USA: Latest Plant-based and Cellular Agriculture Market News from USA on vegconomist

PLNT Burger Partners with Bona Furtuna to Feature Exclusive “Chik’n Parm” Sandwich

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023

PLNT Burger, the plant-based fast-casual eatery by Chef Spike Mendelsohn, has joined forces with premium Italian food producer Bona Furtuna to introduce a limited-edition “Chik’n Parm” Sandwich. The sandwich features Bona Furtuna’s Original Passata Tomato Sauce, which is produced on the company’s Sicilian farm, and it will be served alongside PLNT Burger’s Crispy Herb Fries seasoned with Bona Furtuna’s Cacio E Pepe Blend. Brian Ralph, COO and president of Bona Furtuna, commented, “We are pleased to collaborate with PLNT Burger, sharing our commitment to sustainability and quality. This partnership allows us to introduce some of Bona Furtuna’s products to a wider audience, promoting sustainable choices.” PLNT Burger’s executive chef, Michael Colletti, is the mind behind the creation. The “Chik’n Parm” Sandwich comprises a crispy Meati …

Organisations and brands:

PLNT Burger

Fairs & Events

Yo Egg to Debut Mini Plant-Based Sunny-Side-Up Eggs at Vkind Experience in LA

September 29, 2023

Vegan platform Vkind announces that the Israeli startup Yo Egg will debut mini plant-based sunny-side-up eggs at its forthcoming multicultural food event, the Vkind Experience (VKX). Yo Egg, also based in Southern California, developed the mini-eggs, especially for VKX. The new product will be featured in a custom dish curated by celebrity chef Chris Tucker for the event’s Asian room. According to Vkind, VKX is a comprehensive plant-based food experience that will immerse participants in a multi-sensory world, offering a tour through eleven themed rooms covering 35,000 square feet at Magic Box in Los Angeles. The event is scheduled for the 11th and 12th of November, 2023. This event follows Vkind’s successful vegan cooking competition show Peeled, sponsored by VFC, the famous UK vegan fried …

Organisations and brands:

Vkind

©Novel Farms

Investments & Finance

Novel Farms Receives $999,967 NSF Grant to Elevate Cultivated Meat Production

September 28, 2023

Novel Farms, Inc., a Berkeley-based food technology startup, has secured a significant Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Valued at $999,967 over two years, this grant recognizes Novel Farms’ contributions to the cultivated meat production field, particularly its proprietary scaffolding platform. The platform employs microbial fermentation and tissue engineering techniques and aims to revolutionize cultivated meat production by slashing production costs. Novel Farms claims its technology enables it to produce the marbling and texture of real muscle cuts combined with the ability to scale more efficiently than other cultivated meats due to its highly customizable scaffolds. Dr. Nieves Martinez Marshall, CEO of Novel Farms, commented, “We are proud to be rooted in fundamental research and are grateful …

Organisations and brands:

novel farms

MycoTechnology Research: Widespread Adoption of Plant-Based Protein Powder Among Non-Vegan Consumers

September 28, 2023

New research commissioned by MycoTechnology, a company specializing in mycelial fermentation to make protein powders, shows that a significant number of mainstream consumers, not only vegans and athletes, purchase plant-based protein powder. According to the research conducted by Brightfield Group in Q1 2023, out of 725 users of plant protein powder, only 17% identified as vegans. Meanwhile, the survey found that 46% of participants identified as athletes, although 77% claimed to engage in physical activity at least three times per week. With about a third of the plant-based protein powder consumers identifying as ‘early adopters’ and ‘early majority’ shoppers, the data suggests that using plant protein powder is becoming popular among the general population rather than just a niche market, says the company. Jonas Feliciano, Marketing Director at …

Organisations and brands:

MycoTechnology

Food Service

Impossible Foods Partners with IHOP to Bring Plant-Based Options to Nearly 1,700 US Locations

September 27, 2023

Impossible Foods announces partnership with major American family restaurant chain IHOP to bring its plant-based sausage patties and burgers to a new demographic. Starting today, IHOP outlets nationwide will serve Impossible Sausage patties as part of the classic breakfast menu. For lunch or dinner, guests can opt for an Impossible Burger patty on any of the restaurant’s Steakburgers. This collaboration represents a significant development for both Impossible Foods and IHOP. With nearly 1,700 locations across the United States, IHOP’s wide-reaching appeal among families and diverse diners provides an optimal platform for Impossible Foods to extend its influence. The new collaboration aligns with Impossible’s objective to introduce plant-based offerings to a broader consumer base, including flexitarians and meat-eaters who may have previously shied away from exploring …

