partners, Willoughby Capital, Rethink Food, and Virtru. Improved efficiency Kernel aims to address inefficiencies in food service by using a semi-automated operational process, featuring a robotic arm to …

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Image courtesy of ProVeg International

Serving Plant-Based Success on School Plates: Interview with ProVeg UK’s School Plates Programme

“We started in 2018 with one local authority partner in the UK. Six years on we’re working with a quarter of all the local authorities in the UK. That’s about 6,300 schools, over a million meals a day that we’re influencing, and over 12 million meals that we’ve swapped from meat-based to plant-based. So it seems to be working,” says Colette Fox, Head of Programme at ProVeg UK’s School Plates programme. The School Plates programme, run by the UK branch of international food awareness NGO, ProVeg International, has had some striking success. Harnessing the power of behavioural nudges (and, of course, delicious plant-based food), the team is making a big impact in school canteens across the United Kingdom. The scheme is continuing to grow, with …

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Prime Roots

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Prime Roots Partners With Three Little Pigs to Bring Plant-Based Pâté to NYC

Prime Roots, the producer of koji-based deli meats, has partnered with Three Little Pigs, an artisanal charcuterie and pâté maker, to introduce its collection of plant-based pâtés and foie gras to customers in New York City. The range blends traditional French cuisine with the innovative and sustainable ingredients of Prime Root’s plant-based products, including its Black Truffle Koji-Pâté, Harvest Apple Koji-Pâté, and Koji-Foie Gras. These products are developed using koji, a fungi root commonly utilized in Asian cuisines for its umami-rich qualities, which is key to replicating the taste and texture of meat-based products. Founder and CEO of Prime Roots, Kimberlie Le, commented on the launch, saying, “It’s so fun to wow people’s tastebuds with a plant-based koji-pâté, and koji-foie gras that gives people the …

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Dussman partners with plant-based startups

Team members from Dussman and all four startups © BettaF!sh

German Caterer Dussman Partners With Plant-Based Startups for “Diversity Instead of Sacrifice” Campaign

This Veganuary, German caterer Dussmann Food Services has joined forces with four plant-based startups — planted, BettaF!sh, BOONIAN, and Brew Bites — as part of its Vielfalt Statt Verzicht (Diversity Instead of Sacrifice) campaign. Dishes featuring plant-based products made by the startups have been available at around 60 German business canteens throughout the month. Restaurant Ursprung, a sustainable restaurant located in Dussmann’s Berlin-based cultural media store Das KulturKaufhaus, is also participating. About the startups planted uses extrusion and fermentation to make meat alternatives from clean ingredients such as peas, sunflower, and oats. One planted schnitzel emits 87% fewer greenhouse gases and requires 90% less water than its animal-based equivalent. BettaF!sh produces a canned tuna alternative called TU-NAH, made from seaweed, pea protein, and fava beans. …

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NH Foods from Japan will introduce a plant-based tuna sashimi.

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Nippon Ham to Introduce Plant-Based Tuna Sashimi for Food Service in Japan

NH Foods, a Japanese ham manufacturer known in the country as Nippon Ham, is developing a plant-based tuna sashimi for food service. The Japanese firm is marketing and promoting its plant-based tuna sashimi as a reliable and environmentally friendly protein source in the face of potential strain on fishery resources. Last spring, the company expanded into the alt seafood category with two plant-based seafood products — fish fries and popcorn shrimp — also highlighting the sustainability of the new alternatives. However, instead of focusing on retail, the company will launch the new plant-based tuna sashimi exclusively for restaurants this April to learn about consumer preferences and the market. Nippon Ham’s new plant-based tuna sashimi is made from plant-derived ingredients, including konjac flour, dietary fiber, and …

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ALL LEAF NO BEEF TERIYAKI

© Chopstix Noodle Bar

UK Chinese Food Chain Chopstix Noodle Bar Launches No Beef’ Teriyaki Dish in 100 Locations

Chopstix Noodle Bar, operating over 100 locations throughout the UK, has launched a plant-based Teriyaki Beef dish created by Miami Foods called ‘All Leaf, No Beef’ Teriyaki to its stores across the nation in celebration of Veganuary. The noodle bar first launched 20 years ago in the famous Camden Market and now operates locations in almost every major town and city in the UK. The chain launched its first vegan dish — Green Thai Tofu Curry — in 2019, and has since added further vegan options including Pumpkin Katsu Curry and Salt ‘N’ Pepper Potatoes. The new Teriyaki dish entails plant-based ‘beef’ strips with peppers, onions, and Chopstix’ secret recipe sweet Teriyaki sauce. The producer of the vegan beef is London’s Miami Foods, which offers …

