Children

ProVeg NFH school lunchboxes

Image courtesy of ProVeg International

Food & Beverage

Plant-Based Foods for Back-to-School Lunchboxes: What do Parents and Children Want?

In today’s fast-evolving food industry, meeting the diverse needs of consumers is essential for success. One segment that’s rapidly growing is the demand for plant-based products that appeal to children and are convenient for parents and caregivers. With the back-to-school season in full swing, now is the perfect time for food industry professionals to explore innovative solutions for creating plant-based products that kids will delight in when opening their lunchboxes. How to go about it? In its latest New Food Hub article, NGO ProVeg International discusses the growing demand for plant-based products catering to children’s needs and caregivers’ convenience. ProVeg also provides insights that focus on creating appealing plant-based options for kids by focusing on: Taste and texture Nutrition Allergen-friendliness Convenience Sustainable packaging Kid-centric marketing. …

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BK Germany Spongebob Meal Deal

© Burger King Germany
Fast Food

Germany: Burger King Launches Plant-Based SpongeBob Inspired Bikini Bottom Burger

Inspired by cartoon character SpongeBob (whose home is called Bikini Bottom in the popular series), Burger King Germany launches the Bikini Bottom Burger with vegetable patty and pineapple sauce, available in a standard size or junior deal for kids. The “patty is not a meat alternative … just without meat,” notes BK. Burger King, the pioneer in meat-free burgers in Germany, now offers customers another plant-based alternative, and instead of imitating the taste of beef, chicken, or fish, the fast food chain has developed a new vegetable patty product. It consists of salsify, beets, other vegetables, and herbs, is tender on the inside but firm to the bite in consistency and crispy on the outside, according to the chain. In the Bikini Bottom Burger, the …

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Chartwells K12 plant-forward meals

© Chartwells K12
Food Service

Chartwells K12 Reports Huge Popularity for Plant-Foward Meals in US Schools

US school food service provider Chartwells K12 has revealed the top ten most popular meals among K-12 students in the last academic year, with several plant-forward options making the list. In first place is the Homemade Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, part of the Veg Out program launched by Chartwells last year. The program features more than 120 vegetarian and vegan meals, and was launched after a survey found that 1 in 3 students rated meat-free options as extremely or very important when choosing school lunches. Additionally, 37% said they would eat school lunches more often if there were better vegetarian and vegan options. In fourth place is the Spicy Basil Tofu Stir Fry, which ranked highly in Chartwells’ Student Choice program (where students sample …

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ProVeg NFH family

Image courtesy ProVeg International

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Family-Friendly Plant-Based Foods Must Focus on Ease, Convenience, and Versatility

There’s no doubt about it – plant-forward eating practices are becoming more popular, but not just among teenagers and adults; this dietary shift extends to all life stages, including children. A recent study found that almost half of children in Berlin, Germany, rarely or never eat meat. The investigation found that 47% of children in Berlin most often eat a flexitarian and vegetarian diet. Meanwhile, 26% of Berlin families follow a flexitarian diet and 18% of parents would feed their child a veggie diet.[1] The case is similar the world-round, with many parents open to welcoming more plant-based foods onto the plates of their young families. Although many meat- and dairy-eating children want to reduce their consumption of animal products, be it at school or …

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Impossible Burger School Lunch

© Impossible Foods
Society

Impossible Foods Coming to More US Schools As Middletown, CT Adds Burgers to Menu

Impossible Foods announces Middletown Public Schools, a Connecticut district comprising 4,800 students, will soon add plant-based Impossible Burgers across its school menus.  The move comes after the district tested the burger with students at Middletown High School, 75% of whom reportedly gave the burger positive feedback, reports NBC Connecticut. According to Randall Mel, Middletown Public Schools’ food services manager, the district now hopes to expand it across all of its schools over the next few months.  “Most of the students actually said if it wasn’t labeled as the ‘Impossible Burger,’ they wouldn’t have known that it was meatless!” Mel commented. “Most of them said they would be willing to eat it multiple times per week.” Made for lunches Middletown Public Schools also offers Meatless Monday …