Organisations and brands:

IHOP

Impossible Foods

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Lypid Exhibits Flagship B2B Pork Belly Products at Plant Based World Expo

September 26, 2023

Plant-based fat startup Lypid introduces two B2B pork belly products to the US foodservice market: Lypid Smoked Pork Belly and Lypid Braised Pork Belly. These offerings, incorporating Lypid’s proprietary PhytoFat™, were presented at the Plant Based World Expo 2023 in New York City, where Lypid secured first place in “The Plant Base’s Taste Challenge” within the meat category. In April, San Francisco Bay Area chefs tested a version of Lypid’s pork belly alternative, and it also debuted at Baganhood, a diner based in Taipei. Following these trials, co-founders Dr. Jen-Yu Huang and Dr. Michelle Lee officially unveiled Lypid’s PhytoFat™, a plant-based alternative to animal fat made using microencapsulation technology, to US foodservice providers in May. Lypid showcased its new offerings in two distinct dishes at …

Organisations and brands:

Lypid

Company News

TiNDLE Foods Commences North American Manufacturing, Launches into Mr Charlie’s & Neat Burger

September 26, 2023

Singaporean food tech TiNDLE Foods, formally Next Gen Foods, unveils the TiNDLE Breakfast Sausage through a series of foodservice collaborations in the US and rolls out into further UK establishments. This new addition to the company’s product lineup marks its first product entirely developed and manufactured in North America. The TiNDLE Breakfast Sausage aims to deliver the quintessential savory and juicy flavor profile of a classic American breakfast staple but without cholesterol, animal hormones, and antibiotics. Mr Charlie’s launch TiNDLE Foods has chosen to kickstart the launch by collaborating with popular American plant-based establishments. Los Angeles hotspot Mr. Charlie’s now offers a plant-based breakfast menu featuring the TiNDLE Breakfast Sausage and JUST Egg breakfast sandwich as part of its “Frowny Meal.” In the space of …

Organisations and brands:

TiNDLE Foods

Retail & E-Commerce

PlantX Adds UNLIMEAT to Ecommerce Portfolio

September 25, 2023

Plant-based food platform PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA) is further expanding its ecommerce offerings by adding South Korea’s UNLIMEAT to its brand lineup. UNLIMEAT, owned by Korea’s Zikooin Company, specializes in a variety of Korean-inspired plant-based meat products, such as Korean BBQ, pulled pork, tuna, jerky, mandu, rice balls, and frozen Kimbap, made using upcycled ingredients like repurposed grain, rice and soy. Among the products soon to be available through PlantX are UNLIMEAT’s plant-based Korean BBQ, pulled pork, mandu dumplings, and a selection of ready-to-heat products inspired by Korean flavors, including frozen Kimbap and rice balls. Lorne Rapkin, CEO of PlantX, commented on the new distribution agreement, stating, “We are excited to support UNLIMEAT’s US expansion with this new logistics and distribution agreement. The brand …

Organisations and brands:

PlantX

Unlimeat

Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Mooala Meets Consumer Demands with 3 Ingredient Shelf-Stable Plant-Based Milk

September 22, 2023

Organic, plant-based milk producer Mooala introduces the Mooala Simple line, featuring its first three-ingredient, organic, shelf-stable plant-based milk. Mooala launched a line of shelf-stable plant-based milks in 2020, responding to changing consumer preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this new offering aims to address evolving consumer demands for products with simplified ingredient profiles. Jeff Richards, CEO of Mooala, states, “Consumers are reading labels carefully – they are demanding fewer ingredients in addition to organic ingredients; we created Mooala Simple as an elevated product line to address both needs.” The new Simple Oat Milk and Simple Almond Milk contain only three ingredients, with no gums, oils, or other additives. While other Mooala products, including its popular Original Bananamilk, are available at major retailers around the US, …

Organisations and brands:

Mooala

Products & Launches

Motif FoodWorks Launches Plant-Based Beef in Upscale US Convenience Store Chain Foxtrot

September 22, 2023

Boston-based food tech company Motif FoodWorks announces latest retail partnership with upscale convenience store and café Foxtrot. Foxtrot, known for its freshly crafted chef-prepared meals, introduces Motif BeefWorks Plant-Based Beef Grounds as a primary ingredient in its premade vegan taco salad, now served at all 30 Foxtrot locations across the United States. New portfolio of plant-based meats This new partnership comes on the heels of Motif FoodWorks’ introduction of a new portfolio of plant-based meats for foodservice earlier this year, featuring Motif PorkWorks™ Grounds and Motif BeefWorks™ Patties and Grounds. The new line of products is a result of the company’s recent developments in food technology, including two proprietary ingredients, HEMAMI, a heme protein, and APPETEX, a product replicating connective tissue found in animal meat. Motif also announced a partnership this …