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Brakes launches new plant-based products

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Leading UK Food Wholesaler Brakes to Launch Over 50 New Plant-Based Products

Brakes, the UK’s leading wholesale food service company, has started its Veganuary campaign by launching a new range of plant-based products. Called Sysco Simply Plant Based, the range will initially feature five centre-of-plate plant-based options, including a Chestnut & Seed Roast and a Sweet Potato & Red Onion Marmalade Seeded Tart. The product selection will be steadily expanded over the next 18 months, growing to over 50 products including meat alternatives, desserts, and more. The launch of the new range will be supported by a programme helping food service providers cater to consumers taking part in Veganuary. A dedicated section on the Brakes website explains the reasons for getting involved in the campaign, providing recipe ideas, menu templates, promotions, and more. “Veganuary is a great …

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Veganuary billboard times square

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New York City Spearheads Veganuary 2024 in the US With Plant-Powered Menus

In celebration of Veganuary 2024, New York City is leading the charge in the USA, with restaurants across the city offering plant-based specials throughout the month, following a PSA kickoff in Times Square on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Veganuary’s journey in the US began with an advertising campaign in the Boston subway in December of 2017, following a successful campaign in the London Underground the year prior. The initiative has since witnessed a significant rise in popularity. Growing interest in Veganuary By 2022, the US had the highest number of participants among over 200 participating countries, according to Veganuary’s reports. This growing interest is mirrored in the latest YouGov study commissioned by Veganuary, revealing that 71% of US adults are aiming to …

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Vegan fried chicken brand VFC and the plant-based recipe kit startup Grubby, have partnered to offer exclusive chicken dishes for Veganuary.

© Image courtesy of VFC

VFC and Grubby Join Forces for Exclusive Vegan Fried Chick*n Menu for Veganuary

Two leading UK vegan food companies, the famous fried chick*n brand VFC and Grubby, a recipe kit startup, have partnered to offer exclusive high-protein dishes for Veganuary. VFC will be Grubby’s “breaded chick*n partner,” adding three new recipes: Crispy Chicken Burger, Korean Fried Chicken, and Chicken Katsu Curry. The brand’s popular range of fried chicken alternative products will add a protein-rich alternative to Grubby’s healthy fakeaway and street food 2024 menu. The collaboration will expand to provide five new recipes during the year. Alison Reilly, Head of Marketing for VFC, said: “As the leading plant-based meal kit in the market, partnering with Grubby is a fantastic way to convert new consumers to the incredible taste of VFC and realise our mission to spare as many chickens’ lives as …

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Oatly Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

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Oatly Expands US Reach with Rollout at 180+ Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Cafés Nationwide

Oatly (Nasdaq: OTLY), the Swedish oat milk manufacturer, has announced a foodservice distribution agreement with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, a global leader in specialty coffee and tea retail. This partnership marks a notable expansion for Oatly, as its Barista Edition oat milk will now be accessible in over 180 Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf café locations across the United States. Mike Messersmith, President of Oatly North America, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the shared values and commitment to quality between Oatly and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. He comments, “We’re thrilled to bring Oatly to customers of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, an iconic brand that cherishes a great coffee experience just like we do.” This collaboration follows a …

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UK food service outlets launch new Veganuary options

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From Bhajis to Bulgogi: UK Food Service Outlets Introduce New Veganuary Options

As Veganuary gets underway, many UK food service outlets are launching new menu options to cater to customers who are trying a plant-based diet. Here, we take a look at some of the newly introduced dishes. Leon Healthy fast food chain Leon is celebrating Veganuary with an updated plant-based menu. One new option is the Bangin’ Bhaji Wrap, which contains courgette and pea bhajis topped with Kachumber (an Indian salad), crispy onions, and herby mayo. Another new dish is the Rainbow Squash Salad, containing roasted butternut squash, herby mayo, pink kraut, greens, and grains, seasoned with Mediterranean-inspired spices. “Get ready for a line-up of plantilicious dishes that are not only a treat for the taste buds but are a treat for the gut too,” said …

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