Washington

A view of the display possibilities of the Proxy Foods' AI platform

© Proxy Foods
Investments & Finance

AI Recipe Formulation Platform “Proxy Foods” Raises $2.3M to Make Tasty & Nutritious Alternatives More Quickly

Washington-based Proxy Foods, a software developer for the F&B industry, has raised $2.3 million in a seed round for its AI platform that promises to solve the most complex challenges in food and recipe formulation more quickly: flavor, nutrition, and sustainability. The round was led by Ted Leonsis, Proxy Foods’ co-founder and renowned sports entrepreneur, and the co-founders of CAVA Group Inc., Ike Grigoropoulos, Ted Xenohristos, and Dimitri Moshovitis.  Investors Anthony Nader and Fredrick Schaufeld from SWaN & Legend Venture Partners, Robert G. Hisaoka from RGH Capital, and industry veteran Richard Ware backed the AI recipe formulation platform in this round. With the new capital, Proxy Foods will expand its team to accelerate product development and innovation and address the evolving demand for tasty, nutritious, cruelty-free, and …

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AVA Summit

Julia Reinelt © AVA Summit
Fairs & Events

Global Leaders in Vegan Advocacy Unite in DC for ‘World’s Largest’ Animal Rights Conference

The Animal & Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Summit, recognized as one of the world’s largest international gatherings for animal rights and vegan advocacy, will convene this May in Washington, DC. The summit draws over 800 dedicated advocates and activists from across the globe, alongside 80+ expert speakers and 35+ industry-leading exhibitors, serving as a platform for the global vegan movement, championing collaboration and shared goals to achieve sustainable progress. Organized by the nonprofit organization AVA International, the AVA Summit has a value-packed program featuring over 60 sessions covering various critical topics essential for advancing animal rights and vegan advocacy. Leaders from Mercy For Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, ProVeg, Faunalytics, and more will offer their expertise in a variety of informative sessions and workshops, empowering attendees …

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Rebellyous Foods nugget

© Rebellyous Foods

Food Service

Rebellyous Foods Expands Into School Cafeterias as Students and Providers Choose Plant-Based Chicken Over Chicken Nuggets

As the new school year approaches, plant-based chicken company Rebellyous Foods expands its reach, with more schools choosing its products. According to the Seattle company, this traction is part of a growing school movement in the USA to provide more plant-based options. But the huge popularity of its nuggets is also part of the reason: as Kristie Middleton, VP, Business Development at Rebellyous Foods tells vegconomist, students have stated a preference for the plant-based option. At the Annual National Conference of the School Nutrition Association, students said they enjoyed Rebellyous Foods’ nuggets more than conventional chicken nuggets. Additionally, school food providers gave the company resounding feedback: “It tastes like chicken.”  “Just a few weeks ago, the team attended the Annual National Conference of the School …

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Odd Burger Plant-Based Big Mac

Famous Burger ©CNW Group/Odd Burger Corporation
Fast Food

Odd Burger Takes First Step into US Market, Signs Deal for 20 Locations in Washington State

Canada’s Odd Burger (TSX: ODD) announces it has signed its first US Area Representative Agreement for the development of 20 locations in Washington State over the next eight years. According to Odd Burger, the agreement marks a significant milestone as it seeks to expand its presence beyond Canada and become established in the US market. Odd Burger seeks to grow exclusively through a territory development strategy, where it sells franchise development rights of each state to Area Representatives who are familiar with the local market and can assist with growth. Area Representatives also secure franchise partners, assist with site selection, construction, and provide ongoing operational support for franchisees.  The company is currently seeking territory developers in 28 states. Multiple expansion plans In the last year, …

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Future of Food Event hosted by Eat Just, GFI, Oatly, Finless Foods and more

Image supplied by Finless Foods
Politics & Law

Eat Just, Oatly and More Visit Washington DC to Promote Better Funding for Alt Protein