Organisations and brands:

Motif FoodWorks

Food Service

Veggie Grill Relaunches Mexican Baja Fish Menu with OmniFoods Golden Fillet

September 20, 2023

Vegan fast-casual chain Veggie Grill announces partnership with OmniFoods, relaunching its Baja Fish menu items with OMNI Golden Fillet, replacing the Gardein Fish Filet. The announcement follows the restaurant chain’s other recent, notable menu additions over the last few months, including steak fajita quesadillas with Beyond Steak and poached egg avocado toast with Yo Egg’s plant-based runny egg. Veggie Grill will feature the OMNI Golden Fillet in three authentic Mexican dishes: Crispy Baja Fish Tacos, Crispy Baja Fish Bowl, and Crispy Baja Fish Burrito. These menu items will be topped with a jalapeno slaw, cilantro, and pico de gallo. The new offerings will be available at all of the chain’s 17 locations across California, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts. This marks OmniFood’s first restaurant partnership in …

Organisations and brands:

OmniFoods

Veggie Grill

Interviews

New Culture: “With Our Groundbreaking Science, Any Cheese is Possible and Can Be Made Completely Animal-Free”

September 20, 2023

Californian animal-free cheese producer New Culture revealed an impressive milestone last month, significantly upscaling its precision fermentation platform, managing to successfully produce enough animal-free casein in a single run to make enough vegan mozzarella for 25,000 pizzas. Since our last interview back in 2019, the startup has received backing from Kraft Heinz, ADM, and biotech giant CJ CheilJedang, for its innovative platform. It was time to catch up with CEO and co-founder Matt Gibson to hear more about New Culture’s string of success. What is New Culture’s mission or long-term goal? New Culture’s mission and long-term goal is to lead the global change to an animal-free dairy future. We’re revolutionizing how cheese is made with our animal-free dairy products that stretch, melt, and taste like …

Organisations and brands:

New Culture

Fast Food

Chunk Foods Partners with Neat Burger to Launch Chunk Steak Sandwich in Manhattan

September 19, 2023

Chunk Foods has unveiled its newest foodservice partnership, this time collaborating with Neat Burger, a vegan fast-casual restaurant headquartered in London UK. The centerpiece of this collaboration is the Chunk Steak Sandwich, now available exclusively at Neat Burger’s Nolita location in the heart of Manhattan. This partnership represents a significant step forward for Chunk Foods, as it marks the introduction of Chunk Steak to the fast-casual dining landscape. Founder and CEO of Chunk Foods, Amos Golan, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We’re thrilled to partner with Neat Burger to introduce the Chunk Steak Sandwich. This marks a milestone as Chunk steak becomes available at a fast-casual dining establishment for the first time.” The Nolita location opened earlier this year, making it the first …

Organisations and brands:

chunk foods

Neat Burger

Gastronomy & Food Service

Shake Shack Transitions to Zero Acre Farm’s Cultured Sugarcane Frying Oil

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023

US burger chain Shake Shack announces its new partnership with Zero Acre Farms, a food company focusing on creating environmentally conscious cooking oil made from cultured sugarcane. The collaboration was announced this morning, coinciding with the kick-off of Climate Week NYC. Two Shake Shack locations in New York City, at Hudson Yards and Battery Park City, will exclusively use Zero Acre oil for frying, replacing traditional soybean oil. Last year, Zero Acre Farms received a series of investments from notable figures like Robert Downey Jr. and Richard Branson, along with further sum from fast-casual chain, Chipotle earlier this year. Cultured sugarcane oil The world currently devotes 20–30% of all agricultural land to vegetable oil crops. But Zero Acre’s mission is to end the food industry’s …

Organisations and brands:

Shake Shack

Zero Acre Farms

Supplied by Eat Differently

Fairs & Events

1000 Drones to Light Up NYC Skyline Advocating Plant-Based Diets

September 15, 2023

A light show powered by 1,000 drones is scheduled to take place against the backdrop of the New York City skyline on the evenings of September 15 and 16, 2023. The event, which is being called “Look Up NYC,” is organized by Eat Differently, and directed by Academy Award-winning director Louie Psihoyos, renowned for his work on “The Cove” and CEO of Projecting Change. Psihoyos stated, “Our creative teams have programmed a thousand drones to dance over the New York City skyline to form magical creatures that deliver messages on how to save the planet—you won’t want to miss this show.” Backed by its collaboration with an extensive list of sponsors and supporters, this artistic display seeks to educate and advocate for plant-based diets through …

