Squeaky Bean expands frozen range

© Squeaky Bean

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Squeaky Bean Launches Frozen Ingredients Range Featuring Chicken & Steak-Style Products

UK alt meat brand Squeaky Bean has launched its first frozen ingredients range, featuring two products — Seasoned Chicken Style Pieces and Steak Style Strips. Seasoned with salt and pepper, the plant-based chicken pieces can be used as a base for dishes such as curries and pasta. The steak-style strips aim to fill a gap in the market for premium frozen steak alternatives, and can be used in meals such as stir-fries and tacos. Both meat alternatives can be cooked from frozen in just three minutes, catering to the growing demand for convenient options that reduce food waste. Made from wheat and pea protein, they are protein-rich and low in saturated fat. According to Squeaky Bean, the frozen products are “just the start of a …

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© Tesco

Retail & E-Commerce

Frozen Vegan Products to See Over 40% Growth as Christmas Approaches

Research by UK retail sales insights firm Reapp has found that sales of frozen vegan products are likely to grow by over 40% in the lead-up to Christmas. As reported by Grocery Gazette, vegan food sales will reach almost £2 million over the festive season, with some consumers moving away from traditional options such as turkey and many increasingly focused on healthier foods. Previous data from Reapp, published earlier this year, found that volume sales of frozen meat alternatives had risen by 14.55% compared to 2022. Every month except January saw higher sales than the same month the previous year. Supermarket chain Tesco significantly expanded its frozen plant-based range at the beginning of 2023, reporting that consumers were increasingly choosing frozen products to save money …

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Clive's Purely Plants launches twin packs of pies

© Clive's Purely Plants

Products & Launches

Clive’s Purely Plants Expands Into Asda’s Freezer Aisle With Twin Packs of Pies

Clive’s Purely Plants, a UK brand producing plant-based pies and quiches, has announced it is launching twin packs of pies in the frozen aisle at supermarket chain Asda. The pies come in plastic-free packaging and are available in two varieties — chestnut mushroom with creamy tarragon sauce and saag curry with spicy potato and coconut. The launch comes as shoppers increasingly turn to the freezer aisle in search of longer-lasting and more cost-effective options; according to Clive’s, Kantar data indicates that frozen items are currently outperforming chilled products. “We wanted to create something that would be a great family meal, straight from your freezer, without compromising on quality — perfect for two people, no matter how big or small!” said Craig Blackborough, NPD manager at …

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Quorn vegan sausage rolls with technology for visually impaired consumers

© Quorn

Products & Launches

Quorn Expands Frozen Range & Adds Codes for Visually Impaired Consumers to Packaging

Mycoprotein-based meat alternatives brand Quorn has added a new product — Mini Vegan Sausage Rolls — to its frozen range in the UK. “The new Mini Sausage Rolls are our first snacking launch in the frozen category and a great opportunity for retailers to provide more vegan options around social occasions and seasonal events. We expect the product to perform particularly well around the peak seasons of summer picnics and Christmas party season,” said Gill Riley, Marketing Director at Quorn Foods UK. The sausage rolls are the first of 42 Quorn products to carry NaviLens QR codes, which allow blind and visually impaired consumers to listen to the product’s ingredients, preparation instructions, and recycling information on their mobile devices. The codes can be read by …

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Dr Praegers California Veggie Fries

© Dr Praeger's

Products & Launches

Dr. Praeger’s Unveils Veggie Fries – the “Only” Frozen Fries with a Full Serving of Veggies

According to veggie-forward brand Dr. Praeger’s, the average American eats 29 pounds of fries per year* and would like to eat more vegetables than they do currently**. The frozen food producer also states that most US consumers struggle to get vegetables into their diet due to concerns about their taste and uncertainty over how to prepare them. In response to this universal love of fries coupled with the general lack of vegetables in the US diet, Dr. Praeger’s has launched a line of veggie fries which it claims to be the only frozen fries that contain a full serving of vegetables. The product debuts in two flavors —  California Veggie Fries and Cauliflower Broccoli Veggie Fries – and are Kosher, Certified Vegan, Certified Gluten Free, …

