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Beyond Meat Rolls Out Beyond Chicken Pieces at Kroger, Fuelled by Strong Consumer Interest

May 1, 2025

Beyond Meat, has launched its Beyond Chicken Pieces at over 1,900 Kroger stores across the United States. The unbreaded chicken alternative, made from simple ingredients and avocado oil, was introduced in response to consumer demand, following numerous requests on the company’s social media platforms. Beyond Chicken Pieces offer 21 grams of plant-based protein per serving and are designed to provide a healthy alternative to traditional chicken. The product contains just 0.5 grams of saturated fat and no cholesterol, GMOs, hormones, or antibiotics. It is also certified by the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check program and the Clean Label Project for meeting safety and transparency standards. Additionally, it aligns with nutritional programs from organizations such as the American Diabetes Association’s Better Choices for Life. The product’s formulation …

Topics:

Chicken

Retail & E-Commerce

UNLIMEAT Expands US Retail Presence with Plant-Based Korean BBQ Offerings at Kroger

April 30, 2025

South Korean plant-based food manufacturer UNLIMEAT is expanding its US retail distribution through a new partnership with Kroger, the country’s largest supermarket chain. Beginning in May, the company’s Korean BBQ Bulgogi and Pulled Pork Original products will be available in over 300 Kroger-affiliated stores, including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, and Smith’s. The new partnership comes amid continued consumer interest in Korean cuisine in the US, reflected in recent data from Circana showing a 10% increase in Korean restaurant locations over the past year. Michelin recognition for Korean restaurants has also grown, with 16 establishments now holding at least one star, and social media engagement remains high, with Korean food-related hashtags exceeding 15 billion views on TikTok. This rollout follows UNLIMEAT’s earlier entries into other …

woman with food basket at grocery or supermarket

Retail & E-Commerce

New Report by PBFI and Kroger Sees Plant-Based Food Sales Increase for 4th Year, Driven by Health and Price Concerns

October 22, 2024

A new report from the Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI), Kroger, and data insights firm 84.51° reveals a continued shift in consumer spending from animal-based to plant-based foods in the USA, now observed for the fourth consecutive year. The “Plant-Based Migration Analysis”, which studied approximately seven million households between 2022 and 2023, documents a growing preference for plant-based alternatives across key food categories. This research builds on data collected since 2019, offering a comprehensive view of the evolving consumer landscape and its potential implications for retailers. The report highlights a consistent trend: consumers who begin purchasing plant-based foods, or expand their plant-based selections, are steadily reducing their spending on related animal-based products. The categories most affected by this shift include milk, cheese, and fresh meat. …

©Everything Legendary

Retail & E-Commerce

Everything Legendary Burgers Launch at 1,000 Kroger Stores Across US

April 27, 2023

Plant-based burger brand Everything Legendary announces it expanding its burgers to 1,000 Kroger and Kroger-branded stores across 15 states. The company’s burgers can now be found in Fred Meyer, Ralph’s, King Soopers, Smith’s and Mariano’s and more in US Midwest, Southwest and West Coast regions. Founded by Duane Cheers, Danita Claytor and Chef Jumoke Jackson, Everything Legendary gained national notoriety following a 2021 appearance on Shark Tank, where they successfully closed a $300,000 investment deal with Mark Cuban. Within a year, the brand’s burgers, cheeseburgers and plant-based ground expanded to more than 3,000 retail locations, including Publix, Target and Safeway stores. In addition to retail, the company also regularly embarks on food truck tours at festivals and college campuses. Live Nation and investments In June …

©Farm Rich

Products & Launches

Farm Rich Debuts First Plant-Based Mozzarella Style Sticks at Kroger and Walmart

March 1, 2023March 1, 2023

Farm Rich, a leading US brand of frozen cheese sticks, announces it is adding several new snacks to its lineup, including its first-ever Plant-Based Mozzarella Style Sticks. The cheese sticks are now available in the freezer sections at US retailers nationwide, including Walmart and Kroger. Described as an indulgent cheese alternative snack, the new product is made with melty dairy-free cheese in a crispy golden breading and comes with a side of marinara sauce. Each serving includes 4 grams of protein and 5% of daily recommended fiber. According to Farm Rich, it was the first company to introduce frozen mozzarella sticks into grocery stores in 1982. With the new Plant-Based Mozzarella Style Sticks, the brand says it now offers a snack that even consumers with …

Topics:

