Vegan brands partner with football clubs

Karen Carney. © Violife/Cheddar AFC

Company News

Violife & DR.VEGAN Become Latest Plant-Based Companies to Sponsor Football Clubs

Plant-based cheese brand Violife and supplement producer DR.VEGAN have become the latest vegan brands to announce partnerships with British football clubs, with Violife announcing a sponsorship with Cheddar AFC and DR.VEGAN now working with vegan club Forest Green Rovers. Violife has become a sponsor of historical football club Cheddar AFC (based in the UK town from which Cheddar cheese originates) just weeks after launching its “unfeasibly cheesy” plant-based Cheddarton. Through the collaboration, the brand hopes to show how easy it is to eat a plant-based diet. Cheddar AFC players will now sport a cheese-themed strip with a plant-based version of their historic crest, and will be encouraged to adopt a more plant-based lifestyle. Karen Carney, a former professional footballer who played for the Lionesses, will …

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Violife plant-based cheddar

© Violife

Cheese Alternatives

Violife Launches “Unfeasibly Cheesy” Mature Cheddarton in UK Following Extensive R&D

Alt dairy brand Violife has launched what it describes as its best-ever plant-based cheddar alternative, in response to consumer demand for a more mature flavour. Called Cheddarton, the product is said to be “unfeasibly cheesy”, with the same functionality as dairy-based cheddar; it can be melted, crumbled, sliced, or grated. The cheese is also free of the top 14 allergens including soy and nuts, and is fortified with vitamin B12. The launch comes just two months after Violife introduced another new product, Creamy With Garlic & Herbs, in the UK. The cheesy spread builds on the success of the brand’s original cream cheese, and has reportedly been formulated to be even creamier. Last year, a life cycle assessment by Quantis found that Violife’s products are …

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Violife cream cheese with garlic and herbs

© Violife

Cheese Alternatives

Violife UK Launches Plant-Based Cream Cheese With Garlic & Herbs

Violife, which claims to be the UK’s leading plant-based cheese brand, has launched a new version of its popular cream cheese alternative. The new flavour — Creamy With Garlic & Herbs — builds on the success of the brand’s original cream cheese, and has reportedly been formulated to be even creamier. The product is said to be ideal for picnics and barbecues, and can also be spread on bagels or mixed into sauces. The cream cheese is also free of all major allergens and is fortified with vitamin B12. According to Violife, the brand’s range generates less than half the carbon emissions of dairy cheese and requires two-thirds less land to produce. Developing easy swaps Violife offers a wide range of plant-based cheeses in the …

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Violife CMO Brian Orlando

Brian Orlando/ Image supplied by Violife

Interviews

Violife USA: “Our Goal Has Always Been to Bring Great Taste and Outstanding Performance to the Vegan and Dairy-Free Category”

When Violife entered the US market from Europe in 2015, the dairy-free cheese category was still struggling to win over consumers, who rejected the unappealing taste, texture and performance of most vegan cheese products. Initially starting as a small import business, Violife eventually expanded into thousands of US retail locations and launched a range of innovative dairy-free cheeses, from standard Mozzarella and Cheddar to a Parmesan wedge, cream cheese, Colby Jack and Halloumi-style grilling cheese.  Made with clean-label ingredients, the brand skyrocketed in popularity and began to feature in major food service partnerships with chains like Papa Murphy’s pizza, Caribou Coffee and Peet’s Coffee.  As Violife continues to expand its portfolio and reach, in 2023 the company is replacing its slogan “100% Plant Based” with …

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Hemp taquitos

© Planet Based Foods

Products & Launches

Planet Based Foods Debuts New Taquitos, Selects Violife as Exclusive Dairy-Free Cheese Supplier

Planet Based Foods Global  (CSE: PBF) (OTCQB: PBFFF) announces its subsidiary, Planet Based Foods, has chosen Violife as the exclusive plant-based cheese provider for its line of better-for-you convenience foods. Planet Based, which launched the worlds’ first hemp-based meat in 2022, will showcase new taquitos featuring Violife cheese at Natural Products Expo West.  According to Planet Based, as the top-selling dairy-free cheese brand in the US, Violife will supply its dairy-free cheeses for new Planet Based products as they come to market. The two companies’ first product launches are newly formulated taquitos featuring Violife vegan Colby Jack Shreds. The taquitos will be available in two varieties:  Original Taquitos with Cheese – Planet Based Foods’ hemp-based crumble with Violife Colby Jack Shreds wrapped in a crunchy, …