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Vegan Buffalo Chicken Pizza

©Blackbird Foods

Products & Launches

Blackbird Foods Partners with Daring to Launch Buffalo Plant Chicken Pizza

New York City’s Blackbird Foods announces it is partnering with plant chicken leader Daring Foods on its latest pizza offering – Blackbird Buffalo Pizza.  Launching exclusively at US Sprouts Farmers Markets, the new frozen pizza will feature Daring’s Breaded Plant Chicken Pieces.   The Buffalo Pizza is described as “pizzeria” quality, and includes a New York-style hand-tossed crust topped with spicy buffalo sauce, vegan cheese, fresh onions and Daring’s Breaded Plant Chicken. According to Blackbird, the pizza makes a quick and convenient meal with a baking time of just eight minutes. “We are thrilled to partner with Blackbird to create our new exclusive Buffalo Plant Chicken Pizza,” says Founder and CEO of Daring, Ross Mackay. “It’s exciting to see two beloved plant-based brands with a similar …

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Sunday Supper Cheese Ravioli

© Sunday Supper

Products & Launches

Sunday Supper Adds 3 “Decadent” Vegan Meals to Its Frozen Line, Including Three Cheese Ravioli and Spinach Manicotti

Plant-based foods brand Sunday Supper announces it is expanding its line of premium frozen entrees with three new launches: a Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Three Cheeses Ravioli, and a Ricotta and Spinach Manicotti w/ Bechamel. Also featuring vine-ripened tomato sauce, all three entrees will be available through Sunday Supper’s website and retailer GTFO It’s Vegan beginning March 10.  The new launches build on the “viral” success of Sunday Supper’s debut products – Three Cheeses and Italian Sausage Lasagna – which first launched into Fresh Market stores across the US in 2022. The brand’s latest rollout includes: Cheese Ravioli – With a creamy almond-based ricotta, vine-ripened tomato sauce and plant-based parmesan (MSRP: $16.99) Wild Mushroom Ravioli  – Features a rich, umami-packed flavor with a mix of shiitake, …

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Vegan/ plant-based lasagna meal

©Komo Plant Based Foods

Products & Launches

Canada: Komo Expands Popular Plant-Based Frozen Meals to All Whole Foods Market Locations

Plant-based foods manufacturer Komo Plant Based Foods (CSE: YUM) announces it is expanding its line of frozen meals and meal helpers across all 14 Whole Foods Market locations in Canada.  Whole Foods West will be increasing its Komo frozen food offerings from 3 to 5 SKUs in western Canada, while Whole Foods Ontario will be carrying all 5 meal SKUs, including Komo’s Lasagna, Shepherd’s Pie, and Mac & Greens, each of which features two servings.  Komo’s Meal Helpers range includes BBQ Mushroom Lentil Taco Filling and Walnut Mushroom Bolognese. The new offerings are expected to be on shelves by May 2023.  $1M private placement Based in Vancouver, Komo offers a range of family-sized, ready-to-bake meals intended to provide convenient comfort foods. In 2021, Komo partnered …

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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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Vegan Lasagna

©Sunday Supper

Food & Beverage

Sunday Supper: On a Mission to Redefine Frozen Food with Premium Plant-Based Lasagna

While plant-based frozen foods continue to expand in number and diversity, few have entered the segment of premium, family-size entrees, and even fewer offer plant-based versions of popular Italian favorites, like lasagna.  Now, food startup Sunday Supper is working to change that by launching a gourmet line of authentic, ready-to-eat vegan Italian entrees, starting with its flagship frozen lasagnas.  Co-founded in 2021 by Richard Klein and Maleeda Wagner, Sunday Supper states it is on a mission to redefine the $38B frozen food category by providing healthy plant-based options that don’t compromise on taste or quality.  Chef made To create its first products, Three Cheese and Italian Sausage Lasagna, the company worked with award-winning Italian chef Celestino Drago, who added his culinary skill and family traditions …

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Strong Roots Entrees

© Strong Roots

Products & Launches

Strong Roots Debuts ‘Good Made Easy’ Frozen Line with 14 Plant-Based Entrees

Plant-based frozen foods brand Strong Roots announces it is launching ‘Good Made Easy’ – its first line of single serve frozen entrees. Coming to US Whole Foods in 2023, the new range boasts 14 innovative meal options.  According to Strong Roots, the ‘Good Made Easy’ range is only made from whole plant, clean label ingredients. Each meal is portioned for individual eating and the entrées can be conveniently prepared in under 5 minutes. Nutritionally, the meals, which contain less than 450 calories each, are low in saturated fat, sugar and sodium and provide up to 24 grams of protein. Most also provide a good source of fiber. The flavors include: Thai Green Veg Curry Greek Orzo Pasta Bake Veggie Masala Chickpea And Red Lentil Saag  …