Mozzarella

©Planting Hope

Sustainability / Environment

Hope and Sesame Expands at Kroger, Becomes ‘World’s First’ Upcycled Certified Plant Milk Brand

February 15, 2023

The Planting Hope Company, maker of Hope and Sesame, announces it has become the ‘world’s first’ plant milk brand to earn Upcycled Food Association (UFA) certification for its organic sesamemilk. The company is also expanding its distribution with Kroger, America’s largest grocery chain, to introduce Hope & Sesame’s new 48 oz refrigerated bottles. According to Planting Hope, The Upcycled Certified Program is the world’s first third-party certification program designed for upcycled ingredients and products. To qualify for designation, products must be made with surplus food or food by-products and contain at least 10% upcycled ingredients. Companies must also have verifiable supply chains and demonstrate a positive impact on the environment. Made from the byproducts of sesame seed oil production, Hope and Sesame’s milk provides 8 …

Topics:

Circular Economy

sesame seeds

Cheese Alternatives

Nurishh Offering $200 in ‘Cream Cheese Credit’ For Consumers Who Switch to Animal-Free Cream Cheese

March 6, 2024February 7, 2023

Nurishh Incredible Dairy, owned by Bel Brands USA, is offering US consumers a $200 financial credit and a chance to win a year’s supply of Nurishh Animal Free Cream Cheese for switching to its cheese. Similar to the use of ‘green’ credits for purchasing solar panels or driving electric cars, Nurishh aims to incentivize consumers to choose its more eco-friendly cream cheese, which features real dairy made without cows. Starting today, bagel and cream cheese lovers can apply for a chance to receive $200 in cash for making the switch to Nurishh, which is the first alternative dairy brand from Bel Brands USA. Developed in partnership with alt-dairy startup Perfect Day, Nurishh Animal Free Cream Cheese offers the same taste and texture as traditional cream cheese, …

Topics:

Cream Cheese

Precision Fermentation

Marketing & Media

Nurishh Offering $200 in ‘Cream Cheese Credit’ For Consumers Who Switch to Animal-Free Cream Cheese

February 28, 2023February 7, 2023

Topics:

Cream Cheese

Precision Fermentation

©JUST Egg

Marketing & Media

As Egg Prices Surge, JUST Egg Runs “Plants Don’t Get Flu” Ads Outside US Supermarkets

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023

JUST Egg is taking a bold, direct message to consumers affected by staggering egg prices and egg shortages in the US. The company is now running digital ads proclaiming “Plants Don’t Get the Flu” outside supermarkets across the country, and printed the message onto a full-page ad in Sunday’s New York Times. Engaging consumers Now appearing on over 800 Volta Charging stations, JUST’s digital ad is located just feet from the entrance of major supermarket chains such as Kroger’s. Displaying bottles of its best-selling liquid scramble, JUST Egg tells shoppers “Plants Don’t Get the Flu” and unlike chicken eggs, its tasty and sustainable products are fully in-stock. On Sunday, the company ran the same message as a full-page ad in the New York Times. According …

Society

New PBFI/Kroger Report Shows Health Remains Top Purchase Driver for Plant-Based Foods

September 11, 2023December 1, 2022

A new report by the Plant-Based Foods Institute and Kroger shows health concerns remain US consumers’ top motivator for purchasing plant-based products. Among other insights, the report also reveals sales of plant-based foods are beginning to slowly displace the purchase of animal products. According to survey data, 54% of consumers said health is their primary reason for purchasing plant-based products, while 49% believe plant-based alternatives are healthier, and 39% like the taste or flavor of plant-based foods. Just over one quarter, or 26%, cited animal welfare as their top motivation, while 23% named environmental concerns. “What is unique about this research, in terms of health, is that we learned specifically that consumers associate chronic illness with animal-based foods versus simply improving their overall health,” Julie …

Topics:

Consumers

Retail

©Actual Veggies

Products & Launches

Actual Veggies Now Available at 1000+ US Locations Following Kroger Launch

November 10, 2022

Actual Veggies, a US brand making plant-based burgers from vegetables, now has a retail footprint of over a thousand stores nationwide following its launch at Kroger. Consumers can find Actual Veggies products at Kroger supermarkets in Cinncinati, Michigan, and Atlanta, and additionally the plant-based burgers are also available at the chain’s subsidiaries Fry’s Food and Drug, Ralphs Grocery Company, Quality Food Center, Mariano’s, Smith’s Food & Drug Centers, King Soopers/City Market, and Fred Meyer. Actual vegetable-based burgers Rather than attempting to imitate meat, Actual Veggies distinguishes itself from other plant-based burger brands by using unprocessed vegetables and legumes as a base. Examples include The Green Burger, made with kale, broccoli, peas, zucchini, and spinach, and The Black Burger, which contains black beans, parsnip, red pepper, …

