Pete Speranza, Sarno brothers

© Wicked Kitchen/Good Catch

Company News

Wicked Kitchen Acquired by Ahimsa Companies in Strategic Industry Consolidation

Wicked Kitchen, a global plant-based food brand, along with its associated brands Good Catch and Current Foods, has been acquired by the Ahimsa Companies, becoming part of its plant-based industry consolidation effort.  Pete Speranza, CEO of Wicked Kitchen, stated, “We are aligned in our mission, and we believe that Wicked Kitchen is stronger today and better positioned to serve the health and environmentally conscious consumer who does not want to sacrifice on taste or convenience.” Wicked Kitchen, founded by chefs Derek and Chad Sarno, offers a wide range of plant-based foods, including frozen meal solutions, desserts, ingredients, and snacks. Its products are available in over 20,000 retailers and online, with over 50 products in the US and more than 150 in the UK. Industry consolidation …

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Current Plant-Based Seafood

©Current Foods

Investments & Acquisitions

Wicked Kitchen Acquires Alt-Seafood Brand Current Foods to Expand Global Food Service

Global plant-based foods brand Wicked Kitchen announces it has acquired US alt-seafood startup Current Foods, adding an “exciting growth segment” to Wicked’s portfolio while reflecting the need for consolidation in the plant-based industry, the company states. The all-stock transaction will also strengthen Wicked’s food service capabilities by providing Current Foods’ plant-based, sushi-grade tuna and salmon.  The move marks Wicked’s second merger within a year, following its acquisition of alt-seafood CPG brand Good Catch in 2022. According to Wicked Kitchen CEO Pete Speranza, the merger with Current Foods will bring Wicked new global opportunities, channels and consumers.  “Current Foods is a perfect match for Wicked as a global-impact brand with the same mission and complementary products,” said Speranza. “With this deal and the Good Catch acquisition, we’re …

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Current Foods Vegan Tuna

©Current Foods

Products & Launches

Current Foods Launches Plant-Based Smoked Salmon and Tuna Poke at Berkeley Bowl

Plant-based seafood brand Current Foods announces it has launched its Smoked Salmon and Tuna Poke into Berkeley Bowl market in the San Francisco Bay Area. The debut marks Current’s first retail location, with more stores expected to be added soon.  Described as sushi-grade and “shockingly real”, the Smoked Salmon slices are made from ingredients like peas, algae, potato and bamboo. The slices provide a rich source of iron, B12 and protein, while being free from mercury and microplastics. Current debuted the Smoked Salmon last month at Expo East, and revealed it would be launching at several additional retail partners, including Showfields, Fairway Market and Gourmet Garage in NYC.  Current’s pre-marinated, ready-to-eat Tuna Poke Cubes feature ingredients such as algae, peas, tomato and radish, with a …

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Current Foods plant-based smoked salmon

© Current Foods

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Current Foods to Reveal Sliced Plant-Based Smoked Salmon at Expo East

US alt seafood producer Current Foods is set to unveil its first retail product — sliced plant-based smoked salmon — at Natural Products Expo East in Philadelphia. The salmon, described as “shockingly real”, is made from ingredients such as peas, algae, potato, and bamboo. It is also rich in nutrients like omega-3s, iron, vitamin B12, fibre, and protein. Samples will be available to try throughout the expo. The salmon slices will launch within the next two months at retail partners including Showfields, Fairway Market, Gourmet Garage in NYC, and a major retail group in California. Funding round In June, Current Foods closed an $18 million funding round to finance the retail launch of its plant-based smoked salmon. At present, the salmon is available for the …

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Current Foods Sushi

©Current Foods

Investments & Finance

Current Foods Closes $18M Seed Round to Launch Plant-Based Smoked Salmon into Retail

Alt-seafood startup Current Foods, formerly known as Kuleana, has raised $18M in seed funding to accelerate the production and availability of its premium plant-based salmon and tuna, reports Forbes. The brand intends to launch the smoked salmon product into retail and expand it overseas to the Japanese market.  “The Beyond Meat of Seafood” Using ingredients such as algae, potatoes, peas and bamboo, Current says it uses processes similar to companies like Beyond Meat to recreate the textures of seafood from plants. Its smoked salmon and tuna also offer the protein and omega-fatty acid benefits found in conventional fish but with no cholesterol, more fiber and less sodium, the brand says.  “[We] feel we have invested in the Beyond Meat of seafood,” said Ray Lane, Managing …

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Omakaseed Vegan Sushi

©Omakaseed

Food & Beverage

Omakaseed at Plant Bar Bringing Exclusive Vegan Sushi Experience to NYC

Omakaseed at Plant Bar, a new plant-based sushi concept, will open on April 30 to bring innovative vegan sushi to NYC’s NoMad neighborhood. Created by the team behind the successful Sushi by Bou restaurant brand, Omakaseed will offer intimate omakase-style dining, where all of the meal’s dishes are specially selected by the chef. “Transforming vegan sushi” Omakaseed is being launched as a joint partnership by NYC bistro Plant Bar, hospitality agency SimpleVenue and the Vegan Warrior Project, an organization that connects restaurant kitchens to plant-based delivery concepts.  Led by Michelin-starred chef Roberto Romero,  the seasonal sushi menu will feature plant-based Japanese-inspired dishes like Watermelon Tuna with Pickled Kelp, Vegan Nigiri, and Sunomo Style Pulled Oyster Mushroom Salad. “Each omakase course will incorporate eclectic global flavors,” …

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Expo West 2022 Outdoor Event

©Natural Products Expo West

Food & Beverage

Expo West 2022 Recap – The Top 8 Plant-Based Innovations

Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural and organic trade show, successfully held its first in-person event after a two-year hiatus last week, from March 8-12. The highly anticipated show attracted more than 2,700 exhibitors and 57,000 industry attendees to Anaheim, CA to make personal connections, attend keynote talks and discover the latest innovations in natural food, beverages and ingredients.  Vegconomist was on-site seeking out the most interesting, creative and groundbreaking animal-free products and brands. From realistic vegan bacon and sushi to indulgent pizzas and mochi ice cream, this year’s plant-rich offerings did not disappoint. Out of dozens of exciting new products, we’ve selected eight particularly noteworthy innovations, along with full photo galleries of our favorite finds.  1. Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken – Daring Daring, …

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Kuleana

© Current Foods

Products & Launches

Kuleana Rebrands to Current Foods, Launches Sushi-Grade Vegan Seafood for D2C Market

Kuleana, the “Impossible Foods of seafood”, has revealed it is changing its name to Current Foods. The announcement has been made as the company launches its sushi-grade vegan seafood for the direct-to-consumer market. Current Foods has now opened its early access waitlist for consumers who are looking to buy its plant-based tuna and salmon. The products had previously only been available for foodservice, served at outlets such as Erewhon Market, Poké Bar, Blue Sushi Sake Grill, and Matthew Kenney Cuisine. The sushi-grade vegan seafood is made with ingredients such as radish, peas, bamboo, and algae. Current claims it is the first plant-based seafood to have comparable taste, texture, and nutritional value to the conventional variety. “Since we began our company journey 3 years ago, our …

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