Clive's Purely Plants

VFC Foods has agreed to acquire Clive's Purely Plants, a UK plant-based manufacturer of pies, quiches, rolls, and nut roasts.

Image courtesy of VFC
Investments & Acquisitions

VFC Foods Acquires Clive’s Purely Plants, Set to Increase Annual Sales by 30%

Vegan fried chicken company VFC Foods acquires Clive’s Purely Plants, a UK plant-based manufacturer of pies, quiches, rolls, and nut roasts.  Clive’s Purely Plants is the second brand to join the VFC Foods family this year, less than four months after the successful acquisition of Meatless Farm in June. VFC states that this strategic move marks a substantial expansion that promises to increase the group’s annual sales by an “impressive” 30%.  In 2021, Veg Capital, the UK vegan investment fund launched by Veganuary and VFC founder Matthew Glover, acquired a majority share in the plant-based pies producer that aimed to reach £10 million in sales. “Clive’s perfectly complements our portfolio and enhances our ability to meet this growing demand,” says Dave Sparrow, CEO of VFC Foods. Expansion into the UK …

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Clive's Purely Plants launches twin packs of pies

© Clive's Purely Plants
Products & Launches

Clive’s Purely Plants Expands Into Asda’s Freezer Aisle With Twin Packs of Pies

Clive’s Purely Plants, a UK brand producing plant-based pies and quiches, has announced it is launching twin packs of pies in the frozen aisle at supermarket chain Asda. The pies come in plastic-free packaging and are available in two varieties — chestnut mushroom with creamy tarragon sauce and saag curry with spicy potato and coconut. The launch comes as shoppers increasingly turn to the freezer aisle in search of longer-lasting and more cost-effective options; according to Clive’s, Kantar data indicates that frozen items are currently outperforming chilled products. “We wanted to create something that would be a great family meal, straight from your freezer, without compromising on quality — perfect for two people, no matter how big or small!” said Craig Blackborough, NPD manager at …

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Clive's Purely Plants

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Products & Launches

Clive’s Purely Plants Launches Vegan Sausage Rolls & Tofu Quiche

UK vegan bakery brand Clive’s Purely Plants has expanded its range, launching two new organic products into Waitrose stores across the country. The first product is Vegan Sausagey Rolls with Red Onion Chutney, featuring herb-seasoned plant-based sausage combined with chutney and wrapped in puff pastry. The snack can be eaten hot or cold. The second is the Tomato & Tofu Quiche with Basil and Cracked Black Pepper, an Italian-inspired product described as a “margherita-pizza-style quiche”. The sharing-sized quiche is made with silken tofu and encased in a pastry crust. “Diversity and flexibility” Clive’s initially launched as a vegetarian pie brand in 1986, and has long been a favourite at health food stores. In 2020, the brand announced it was becoming fully vegan, describing this as …

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clive's purely plants quiche and pie products winners of the plant based taste awards 2022

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Fairs & Events

Clive’s Purely Plants Crowned Twice at Plant-Based Taste Awards 2022

Among 21 categories with over 140 products judged in the Plant-Based Taste Awards at London’s Plant Based World Expo this week, Clive’s Purely Plants was awarded not once but twice for its popular vegan pies. The brand’s Organic Red Pepper Harissa Quiche won the Best Plant-Based Deli Product, while its Organic Coronation Chickpea Puff Pie with creamy coconut and apricot won the Best Plant-Based Pie category. Esther Pearson, Clive’s managing director, commented: “I am thrilled that two of our newest products won these prestigious awards. We are all passionate at Clive’s about showing that plant-based never has to mean compromising on taste. We are super proud of the exciting innovation from our recently accredited BRCGS AA Bakery.” Clive’s Purely Plants, formerly known as Clive’s Pies, has been …

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Products & Launches

Clive’s Pies Launches New Vegan Quiches and Pies With Plastic-Free Packaging

UK bakery brand Clive’s Pies is set to launch three new vegan quiches and pies at Waitrose stores. The products are organic and use an innovative type of plastic-free packaging encompassing a compostable transparent window. The new products are as follows: Red Pepper Harissa Quiche with a pumpkin seed crumb Broccoli & Pesto Quiche with cashews, basil, and pumpkin seeds Coronation Chickpea Puff Pie with creamy coconut and apricot Clive’s products are usually packaged in boxes without a plastic window, but the company wanted the toppings of the new quiches to be visible to customers. Technical Manager Emma Chesbrough was able to source a transparent window made from compostable plant-based ingredients instead of plastic, which Clive’s says sets the brand apart from the rest of …

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Products & Launches

Clive’s Purely Plants to Launch at Asda After Being Chosen For Chain’s Incubator Program

UK-based vegan bakery Clive’s Purely Plants has been selected to be part of supermarket chain Asda’s Nurture Programme. The incubator programme helps emerging brands enter Asda stores nationwide. Clive’s range of pies and pastries will soon be available at 72 of the chain’s stores, and shoppers will be able to vote for which products they want to stay. The range includes Clive’s new Creamy Mushroom Puff Pie and Saag Aloo Puff Pie, as well as established products such as the Chickeny Puff Pie and what the brand claims is the world’s first vegan Quiche Lorraine. There are also gluten-free options like the Tomato & Olive Tart, Mushroom & Leek Pie, and Chickpea Tagine Pie. All Clive’s products come in plastic-free packaging. Growth and expansion Clive’s …

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Beefy Puff and Ale Clive's

© Clive's Purely Plants
Market & Trends

UK: Vegan Category Receives Most Entries at British Pie Awards 

After a vegan pie won the top prize at the British Pie Awards two years ago, almost 70 of the pies entered into this year’s competition are 100% plant-based. Hosted in Melton Mowbray – famous for its conventional pork pies – the British Pie Awards has a group of 150 judges who test 800 pies over several categories, with the vegan category this year being the largest. The vegan pie category this year boasted some of the best food innovations, including spicy jackfruit, mushroom and ale, and bombay potato pies.   A survey conducted by alt-meat company Gold&Green Foods this year found that plant-based pies and pastries were the most in-demand for consumers, with 35 percent of respondents wanting more vegan options. UK plant-based pie makers …

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Clive's Purely Plants

Matthew Glover and Esther Pearson ©Clive's Purely Plants
Investments & Finance

Veg Capital Announces Majority Share in Clive’s Pies

Veg Capital, the UK vegan investment fund launched by Veganuary founder Matthew Glover, has completed a significant investment in Clive’s Purely Plants, the Devon-based producer of organic, plant-based pies. Veg Capital will now hold a majority share in Clive’s as it aims to ramp up production 400% and reach £10m in sales.  “This partnership has huge potential to further our mission of replacing animals in the food system, and we’re thrilled to be working together” – Matthew Glover  Known as an innovator of plant-based pies, as well as for its expanding range of vegan baked goods, Clive’s was founded in 1986 by Clive Lowe, who began selling the bakery’s signature ‘Creamy Mushroom Pie’ from the back of his bicycle. In 2020, the much-loved British pie-maker …

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