©Spero

Products & Launches

Spero Launches Sunflower-Based Cheeses at Kroger and Fresh Market Stores

October 29, 2022October 11, 2022

Plant-based brand Spero announces it is launching several of its cheese products at Kroger stores across the US, as well as regional Fresh Market locations. Beginning in November, Spero will debut its Sunflower Cream Cheese at several Kroger-owned markets, including Ralph’s Grocery, King Soopers, QFC and Fred Meyer. The brand will offer two flavors of its sunflower seed cream cheese: The Original and The Herb. The company is also launching into Fresh Market stores in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and Arkansas. It is releasing three products, including The Original, The Herb, and The Goat – a plant-based goat cheese alternative. Cheaper than dairy Founded in 2016, Spero aims to make plant-based dairy products cheaper than traditional dairy by using scalable, efficient ingredients such as sunflower …

Topics:

Cream Cheese

sunflower seeds

Products & Launches

Wicked Kitchen Debuts New Artisan Frozen Pizzas and Entrees at 2,000 Kroger Stores

August 23, 2022August 22, 2022

Global food brand Wicked Kitchen is adding new artisan frozen pizzas and ready-to-heat meals to its expansive range of plant-based products in the US. Now available at 2,000 Kroger stores, the artisan pizzas feature a hand-stretched, wood-fired crust topped with new vegan “motz” – a meltable plant-based mozzarella-style cheese. Each 14” pizza retails for $9.99 in these flavors: The Wicked Meaty Pizza – Nana’s classic red sauce, spicy plant-based ground sausage, PepperNOni, mushrooms, jalapenos,vegan motz. The Saucy Motz Pizza – Nana’s classic red sauce, basil, kale, cherry tomatoes, vegan motz. Rulebreakin’ Rustic Veg Pizza – Special olive-spiked red sauce, peppers, sautéed mushrooms, vegan motz. New convenience meals The company is also rolling out new heat-and-eat entrees inspired by global flavors from Europe to Asia. Each 14 …

Topics:

Frozen Foods

Frozen Pizza

Pizza

©Bon Devil

Retail & E-Commerce

Bon Dévil Launches Two Chilled Desserts Into Harris Teeter

August 19, 2022

Plant-based dessert brand Bon Devil was rebranded this March from its previous name The Collaborative, with the new look and name reflecting its “devilishly un-guilty” products. Following a major retail expansion this May, Bon Devil now launches two desserts into Kroger subsidiary Harris Teeter. Says the brand, “Few mortals can resist the devastating temptation of Bon Dévil’s wickedly delicious coconut-based desserts. Born from the deepest darkest desires of grocery consumers, Bon Dévil comes in 4 different flavors and is 100% plant-based, gluten-free, no evil GMOs, under 120 calories and sin-free. Pure pleasure without the guilt, find Bon Dévil in major US Natural, Conventional and Mass Grocers.” The Choc and Vanilla varieties now launch into Harris Teeter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. which operates …

©Wicked Kitchen

Marketing & Media

Wicked Kitchen Giving Away a Year’s Worth of Vegan Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Month

June 16, 2022June 16, 2022

Wicked Kitchen, a global plant-based foods brand, is celebrating National Ice Cream Month in July with its “Scoop, Snap and Share” promotion. One winner will receive a year’s supply of Wicked Kitchen’s “game-changing” dairy-free ice cream and additional prizes. Elevating ice cream Beginning July 1, the brand wants fans to take a photo or video of any Wicked ice cream pint or novelty in a bowl, cone or recipe. Fans can then post and share the photo/video to Instagram, Facebook or TikTok, using the hashtag #WickedKitchen. All posts in July will be entered to win a year’s worth of ice cream, plus a Wicked goodie box and cookbook autographed by chefs Derek and Chad Sarno. “Elevate National Ice Cream Month by enjoying our amazing, super-duper …

Topics:

Ice Cream

Lupin

Food & Beverage

Wicked Kitchen Launches First-to-Market Lupin-Based Ice Cream in 2,000+ Kroger Stores

