Renegade Foods, a Bay Area company specializing in plant-based meats, has announced the addition of three new products to its European-style vegan salami range.
Pulling inspiration from French and Hungarian culinary traditions, the new offerings are designed to offer more diverse options for different taste palates, expanding the company’s appeal to both home cooks and professional chefs.
Iona Campbell, CEO and co-founder of Renegade Foods states, “For more than four years, we have been sharing our love of southern European culinary traditions. Our traditionally fermented and smoked Italian and Spanish-style plant-based salamis have been included on the menus of celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs as well as in the homes of tens of thousands.”
She added, “Recently, Renegade’s culinary explorations have taken us across western and central Europe. In celebration of the decadent flavors of France and the hearty flavors of Hungary, we have created three new styles of plant-based salamis.”
Shelf-stability and consumer trends
Although Renegade Foods launched its first meat-free charcuterie kit back in 2021 through a subscription service, its shelf-stable vegan salami lineup wasn’t actively available until 2023, when it launched its Italian-Spanish lineup. Just months after the launch, the company tripled its production capacity to meet the significant consumer demand.
Campbell has previously noted that “shelf stability would be a game changer, and it is proving to be true,” and there is plenty of data to back that up. Research from Kerry Group shows that 91% of consumers are adopting new shopping habits to reduce food waste, with 72% citing shelf-stable options as a key factor in achieving this. The primary driver of this reduction is a desire to save money, and the secondary is a concern for the environment.
The shelf-stable food sector is experiencing consistent growth, with projections estimating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% between 2024 and 2031. Factors such as convenience, affordability, and accessibility are fueling the expansion.
Western and Central European flavors
The new salamis—Salami Lorraine, Salami Provence, and Salami Budapesti—are currently available in a French-Hungarian Sampler Pack.
- Salami Lorraine: Inspired by the Lorraine region of France, this salami is flavored with red wine and shallots. The company suggests pairings include boule bread, aged cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, and chestnuts.
- Salami Provence: Flavored with French thyme and bay leaf, this salami reflects the traditional herbes de Provence associated with the Provence region. It is recommended to pair with French bread, soft cheeses, pesto, arugula, and olives.
- Salami Budapesti: Featuring flavors of roasted garlic and white pepper, this salami draws on Hungarian culinary traditions. Some of the ideal pairings include flatbread, stews, roasted root vegetables, and creamy cheeses.
Renegade Foods’ new French-Hungarian Sampler Pack, as well as its existing products, are available on the company’s website.