Organisations and brands:

Eat Differently

Investments & Finance

The Bettering Company Secures $6.7 Million in for Luxury Vegan Cannabis Edibles

September 15, 2023

The Bettering Company, a Chicago-based luxury cannabis edibles brand, has announced the successful completion of a $6.7 million funding round, propelling its total funding to $11 million. Founded by Mark Cozzi and Drake Nickell, the company is set to launch its THC-infused gummies in the fall of 2023, with initial plans to hit dispensaries across Illinois. The funding, which encompasses investments from experienced venture capitalists, cannabis industry specialists, and consumer packaged goods investors, will be allocated toward two primary objectives. Firstly, the completion of The Bettering Company’s state-of-the-art commercial kitchen facility in Rockford, Illinois, is a priority. Secondly, the company intends to bolster its management team by recruiting top-tier talent in sales, marketing, and food production. The cannabis market In 2022, Americans spent an estimated …

Company News

UPSIDE Foods Announces its First Commerical Cultivated Meat Plant in Illinois

September 14, 2023September 14, 2023

UPSIDE Foods, has officially chosen Glenview, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, as the location for its first large-scale commercial production facility. This 187,000-square-foot plant, named “Rubicon,” will serve as a hub for the production of cultivated chicken products, marking UPSIDE’s first commercial-scale production. Moreover, the company has ambitious plans to diversify its product offerings by expanding into other meat varieties and whole-textured formats in the future. The company states it selected the name Rubicon with an appreciation for its historical significance as a point of no return, reflecting its commitment to redefine the future of food. Several factors drove the decision to establish its facility in this area. Firstly, Glenview’s strategic location offers significant logistical advantages, with major transportation crossroads facilitating efficient production, distribution, and …

Organisations and brands:

UPSIDE Foods

A 3D printer lays down used coffee grounds to make a flower pot

Printed Technology

3D Printing with Used Coffee Grounds to Reduce Waste & Help Eliminate Plastic

September 14, 2023

In a novel initiative led by Michael Rivera, an Assistant Professor at the ATLAS Institute and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, researchers are working on leveraging coffee grounds to reduce waste in 3D printing. Rivera and his team have devised a method for 3D printing various objects using a paste comprising recycled coffee grounds, water, and other sustainable components. The project is perceived as an initial step towards the exploration of alternative eco-friendly 3D printing materials, which could potentially replace conventional plastics. Rivera expounded that the majority of consumer 3D printers in today’s market utilize thermoplastics, with polylactic acid (PLA) being the most prevalent. While PLA is theoretically compostable, only a limited number of composting facilities accept it. “If …

Organisations and brands:

University of Colorado

Politics & Law

Tofurky Continues Pushback on Alternative Meat Censorship Laws in the United States

September 13, 2023

In recent months, a growing discussion has emerged in the United States surrounding the enforcement of alternative meat censorship laws. These laws, designed to regulate the labeling of plant-based and cultivated meat products, have faced legal challenges from advocacy groups and plant-based food companies, with Tofurky, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and the Good Food Institute (GFI) taking the lead in opposing them. In Texas, the governor signed a labeling law for plant-based and cultivated meat in May. This law, which went into effect on September 1, 2023, mandates that products resembling traditional animal-derived items are prominently labeled with their nature as plant-based or lab-grown. Tofurky, represented by ALDF and GFI, has filed a legal challenge against this law, arguing that its requirements are …

Organisations and brands:

Animal Legal Defense Fund

The Good Food Institute (GFI)

Tofurky

Pet Food

Superlatus Announces Planned Expansion into Pet Food Market, Beginning with Baked Plant-Based Treats

September 13, 2023

Superlatus, Inc., a food tech and distribution organization that recently completed a merger with pharmaceutical exchange platform provider TRxADE HEALTH, Inc., has revealed its strategic move to penetrate the global pet foods market, focusing on plant-based, high-protein pet foods and snacks. Notably, following the merger of Superlatus and TRxADE HEALTH, the combined entity made significant strides in the plant-based food industry. They recently expanded their portfolio by acquiring Perfect Day’s Animal-Free Brands through the acquisition of The Urgent Company. Only two days after acquiring The Urgent Company, Superlatus unveiled plans to launch a pulse protein snack in the United States in early 2024 under the recently acquired Brave Robot brand, well-known for its vegan dairy-free ice creams. The expansion into the pet food market will …

Organisations and brands:

Superlatus

The vegconomist-newsletterinformation for decision-makers

The vegconomist-newsletter
information for decision-makers