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Else Plant-Based Formula

©Else Nutrition
Products & Launches

Else Debuts Full Infant and Child Nutrition Line at Fresh Thyme Markets

Else Nutrition (OTC: BABYF) announces it is launching its full range of Baby, Toddler and Kids Nutrition products at all 71 Fresh Thyme Market stores. The company’s plant-based nutrition products will be available in ten states, including IL, IA, WI, MN, MO, IN, MI, OH, KY and PA. Fresh Thyme will offer Else Toddler, Toddler Omega, Kids Nutritional Drink in Chocolate and Vanilla, as well as three flavors of Baby Super Cereal. “At Fresh Thyme Market, we are committed to offering our customers real food at low prices, helping people live better and healthier lives,” said Liz Zolcak, President of Fresh Thyme Market. “Else’s plant-based food is a natural fit and will help meet our shoppers wherever they are on their wellness journey. We couldn’t …

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VFC Kids Chick-n_Stompers

© VFC
Company News

VFC Announces “More Meat-Like” Recipe, New SKUs, and First Product For Kids

UK vegan chick*n / food activism brand VFC announces a new, “more meat-like” recipe, new Chick*n Tenders and Spicy Fillets, and its very first product for children, which rolled out into Sainsbury’s 6th Nov. The new core recipe — offering a crispier, crunchier southern-fried cornflake coating, higher protein and less salt — will be applied to the full VFC range, which will now include Original Recipe Crispy Chick*n Tenders and Spicy Fillets. VFC states that its proprietary cutting-edge extrusion technology successfully mimics the juiciness, texture and flavour of animal chicken. Concurrently, VFC announces it will see brand coverage increase tenfold throughout 2023, with new listings in Ocado and increased distribution across Sainsbury’s, surpassing 3,200 distribution points in total. The products, recently voted Best New Vegan …

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Beyond Moo Kids Oatgurt

©Beyond Moo
Products & Launches

Canada’s Beyond Moo Debuts Single-Serve Oatgurt for Kids

Eat & Beyond Global Holdings Inc., an investment issuer focused on alternative protein, announces Canadian portfolio company Beyond Moo is expanding its product line with a single-serve oatgurt beverage for kids.  Made from 100% Canadian oats, the new oatgurt is a dairy-free, gluten-free yogurt drink that is low in sugar and provides healthy probiotics, calcium and vitamins. Available in cherry and vanilla flavors, the kid’s oatgurt comes packaged in a portable on-the-go format. Beyond Moo sells a full range of non-dairy yogurt, kefir, cream cheese-style spreads and butter. All of its products are made without dairy, gluten, nuts, soy, preservatives or artificial flavors.  Drinkable format “The drinkable format means that it’s easy to toss into kids’ lunchboxes or take on the go,” said Yulia Weber, …

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Else Nutrition Super Cereal for Babies

©Else Nutrition

Retail & E-Commerce

Else Nutrition Launches on Amazon Canada Following 84% Growth on Amazon US

Else Nutrition began sales on Amazon Canada yesterday as part of the company’s Canadian market launch announced this June. Else reports that, in its Q2 2022 financial results, sales increased by 84% quarter-on-quarter and the number of regular subscribers on the platform doubled from 1,000 to nearly 2,000. The launch includes a range of Canadian-targeted products with bilingual packaging, including an infant formula, children’s shakes in vanilla and chocolate flavours, and Supper Cereals for babies 6 months and older in several flavours to follow. Ms. Hamutal Yitzhak, founding member and CEO of Else Nutrition, says, “We are extremely excited about our entry into the Canadian market and think Amazon.ca will cover an essential component in our growth strategy in Canada, as it did in the …

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Amara Organic Foods

©Amara Organic Foods
Studies & Numbers

Over Half of Parents Want to See Their Children Eat More Plant Proteins

A survey conducted by baby food company Gerber has found that 55% of new parents in the US want to see their children eat more plant proteins. Additionally, two-thirds of parents would like their infants to try new foods, but 55% said they found it difficult to come up with flavourful, nutritious meals. The child’s preferences, lack of knowledge about nutrition, and cost were cited as the main challenges. A huge 83% of respondents were worried that their children weren’t getting enough nutrients due to picky eating, while over half (55%) said they had a child who was reluctant to try new foods. Despite these challenges, parents said their children ate five meals per week containing plant-based proteins. 39% had given their children alt-protein products, …

