Plantega, the New York brand offering turnkey plant-based deli-in-store solutions, has announced the launch of its first fully self-managed flagship kitchen.
Called Plantega Kitchen & Catering (PKC), the kitchen will provide food for large group orders, corporate catering, and events across New York City. It has been launched in recognition of the fact that many meals in the city are consumed within offices, event venues, and other private institutions.
Described as “highly tech-enabled”, PKC is optimized for both city-wide catering clients and local direct-to-consumer delivery. The launch follows a boom in workplace catering as workers increasingly return to the office.
Plantega says PKC will allow organizations to serve options that are better for people and the planet, helping them reduce their food-related emissions. Additionally, the kitchen will provide a blueprint for the company’s plan to scale its brand and operations outside NYC.
Recognizable brand
Plantega launched in 2021 and offers a fully plant-based menu with 14 items at over 55 NYC bodegas. An expanded delivery menu with more than 40 options is also available.
Over the past few years, Plantega has seen significant growth, indicating that the demand for plant-based food remains strong. The company says it has become “a recognizable brand synonymous with a style of food that symbolizes the culture and pace of New York City”.
Last month, Plantega announced a partnership with plant-based cheese brand Stockeld Dreamery to incorporate the latter’s Cultured Cheddar into 18 of its menu items. Just two months earlier, the company made significant changes to its menu, adding notable plant-based partners such as Karana, Prime Roots, Numu, and Umaro.
“I believe our approach presents an exciting new model that can scale within and outside New York City,” Plantega founder and CEO Nil Zacharias told vegconomist in 2022. “Our approach to disrupting existing structures within the food system is to focus on empowerment. We empower independent stores to embrace the future of food; we empower brands to connect with consumers in authentic ways; and we empower the communities we serve to make more healthy and sustainable food choices.“