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vegan butcher section at Carrefour

© Verdali

Company News

Brazilian Verdali and Carrefour Open New Vegan Butcher Section

Brazilian plant-based meat specialist, Verdali has partnered with hypermarket giant Carrefour to offer its products at a designated vegan butcher section next to the fresh meat counters at one of the supermarket’s locations in São Paolo. The company claims to be the first company with plant-based certification in Brazil. In the last two years, it has launched a range of plant-based meat alternatives made with peas, soy, and chickpeas. The company describes its products as the new natural flavour of vegetal meat, nutritious and healthy. It is worth mentioning that the company says its packaging uses bio-based recyclable plastic. Verdali commented on the new vegan butcher section: “This innovative proposal aims to serve consumers who prefer plant-based proteins focusing on democratization by having the products exposed …

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Dr. Praeger's New Expansion

©Dr. Praeger's

Company News

Dr. Praeger’s Foods Opens New Headquarters in Saddlebrook, NJ to Accomodate Growth

Plant-based frozen brand Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods announces it has opened new headquarters in Saddle Brook, NJ to grow its team and business.  According to the company, the new space is designed to foster collaboration, creativity and connection, and comes equipped with state-of-the-art IT and a test kitchen. The new offices will accommodate larger teams as the brand seeks to meet current and future growth. The new headquarters follows the company’s appointment of CPG veteran Andy Reichgut as CEO in July.  New leadership Founded over 25 years ago, Dr. Praeger’s sells a wide range of frozen and chilled products such as veggie burgers, sausages, nuggets, and breakfast foods. This summer, the brand partnered with Texas-based fast-casual chain Genghis Grill to offer plant-based chick’n and sausage in the chain’s …

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© Hilton Food Group

Facts & Figures

Hilton Food Group Sees Vegan & Vegetarian Category Increase 40%

Hilton Food Group recently reported that its vegan and vegetarian category grew 40% in the first half of 2022. Over a three-year period, Hilton’s total revenue rose 20.4% to £2,038.7M. Hilton Foods is a company that processes, packs, and distributes meat and other protein products to UK and supermarkets, including Tesco.  According to the company, the rise in plant-based sales has been fuelled by flexitarian and vegetarian trends demanding alternative protein options. But with the continued disruption in global supply chains and rising inflation, Hilton says it has concerns for future profits. “In the first half of the year, Hilton has further strengthened its position as the international protein partner of choice. We have continued to focus on our strategy of diversification and differentiation, driving a further …

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Wicked Kitchen Frozen Pizzas

© Wicked Kitchen

Products & Launches

Wicked Kitchen Debuts New Artisan Frozen Pizzas and Entrees at 2,000 Kroger Stores

Global food brand Wicked Kitchen is adding new artisan frozen pizzas and ready-to-heat meals to its expansive range of plant-based products in the US. Now available at 2,000 Kroger stores, the artisan pizzas feature a hand-stretched, wood-fired crust topped with new vegan “motz” – a meltable plant-based mozzarella-style cheese. Each 14” pizza retails for $9.99 in these flavors:  The Wicked Meaty Pizza – Nana’s classic red sauce, spicy plant-based ground sausage, PepperNOni, mushrooms, jalapenos,vegan motz. The Saucy Motz Pizza – Nana’s classic red sauce, basil, kale, cherry tomatoes, vegan motz. Rulebreakin’ Rustic Veg Pizza – Special olive-spiked red sauce, peppers, sautéed mushrooms, vegan motz. New convenience meals The company is also rolling out new heat-and-eat entrees inspired by global flavors from Europe to Asia. Each 14 …

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©THIS

Products & Launches

THIS Launches New Range Into Fast-Growing UK Frozen Plant-Based Meat Category

THIS is launching into a new category with a range of frozen plant-based food products. With claims to be the UK’s fastest-growing alt meat company, THIS is expanding into the also fast-growing vegan frozen food segment with a range of products aimed at younger audiences and driving market growth. The new frozen range includes: THIS Isn’t Chicken Tenders, THIS Isn’t Pork Sausages and THIS Isn’t Chicken Nuggets, now available via Sainsbury’s stores across the UK. Through its own market research, THIS has found its brand and range of chilled plant-based products over-index with younger audiences, including pre-family and young professionals, so it states its new frozen products will be aimed at attracting more younger audiences into the frozen category. The products use a similar combination …