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©Violife

Marketing & Media

Violife Giving Away Limited-Edition ‘Cheese Stadiums’ in Time for Super Bowl

Dairy-free cheese brand Violife is celebrating the upcoming Super Bowl with the release of a first-of-its-kind ‘Cheese Stadium’ experience.  Game Day recipes The deluxe offering comes with a large stadium-inspired tray to hold four cheesy recipes; a booklet with suggested dairy-free cheese recipes that fit within each stadium pocket; and a variety of Violife’s plant-based cheeses. The plant-based recipes featured in the stadium include:   Buffalo “Chicken” Dip with Violife Just Like Cream Cheese and Cheddar Shreds  Mac and Cheese Balls with Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds  Grilled Cheese Squares with Violife Just Like Cheddar Slices  Nachos with Violife Just Like Mexican Style Shreds Fan giveaway Beginning Friday, January 27,  fans can enter to win one of the Violife Cheese Stadiums via the brand’s Instagram page …

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© BURGER KING Deutschland GmbH

Fast Food

Burger King Develops New Breading to Visually Differentiate Plant-Based Products

Burger King Germany launches the Plant-based Long Chicken Cheddar Style in collaboration with Violife, and has developed a new breading to visually differentiate plant-based products from their animal counterparts. All plant-based chicken patties and plant-based nuggets from Burger King are now offered with newly developed breading with green parsley sprinkles in order to differ in appearance from the breading used for animal meat products. Vegconomist will contact BK to ascertain whether this will be rolled out internationally. Separate fryer Burger King says that employees and guests can now easily identify the plant-based products directly at first glance due to the new parsley coating co-developed by Burger King and The Vegetarian Butcher. The chain says the plant-based products are also cooked in a deep fryer used …

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Splendid Spoon

© Splendid Spoon

Delivery Services

Splendid Spoon Partners With Vegan Brands for New Category of Meal Deliveries

US plant-based meal delivery service Splendid Spoon has joined forces with Violife, Dr. Praeger, and Afia for a new category of meals called Dishes. The meals differ from Splendid Spoon’s previous offerings in that they have larger portion sizes. There are six options in the category: Vegan Chick’n Parm Dish with Red Lentil Penne & Green Beans — made with Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds and Dr. Praeger’s Chickenless Breasts. Roasted Cauliflower & Falafel Dish with Za’atar & Lemon Tahini Sauce — contains Afia Falafel. Creamy Korma Dish with Basmati Rice & Fried Tofu. Falafel Dish with Creamy Hummus & Tabouli — features Afia Falafel. Roasted Tomato Risotto Dish with Garlicky White Beans — contains Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie Dish with …

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Heura BREADED CHICKEN

© Heura

Market & Trends

Report Finds That One in Two Spanish Consumers Purchase Plant-Based Products

Violife, NeWind Foods, and the Association of Manufacturers and Distributors (AECOC) commissioned a report about Spanish consumers of plant-based foods, which confirms a growing interest in plant-based meat and alt dairy products in Spain. The study shows that 50% of consumers have recently purchased a plant-based product, and 70% would purchase more in the coming months. AECOC SHOPPERVIEW, AECOC’s consumer research platform, which carried out the report, reveals in the analysis that more than a quarter of Spaniards (26.4%) are plant-based consumers. 54.5% of women and 45.5% of men, aged between 25 and 45 years, living as a couple with minor children and residing in large cities, claim to be ‘veggie,’ meaning they either follow a flexitarian, vegan or vegetarian diet, says the report. Key …

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Violife celebration platter

© Violife

Cheese Alternatives

Violife’s Celebration Platter With “New to Market” Vegan Blue Cheese for Christmas

Violife reveals its Christmas vegan cheese offering for the UK market with the launch of its Celebration Platter which includes “new to market” Vegan Blue cheese and Le Rond Camembert. The new Plant-Based Celebration Platter, retailing around £6, rolls out into Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose including Vegan Blue, a crumbly block with added spirulina “veins” for an authentic look. Vegan Blue can also be found as an isolated product in Tesco for £3.25. The platter also features best-selling flavours Le Rond Camembert flavour, Mature Cheddar Flavour and EPIC Smoked Cheddar Flavour. Earlier this month, Violife parent company Upfield rebranded its food service business from Upfield Professional to Violife Professional, to reflect the company’s dedication to encouraging and supporting the hospitality industry’s increasing demand for plant-based …

