Plantbased Business Hour

Is Plant-Based a Fad or a Long-Term Trend?  Elysabeth Alfano Interviews Bloomberg’s Deena Shanker

We’ve all seen the Bloomberg article declaring plant-based meats a fad. Author of the article and long-time food reporter, Deena Shanker, joins Elysabeth Alfano on Plant-based Business Hour…and they get into it. Specifically, they discuss Do the grocery store sales figures from 2022 represent the whole sector?  What about food service numbers? Do plant-based foods claim to be healthy or healthier and is a healthier option meaningful for the consumer? Should we consider the environmental benefits that will push adoption and government investment? What about food insecurity and national security benefits that will push government investment and adoption? Is it too early to announce fad vs. trend? Below is a short clip and transcript from their conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content …

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Image: VWS

Fairs & Events

It’s Bloomberg-Gate With a Live Audience: ‘Fake Meat is Dead’ Journo to Join VWS Panel

On 19 January, Bloomberg contributor Deena Shanker penned the now infamous piece, “Fake Meat Was Supposed to Save the World. It Became Just Another Fad,” making vegan blood boil throughout the industry. “Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods wanted to upend the world’s $1 trillion meat industry. But plant-based meat is turning out to be a flop,” stated the piece, and controversy immediately ensued. The article based itself solely on Beyond and Impossible, and was not representative of the industry as a whole, argued many in the business. Backlash In a letter of response, VWS founder Jennifer Stojkovic retaliated along these same lines. “If you’re going to make the assertion that plant-based proteins are a fad based on stock performance, you should take Big Meat’s poor …

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