April 21, 2022

Wicked Kitchen, a 100% plant-based and flavor-forward global food brand, announces its new chef-crafted ice creams, sticks and cones are now available in 2,200 Kroger and Kroger-owned grocery stores including Ralphs, Fry’s, King Sooper and Fred Meyer. “Extraordinary creaminess” Wicked states the new ice cream, which is made from a unique base of lupin beans, represents the first such product to launch on the US market. Thanks to a proprietary blend of ingredients, Wicked’s ice creams offer exceptional creaminess, mouthfeel and flavor compared to other non-dairy ice cream brands, the company asserts. The products debuting in Kroger and Kroger-branded stores include: Ice cream pints in four flavors – Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough. Chocolate & Almond Sticks – Sweet vanilla plant-based ice …

Topics:

Ice Cream

Lupin

Food & Beverage

In Huge Expansion, Beyond Meat Chicken Tenders Coming to 8,000 New Retail Locations

April 12, 2022

Plant-based meat leader Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND) announces the company is bringing its Beyond Chicken Tenders to 8,000 new retail outlets, significantly expanding the product’s distribution across the US. Starting today, the Beyond tenders are available at select Albertsons, CVS, Sprouts and Whole Foods Market locations nationwide, and are expanding to all Kroger-owned grocery stores throughout April. With its latest growth, the brand says its plant-based meats will be more accessible to more consumers than ever. Award-winning chicken Made from protein-rich faba beans, Beyond Chicken Tenders offer the same crispy breading and juicy flavor as traditional chicken, the brand says. The tenders have 50% less saturated fat than the leading conventional brand of breaded chicken nuggets, with no cholesterol, antibiotics or hormones. The tenders also …

Topics:

Beyond Chicken

Chicken

Food & Beverage

Wicked Kitchen’s “Game-Changing” Lupin-Based Ice Cream Coming to Kroger

March 19, 2022

Wicked Kitchen, a fast-growing vegan food brand, revealed it is launching a line of dairy-free ice cream crafted from lupin beans. Set to roll out in April, the new treats will be available at over 2,000 Kroger and Kroger-owned grocery stores across the US. The line will feature pints in Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough varieties, as well as three specialty cones and bars: Chocolate and Red Berry Cone – A gluten-free maize cone with sweet ice cream, red berry sauce and chocolate chips Chocolate and Almond Bar – Vanilla ice cream and toasted almond pieces wrapped in a chocolate flavored coating Berry White – Sweet vanilla ice cream and swirled berry sauce wrapped in a white chocolate coating with red berry …

Topics:

Ice Cream

Lupin

Company News

Kroger and Impossible Foods Partner to Create Co-Branded Meat Products

March 5, 2022

Kroger, America’s largest grocery store chain, announced on Friday the company will partner with Impossible Foods to create meat alternatives for Kroger’s private label, reports CNBC. Kroger revealed the big news during an investor meeting; a representative for Impossible Foods confirmed the collaboration but declined further comment. Though details are still limited, a co-branding partnership between the two companies could have huge implications for making Impossible’s products more accessible and affordable. Impact on Beyond Meat? The news rattled Beyond Meat’s stock, with shares falling more than 7% in afternoon trading. The event is the latest in a series of financial troubles for the company, which has lost 68% of its stock value over the past year due to increased competition and a slowdown in retail …

Market & Trends

Kroger’s Annual Report Says Plant-Based Comfort Food Will Be a Top Trend in 2022

February 28, 2022January 18, 2022

Kroger, America’s largest grocery chain, announces the company’s fourth annual Food Trends Report, and predicts plant-based foods will once again lead as a top grocery category. Vegan comfort food is trending The report, which forecasts emerging trends and popular products in the upcoming year, says plant-based purchasing is largely driven by consumers’ concerns for the health of the environment. In addition, consumers are seeking out plant-based products for indulgence, comfort, and nostalgia rather than basing their buying decisions on perceived healthiness or health labels alone. In the comfort food category, Kroger offers a plethora of product options, including plant-based cookies, cheesecake, cupcakes, and Mac ‘n Cheese. Cooking from home remains popular Overall, the shift to at-home meal preparation continues to dominate as more consumers turn …

Topics:

Simple Truth

The vegconomist-newsletterinformation for decision-makers

The vegconomist-newsletter
information for decision-makers