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© Oatly
Society

Oatly Ad Campaign Depicts Kids Smuggling Oat Milk Into School

Oatly has launched an ad campaign along with a public survey with the aim of rallying support at European level for the inclusion of plant-based drinks in the European Union’s school fruit, vegetables and milk programme. The ads are running in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, across digital and socials, with the video portraying children smuggling cartons of oat milk into schools with the caption: “Should kids have to take it into their own hands? Include plant-based milk in the school milk scheme!” 76% said plant-based food at school could lay foundations for a sustainable life The campaign seeks to harness public support for the definitive inclusion of plant-based alternatives in the EU school scheme. 92% of respondents in the survey …

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Kiki Milk Children Photo Plant-Based

© Kiki Milk

Investments & Finance

PlantBaby Secures $4M to “Create Positive Change for Children’s Health”

PlantBaby, a company producing innovative children’s nutrition products, announces it has raised $4M in seed funding from a lineup of investors including Big Idea Ventures, The Fund LA, and actress Daniella Monet, among others.  First organic kids’ milk  PlantBaby is developing a portfolio of products to support the nutritional journey from infancy to adulthood. The brand’s debut offering, Kiki Milk, was launched as the first organic plant-based milk designed specifically for kids. Introduced in 2021, Kiki Milk comes in Original and Chocolate varieties and features a plethora of nature-inspired whole foods such as organic oats, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and coconuts. The beverages also contain a proprietary blend of superfood powders made with organic blueberries, spinach and Aquamin, a multi-mineral complex. Kiki Milk was developed with …

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Else Girl with Product

©Else Nutrition
Company News

Else Nutrition Enters Canada After Conquering USA

Else Nutrition announces today it will formally launch its plant-based infant and child nutrition in the Canadian market this July following two years of “solid growth” in the US. The publicly listed company is set to distribute and sell three flavors (original, mango, banana) of its Super Cereals for Babies, two flavors (chocolate and vanilla) of its Plant-Based Shakes for Kids, and a Plant-Based Toddler Formula, throughout retail and online channels. Continued success Else has seen astonishing success since its initial launch and is widely available in mainstream retail throughout the US. Just last month, the female-led company launched its first cereal product for babies, receiving its first US Clean Label Certification, and successfully completed a second preclinical study on its Plant-Based infant formula, marking …

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Else Girl with Product

©Else Nutrition
Company News

Else Successfully Concludes 2nd Preclinical Trial of Plant-Based, Soy-Free Baby Formula

Else Nutrition, the baby, toddler and children nutritional company, announces it has successfully completed a second preclinical study on its Plant-Based infant formula, marking a critical new phase for bringing its innovative 0-12 month infant formula to market.  Made without soy, Else’s product seeks to fill a major gap in the global $70 billion infant formula industry for dairy-free and clean-label alternatives. In the second trial, Else’s study showed proper protein efficiency in preclinical models, a significant finding that demonstrates the formula’s protein bioavailability with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies.  Ongoing shortage The company’s announcement is a welcome development in unprecedented times, as the US continues to face a severe shortage in baby and toddler formula supplies. In the week …

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School Children Cafeteria Lunch

©WavebreakMediaMicro - stock.adobe.com
Society

Illinois Schools, Which Serve Nearly 2 Million Students, Will Begin Offering Plant-Based Lunches

Under a new law, children in Illinois will have access to plant-based school lunches for the first time. House Bill 4089, recently signed by Governor JB Pritzer, mandates all Illinois school districts to provide plant-based meals that meet federal nutrition guidelines. Scheduled to take effect on August 23, 2023, the law is expected to set a precedent for other school districts across the US.  Helping students thrive Sponsored by State Representative Cyril Nichols of Chicago and State Senator Dave Koehler, HB 4089 requires schools to offer plant-based meals on request, and accommodate other religious dietary restrictions, such as kosher and halal. According to its sponsors, the legislation aims to ensure students have access to healthy and affordable meals.  “Well-rounded, nutritious parts of all kinds are …