On Tuesday, a “first of its kind” all-star delegation, featuring representatives from Eat Just, Finless Foods, Impossible Foods, Next Gen Foods and Oatly, assembled in Washington, DC to advocate for increased government funding and updated regulation of alternative proteins.  The invite-only “Future of Food” event, which also included representatives from the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and The Good Food Institute (GFI), met with policymakers, regulators and media to discuss America’s leadership in building a more sustainable food system.  Among the policies discussed, industry leaders recommended the US government prioritize the following actions:  Invest in the future of food through research, development and consumer education. Create a market and regulatory ecosystem that allows for innovation and maintains US competitiveness. Prioritize good jobs and workforce development throughout …

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No Meat Factory products

© No Meat Factory

Manufacturing & Technology

Canada’s No Meat Factory to Open $20M Production Facility Near Seattle

After a recent $42 million Series B round raise, Canadian plant-based meat manufacturer, No Meat Factory (NMF) has announced it will open its first production facility in the United States to expand its manufacturing capacity.  The Canadian firm will invest up to $20 million in renovations and improvements to reopen a plant in Stanwood, Washington, 50 miles north of Seattle, closed by Twin City Foods in 2017. The new plant is estimated to be operational by the end of 2023, employing as many as 150 workers, the US Department of Commerce said in an announcement.  Plant-based, alt protein products “This site will also produce exclusively plant-based alternative protein products to satisfy our growing partners’ requirements,” commented Leon Bell, founder and COO of No Meat Factory. Founded in 2019, No Meat …

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rebellyous foods plant based chicken range

© Rebellyous Foods

Investments & Finance

Rebellyous Foods Raises $9.5M for Plant-Based Chicken’s “Next-Gen Meat Machine”

Rebellyous Foods, the Seattle startup working to make plant-based chicken affordable, has announced a $9.5 million equity round to build its novel production technology. Founded in late 2017 by former aerospace engineer Christie Lagally, Rebellyous focuses on making plant-based meat better, faster, and cheaper through tech-backed solutions. “Next-gen meat machine” “During a tough economic slump, we are thrilled by this testament to investors’ belief in Rebellyous and price parity as a solution to sustained growth of plant-based meat in the marketplace,” said Lagally, who is also the company’s CEO. Rebellyous will use the significant investment to deploy its breakthrough equipment and build its Mock 2 — “next-gen meat machine”— capable of producing 10K lbs per hour, with one production line controlled by one person to bring …

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Gordon Ramsay

© Gordon Ramsay North America
Food Service

Gordon Ramsay Opens Washington Restaurant With Extensive Meatless Menu

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has opened a new location of his Hell’s Kitchen chain in Washington, D.C. The first to be located outside a hotel or casino, the restaurant is also distinctive in other ways — it is the only one to have a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu. In fact, 60% of the menu is said to be meat-free, featuring dishes such as tofu scallops, beet wellington, vegan butternut-squash risotto, and quinoa salad. The huge 14,800-square-foot location is reported to already be fully booked for the next month. Some may find the vegan-friendly menu surprising, given that Ramsay has often been disdainful of plant-based food and once said he was “allergic to vegans”. However, the chef has been starting to change his tune for …

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Next Level Burger

© Next Level Burger
Food Service

Next Level Burger Opens First Standalone Seattle Location

US vegan burger chain Next Level Burger has opened its second Seattle restaurant. It is the chain’s first standalone site in the city, after the success of the Roosevelt location inside Whole Foods. Based at the Ballard Blocks on 46th Street, the new restaurant is also Next Level Burger’s tenth nationwide. According to the chain, it features vibrant colours, warm, sustainable wood, and an 1800-square-foot dining room with additional patio seating. Takeout is also available, using fully compostable containers. The menu includes favourites such as: Signature Burger — mushroom and quinoa patty, avocado, cheese, and garlic-thyme mayo. Maverick Burger — seasoned Beyond Burger patty, onion rings, tempeh bacon, dill pickles, choice of cheese, hickory BBQ, and special sauce. Chipotle Burger — chipotle black bean patty, guacamole, pickled jalapeños, …

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AVA Summit

© AVA Summit
Fairs & Events

NGO Vegetarianos Hoy Brings Latin Presence to Animal & Vegan Advocacy International Summit in Washington DC

The Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit (AVA Summit) began yesterday October 20th in Washington DC and is taking place until Sunday 23rd. Speakers from all over the world are speaking as to their progress, achievements and proposals for work in animal protection and plant-based food, and Vegetarianos Hoy is there representing Latin America. The Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit or AVA Summit is featuring over 80 speakers, speaking from a climate change, poverty and gender perspective to a live audience of around 1,200 to 1,500 people. On this occasion, the work for animals from Latin America will be represented by the Vegetarianos Hoy Foundation – an NGO that promotes plant-based diets to reduce the suffering of so-called “production” animals – which will be present to …

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HARVEST-BOWL-Vegan Bowls For All

© Veggie Grill
Delivery Services

Veggie Grill Launches ‘Vegan Bowls For All’ Delivery Concept at 29 Locations

Health-forward chain Veggie Grill today announces the launch of a delivery service called Vegan Bowls For All which will operate from 29 Veggie Grill locations in California, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Veggie Grill has partnered with all of the most popular delivery platforms for the new concept, such as Doordash, Postmates, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, to deliver lunch and dinner seven days a week in each area. The fully vegan service debuts with six customizable whole food plant-based bowls, with a wide choice of vegan toppings. Options include: the Cali-Grains Bowl, Korean Kimchi Bowl, Chickpea Curry Bowl, Thai Coconut Curry Bowl, Harvest Bowl and Ranchero Bowl. Salad options are also available for delivery to include the Classic Romaine Caesar, Power Greens Caesar, Catalina …

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Rebellyous nugget

©Rebellyous Foods
Company News

Rebellyous Reveals “World’s First” Vegan Nuggets at Price Parity With Chicken

Seattle’s Rebellyous Foods announces that, following three years of development, the company has produced what it says are the first restaurant-quality vegan nuggets at price parity to poultry, stating that these first iterations will allow the company to eventually outperform animal-based nuggets. Rebellyous, founded by former Boeing engineer Christie Lagally, says the nuggets were created using a proprietary system that will “reinvent” the process of producing vegan meat, fulfilling its original mission to make vegan meat affordable through the use of innovative technology. Reinventing the process of manufacturing plant-based meat The nuggets were created with Rebellyous’ patented novel production equipment called the Mock 1S, which has five patents pending, and according to the company “re-invents the process of manufacturing plant-based meat with continuous, automated, self-contained …

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DC Veg Restaurant Week Logo

©DC Veg Restaurant Week
Fairs & Events

Popular Veg Restaurant Week Coming to Washington, D.C. This Spring

From May 7-14, restaurants across the US capital will celebrate the city’s rich and diverse vegan cuisine during DC Veg Week. The event will bring together top restaurants, from elegant fine dining to neighborhood fast-casual spots, to feature their greatest plant-based dishes.  Participating restaurants include fast-casual favorites Hip City Veg and Shouk, Chef Spike Mendelsohn’s PLNT Burger and upscale farm-to-table establishment DC Harvest. Roscoe’s Pizzeria will serve their famous vegan mozzarella pizzas while the Salvadoran/Mexican El Tamarindo will offer specialty plant-based papusas. Diners will also have the opportunity to try local newcomers BDG’s Ghicken Vegan and DC Vegan. Restaurants can participate in DC Veg Week in a variety of ways, ranging from offering prix fixe menus and discounts to new vegan specialty items. Registration is …

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Rebellyous packaging supermarket

©Rebellyous Foods
Company News

Rebellyous Foods Arrives On East Coast, Wins KeHE On Trend Frozen Award

Rebellyous Foods recently announced it has expanded its award winning plant-based nuggets and tenders into 66 Albertsons locations in the Mid-Atlantic region including Safeway and Acme stores. Rebellyous, whose investors include Clear Current Capital, CPT Capital, Agronomics, Vulcan Capital, and KBW Ventures,  also announces it has received the  KeHE On Trend® Frozen Award. The company reports that over 200 brands applied for the award and a team of judges chose Rebellyous’ plant-based nuggets as best in the frozen category after considering ingredients, innovation, taste, price, packaging, people, and purpose.  “Not only are they kid tested and mom approved, but industry tastemakers agree that our plant-based nuggets are a stand out in the industry,” said Christie Lagally, founder and CEO of Rebellyous Foods. “To boot, Rebellyous …