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PLNT Violife Juicy Cheeseburger

©PLNT Burger

Gastronomy & Food Service

Violife Cheese Partners With Copper Branch and PLNT Burger for Exclusive New Burgers

Violife, a leading brand of plant-based cheeses, announces it is expanding its foodservice offerings through new partnerships with Canada’s Copper Branch and American vegan burger chain PLNT Burger.  Copper Branch, one of the world’s largest plant-based restaurant chains, is launching the new Benevolent Burger (also called “The Bennie”) on Oct. 3rd. The Bennie will feature a specialty AAA bean patty from British-Columbian brand The Very Good Butchers paired with melted non-dairy cheddar from Violife. “This burger hits all the marks for great flavour and texture, and maintains a focus on clean ingredients, which isn’t always the case in the alternative meat and dairy-free categories, “ said Trish Patterson, Brand Vice President of Copper Branch. “Violife was the perfect partner to join what started as a …

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Dr. Oetker Poland launches vegan pizza

© Dr. Oetker Poland

Products & Launches

Dr. Oetker Poland Partners With Violife for First Vegan Pizza

Dr. Oetker Poland has announced the launch of its first ever plant-based pizza in collaboration with vegan cheese brand Violife. The Feliciana Vegan Verdure Piccante is a plant-based version of the company’s popular Feliciana thin crust sourdough pizzas. It features a slightly spicy tomato sauce, Violife cheddar flavour cheese, mushrooms, tomato, and green pepper. Dr. Oetker said it chose to work with Violife because the brand is the most popular vegan cheese in Poland. The plant-based pizza launched at over 8000 Zabka convenience stores on August 31. It will roll out at other retailers in the second half of September. Vegan pizzas by Dr. Oetker Elsewhere in Europe, Dr. Oetker has launched various plant-based pizzas, including the Margherita Pomodori. This pizza is part of the …

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English Cheesecake Company x Violife

© English Cheesecake Company

Sweets & Snacks

English Cheesecake Company Reformulates Vegan Range in Collaboration With Violife

English Cheesecake Company has updated the formulation of its dairy-free dessert range to include Violife’s vegan cream cheese alternative. The cheesecakes combine a biscuit base with three different flavour combinations — Double Chocolate Cookies & Cream, Vanilla Cheesecake with Lotus Biscoff, and the newly launched Salted Caramel Cheesecake Sundaes. According to English Cheesecake Company, customers have described the desserts as “just as smooth and creamy as a regular cheesecake”, with many saying they would not have known the products were vegan. Violife worldwide Violife has been expanding internationally in recent years, with its cheese now available on all Papa Murphy’s pizzas. Earlier this summer, the brand introduced vegan versions of three classic dairy dips in the US. Violife has also continued to innovate in Europe, …

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Pizza Hut UK

© Pizza Hut UK

Food Service

Pizza Hut UK Offers Vegan Cheese for Delivery Nationwide as Meat-Free Sales Rise by 19%

Pizza Hut UK has partnered with alt-dairy brand Violife to offer vegan cheese for delivery across the country. Violife cheese has been available at Pizza Hut’s dine-in restaurants since 2017, and the partnership has now been extended to the chain’s Delivery Huts following a successful local trial earlier this summer. Customers will be able to swap the cheese on any pizza for Violife’s plant-based alternative. “The partnership gives everyone who enjoys the taste of Pizza Hut the opportunity to have a positive impact on the planet by just simply switching out their dairy cheese,” said Victoria Slater, Head of Violife UK & Ireland. Plant-based at Pizza Hut Pizza Hut has been working to improve its plant-based options for some time — in 2021, it became …

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pizza hut / violife

@Pizza Hut

Fast Food

Pizza Hut Germany Adds Three Vegan Pizzas Following PETA Petitioning

Pizza Hut has been offering vegan options for some years in the UK and US, and now,  following petitioning from PETA, Pizza Hut in Germany has finally followed suit with three permanent vegan pizzas topped with Violife cheese. The options are: Smokey BBQ Vegan, Tuscany Spicy Vegan and Vegan Chik’N’Cheeze, as well as a vegan pasta dish – Creamy Cheeze Pasta Vegan – now available in German branches. PETA states: “Thank you to all the signatories for your support. Together we are expanding the vegan range. Every vote counts – also in the future. Demand determines supply – and supply determines demand. “An increasing number of people every day are eliminating animal products from their diet for reasons of animal welfare and environmental protection as …