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2FITBRANDS_BrownieBites

©2FITBRANDS
Sweets & Snacks

Latina Women-Owned 2FIT BRANDS Launches Healthy Vegan Brownie Bites

2FIT BRANDS, based in Virginia USA, has introduced a third healthy snack to its popular product line. Brownie Bites are vegan, gluten-free, and low sugar. The healthy treats join the current product portfolio including Chocolate Peanut Butter, Vanilla Crunch and a 2FIT sample pack.    According to Colombian-born entrepreneurs Nathalia Rojas and Marcela Charry, 2FITBRANDS is one of the fastest-growing healthy snack food firms in the US, progressing in three years from production in their home kitchens to Amazon sales that increased 830% YOY last year. The vegan snack company launched in 2019 with Vanilla Crunch and Chocolate Peanut Butter varieties. “People are loving the products and you can find our Chocolate Peanut Butter and Vanilla Crunch Protein Bars at LifeTime health clubs around the …

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Else Nutrition Super Cereal for Babies

©Else Nutrition

Products & Launches

Else Nutrition’s Super Cereal for Babies Receives First US Clean Label Certification

Else Nutrition, which develops plant-based nutrition for babies and toddlers, announces the launch of its first cereal product, Super Cereal for babies. Made to provide a sustainable, dairy-free alternative to conventional baby cereals, Super Cereal was certified heavy-metal safe by the Clean Label Project Purity Award.  Super Cereal is designed for babies six months and older and offers a nutritionally complete product that is organic, plant-based, and free from gluten and soy. Made from whole ingredients like buckwheat and almonds, it also provides 20+ essential vitamins, iron, quality proteins, fats and carbs with low sugar content. Else says the cereal is available in four flavors that can be easily prepared by mixing with warm liquids (breast milk, formula or water.)  First to be certified According …

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iglo pea grinder

©iglo

Products & Launches

Iglo Germany Introduces Vegan Baked Fish and Kids Chick*n Dinos to Green Cuisine Range

From May, iglo / Birds Eye’s plant-based Green Cuisine product line will see two new offerings in Germany: vegan “Oven Baking Fish” and “Chicken” Dinos for children. The Green Cuisine, which first launched in Germany in January 2020, covers several European markets and offers affordable supermarket options for plant-based and flexitarian consumers. The line is also popular in the UK where it was launched with a £2 million ad campaign in 2019 and where the line was supplemented last year with three new plant-based chicken SKUs. The oven baked fish consists of rice and wheat proteins and is labelled with Nutri-Score B. The most recent plant-based fish product launch follows the success of the brand’s plant-based fish fingers, a vegan version of the hugely popular …

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Gerber Plant-tastic Plant-Protein Baby Food

©Gerber
Food & Beverage

Gerber Launches Plant-Tastic – Its First Line of Organic, Plant Protein Toddler Foods

Gerber, a leader in infant and early childhood nutrition, announces the debut of Plant-tastic – the brand’s first full range of organic plant-based toddler foods. Created to offer a richer source of plant protein, the Plant-tastic line features pouches, snacks and meals made with nutrient-dense beans, whole grains and veggies. The products can be purchased online through Amazon, Walmart and other retailers.  According to Gerber, a new generation of parents is seeking to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diet, with research by FMI showing 81% of households with children are now including plant-based protein in their meals. In addition, the latest US Dietary Guidelines now recommend legumes as part of a healthy diet for children 2 and under. Plant-tastic can help parents follow these …

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Kiki Children's Plant-Based Milk Flavors

© Kiki Milk
Products & Launches

Kiki Milk Launches “World’s First” Organic Vegan Milk for Kids

PlantBaby, a direct-to-consumer nutrition company, announced today it is launching Kiki Milk, the first organic plant-based milk made exclusively for kids.  Developed with pediatrician Dr. Joel Warsh and nutritionist Vicki Kobliner, RD, the new products offer a clean-label plant-based milk option that is rich in protein and nutritionally complete. Founded in Hawaii by husband and wife Alex and Lauren Abelin, PlantBaby and Kiki Milk were created after the couple searched unsuccessfully for a healthy non-dairy and non-soy formula for their son. Their research led them to discover the existence of a massive market gap for children’s plant-based milks. The couple started PlantBaby as a nutrition-focused company that would develop organic, plant-based formulas, supplements and beverages designed for children’s health needs.  Transparent ingredients As the first …

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