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Number 3 in the world's 10 best vegan frozen foods

Roncadin's Pizza Margherita. Image courtesy of abillion

Food & Beverage

abillion Announces World’s 10 Best Vegan Frozen Foods of 2022

Sustainability platform abillion has revealed its annual list of the world’s best vegan frozen foods. The list has been determined by product reviews and consumer sentiment, featuring figures from 74 countries, 6,000 products, and 2,000 brands. The top ten products globally are as follows: Le Patatine Orginali (McCain Foods, Canada) Tapas De Empanadas (Ailutap, Argentina) Pizza Margherita (Roncadin, Italy) Ristorante Pizza Margherita Pomodori (Dr Oetker, Germany) Pizza Vegan Margherita (Amy’s Kitchen, United States) Pizza con Salsa di Pomodoro (Vemondo, Germany) Gyozas with Spicy Vegetables & Tofu (VITASIA, Germany) Vegan Pizza Rúcula & Tomate Seco (Hacendado, Spain) Polpettine Vegetali A Base Di Soia ( Esselunga Equilibrio, Italy) Plant Based Burrito Bowl (Tattooed Chef, United States) Similarly to 2021, pizza dominates the list, taking half of the …

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The Vegan Kind

©The Vegan Kind

Retail & E-Commerce

The Vegan Kind Launches Plant-Based Frozen Section

UK online retailer The Vegan Kind has launched a new frozen section stocking the biggest names in plant-based food. Extending its offering to now include ice cream, frozen pizzas, meat alternatives, as well as frozen organic fruit and vegetables, the company looks to solidify its status as “the home of all things plant-based grocery”. With more and more plant-based producers looking to the frozen aisle for expansion, The Vegan Kind frozen launch now allows shipping of frozen products direct to customers. The brands now stocked in the online retailer’s frozen section include Beyond Meat, Naturli’, VFC, Clive’s Pies, and Moving Mountains, to name but a few.  To celebrate the frozen launch, The Vegan Kind is currently offering 15% off all frozen products. The move follows …

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Harmless Food Berkano Foods

©Berkano Foods

Products & Launches

Berkano Foods Partners with Countdown Supermarkets to Launch New Zealand’s “Most Affordable” Vegan Meals

Berkano Foods, the New Zealand plant-based brand, has launched phantom brand Harmless Food Co in partnership with Countdown supermarkets. Berkano has developed a proprietary alt chicken for the launch of the new range in Countdown with the goal of reaching price parity with conventional chicken.  Founded by Kiwi entrepreneurs and Forbes 30 Under 30 listees Britteny Bryan and Nicholas Harlow, Berkano Foods specializes in DTC frozen vegan ready meals and has launched Harmless Food Co using its new alt chicken development. Harmless is a phantom brand, meaning not quite a private label, but manufactured exclusively for Countdown with Berkano retaining full ownership. There are four SKUs in the new Harmless Food Co range all priced at NZD$8.00 (USD$5.30) available now. Last year saw Berkano move …

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Sacred Serve Tiger Nut Gelato

©Sacred Serve

Food & Beverage

Sacred Serve’s Superfood Vegan Gelato Comes in First 100% Recyclable Ice Cream Cartons

Sacred Serve, a Chicago-based non-dairy gelato brand, is an independent company singlehandedly changing the definition of healthy and sustainable ice cream. Founded in 2017 by Kailey Donewald, Sacred Serve specializes in organic, superfood vegan gelato that comes in the world’s first zero-plastic, 100% biodegradable ice cream cartons. Its products can be found at a growing number of US retailers, including Whole Foods Market, and can also be shipped online.  Handcrafted, healing ingredients On a mission to bring “function intro frozen indulgence”, Sacred Serve crafts its gelato from young Thai coconut meat – a high-fiber ingredient that provides a rich and creamy texture without the need for gums or stabilizers. Thai coconuts are also an excellent source of electrolytes, MCT’s and other potent minerals and nutrients. …

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