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Violife_Vegan_Dips

© Violife

Products & Launches

Violife Veganizes Three Classic Dairy Dips in USA

Violife today announces its expansion into a new category with three plant-based versions of classic dairy dips, launching into Whole Foods locations across the US this Friday, June 24th. The launch entails three top-selling flavors for dairy dips: French Onion, Spinach & Artichoke, and Ranch, which are all free from dairy, nuts, soy, gluten, and preservatives. “Consumers love the taste and convenience of dips, and we are excited to bring Violife’s delicious plant-based take on these classic flavors to life!” said Debra Yoo, Senior Brand Manager at Violife. “We know that these new dips will appeal to consumers across the country, whether they are vegan, dairy-free, or curious about plant-based foods.” Speaking in interview with vegconomist earlier this month, General Manager Andy Reichgut said of …

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Violife Le Rond Camembert

©Violife

Interviews

Violife: “Continuing to Develop Flavors and Formats That Are First-of-their Kind in the Plant-Based Cheese Space”

Violife became part of the Upfield portfolio following the acquisition of Arivia in 2020, creating the largest plant-based consumer food products company in the world. Violife cheeses are available in more than 50 countries and are most widely available in the UK, US, and mainland Europe. We spoke with General Manager Andy Reichgut, who is responsible for building business in US retail and food service channels. Reichgut is a leader in the CPG industry joining Violife from Veggies Made Great®, bringing over twenty years of brand management experience from Mars, Reckitt Benckiser, and Pinnacle Foods.   What is the origin of Violife’s story and how has the brand evolved over the years? Violife was created as a dairy-free alternative to cheese by three friends in Greece …

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change your cheese campaign

© Violife

Sustainability / Environment

Consumers Unaware that Dairy Cheese is Major Cause of Carbon Emissions, According to New Report 

A new study finds that switching to plant-based cheese could cut consumers’ associated climate impact in half, with dairy cheese production found to be one of the largest greenhouse gas generators in the world. The research also revealed that 23% of US adults still do not understand how greenhouse gas emissions and food production are linked.  The study, conducted by Talker Research, consisted of a life cycle evaluation used to determine the environmental impacts of dairy cheese, with the results showing how consumers could lower their associated climate impact by at least 50 percent by opting for alt dairy, highlighting World Economic Forum research that found dairy cheese to be even more carbon-intensive than chicken, pork, or eggs. The findings also revealed that while many …

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make it plant campaign logo

©Upfield

Company News

Upfield’s Global #makeitplant Campaign Will Educate & Encourage Chefs to Focus on Plant-Based

Upfield is to announce the launch of its #makeitplant campaign, at this year’s Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2022 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from May 30 to June 2. Along with its portfolio brand Violife, Upfield intends to encourage and support the hospitality industry with the increasing demand for plant-based food with the new campaign. The #makeitplant campaign aims to ensure consumers have tasty and nutritious food options inside and outside the home, as well as to support and encourage chefs to focus on sustainable and dairy-free alternatives. As part of the campaign, Upfield will provide chefs with an “expansive” range of plant-based options for their menus and there will be dedication for junior and aspiring head chefs on the importance of using …

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Papa Murphy's Dairy-Free Pizza

©Papa Murphy's

Food Service

Papa Murphy’s Introduces Violife Dairy-Free Cheese Across All Locations

Papa Murphy’s, a take-and-bake American pizza company, is offering Violife dairy-free mozzarella cheese as an option on all of the chain’s pizzas. With the new menu addition, Papa Murphy’s states it is now one of the first nationwide pizza chains in the US to serve dairy-free cheese.  Papa Murphy’s operates over 1,300 locations in the US, Canada and UAE, and specializes in freshly prepared pizzas that customers take home to bake. Violife’s award-winning cheese can be ordered online or in-store on any of Papa Murphy’s special recipes or “create your own” pizzas. Plant-based cheese joins the chain’s growing selection of healthy options, including a gluten-free crust. Dairy-free expansion Papa Murphy’s first announced a partnership with award-winning vegan cheese producer Violife in October 2021. At the …

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