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Frankie & Jo's Ice Cream Miyoko's

©Frankie & Jo's Ice Cream
Products & Launches

Seattle Ice Cream Brand Frankie & Jo’s Partners with Miyoko’s Creamery for Plant-Based Scoop

In partnership with Miyoko’s Creamery, Seattle-based ice cream brand Frankie & Jo’s has launched a new vegan ice cream flavor. Miyoko’s Butter Toffee & Chocolate ice cream features creamy caramel and bite-sized butter toffee bars, made with Miyoko’s cultured vegan butter, that are dipped in rich dark chocolate.  “Miyoko’s creamery is transforming the animal-free future of dairy and shares our vision of reducing our dependence on animals for our food, our traditions, and our daily lives” Like all its plant-based flavors, the ice cream is available to ship across the US as well as being available in Frankie & Jo’s Seattle-based shops. The ice cream specialist is encouraging customers to use the code “PLANTMAGIC” on Miyoko’s site to get 10% off orders for the month …

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©Rebellyous Foods
Company News

Rebellyous Foods Names Former Beyond Meat Director as Head of Equipment Research and Development

Rebellyous Foods, the Seattle startup working to make plant-based chicken affordable by developing novel manufacturing equipment, announced yesterday that Puvin Pichai, previously of Beyond Meat, has joined the company as Director of Equipment Research and Development. Puvin is a chemical engineer with experience in food and fine chemical process and equipment design, development, pilot scaleup, and technology transfer for commercial manufacturing. Most recently as Director of Process Research at Beyond Meat, Puvin led the Innovation Engineering and Pilot teams where they designed and manufactured novel components, as well as conducted trials to optimize process conditions and produce prototype samples. He previously held a senior management position in directed research and engineering teams at Novus International. He holds a BA magna cum laude in Chemistry from …

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Rebellyous Foods Safeway

©Rebellyous Foods
Products & Launches

Rebellyous Foods Rolls Out Award-Winning Chicken Range in over 200 Safeway Stores

Seattle startup Rebellyous Foods has announced the expanded availability of its award-winning plant-based nuggets, as well as patties and tenders. As of this week, the products will be available at more than 200 Safeway stores in the Pacific Northwest.  “We look forward to bringing the Rebellyion to all four corners of the U.S. and beyond in the months to come.”  Founded by former Boeing engineer Christie Lagally, and backed by the vegan Saudi Prince Khaled amongst other high profile investors, the brand recently pivoted into retail as the consequences of the pandemic took their toll on the foodservice sector. Last month, Rebellyous Nuggets were awarded the New Product Award in the Plant-Based Protein category as part of the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) 2021 sofi™ Awards. …

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Kristie Middleton of Rebellyous

Kristie Middleton, VP of Rebellyous Foods, Image supplied
Interviews

Rebellyous Foods: “By Bringing Affordable Plant-Based Options Into New Markets, We’ll Make Plant-Based Eating More Accessible to Everyone”

Rebellyous Foods will be well known to most vegconomist readers as the chicken industry-disrupting foodtech company backed by the vegan Saudi Prince Khaled amongst other high profile investors. Rebellyous raised $6M in Series A funding in 2020 for its unique technology which produces cost-efficient, realistic chicken alternatives, and last month pivoted into retail with three new products.

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Rebellyous Foods patty

©Rebellyous Foods
Products & Launches

“A New Industry Standard For Taste” – Rebellyous Foods Pivots into Retail With New Products

Rebellyous Foods, the Seattle startup founded by former Boeing engineer Christie Lagally, announces it is adding three new products to its portfolio as it pivots into retail due to the effects of the pandemic on B2B. Backed by the vegan Saudi Prince Khaled amongst other high profile investors, the brand develops innovative technology specific to the plant-based meat industry to reduce production costs.

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