Ben & Jerry's Vegan Oatmeal Ice Cram

©Ben & Jerry's

Products & Launches

After 10 Years, Ben & Jerry’s ‘Most Requested’ Oatmeal Ice Cream Re-Launches with Partake Cookies

Ben & Jerry’s announces it is bringing back its long-sought-after ice cream flavor, Oatmeal Cookie Chunk, as an all-new non-dairy dessert: Oatmeal Dream Pie. Created in collaboration with Partake Foods, the new ice cream features Partake Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies and will soon appear in US stores as a full-time dairy-free addition.  Ben & Jerry’s discontinued the fan favorite Oatmeal Cookie Chunk in 2012; since then, the Vermont-based company has reported it as its most commonly-requested flavor by fans. The new Oatmeal Crème Pie features Partake’s allergy-friendly oatmeal cookies combined with marshmallow swirls. The dessert is certified vegan and will retail for an MRSP of $5.99 – $6.49 per pint. “Foodie fans can rejoice this new version of our nostalgic offering,” said Flavor Guru, Chris Rivard, …

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Nepra Egg White Replacer

©Nepra Foods

Products & Launches

Nepra Foods Launches Commercial Production of Egg White Replacer for Baking

Colorado-based Nepra Foods announces it has begun commercial production and in-plant trials of its Essential brand Egg White Replacement Powder (EPB-ER1), a proprietary egg white replacer for wholesale bakeries. According to Nepra, which produces a range of nutritious and allergen-friendly foods, the plant-based powder is intended for producers who want to remove or reduce eggs in an existing product formulation.  Lowering costs While most plant-based egg products on the market replace the taste and texture of whole cooked eggs, such as scrambled eggs, Nepra’s EPB-ER1 is designed for commercial bakers that use a chicken-based egg white powder, but are looking to switch to an animal-free alternative.  Egg white powder is an important ingredient for large bakeries, which often rely on the unique structural and binding …

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bags of plant-based chocolate NXT

© Callebaut

Products & Launches

Callebaut’s Plant-Based Chocolate NXT for Chefs and Artisans Arrives in Saudi Arabia

Callebaut, the Belgian gourmet chocolate division of The Barry Callebaut Group, recently launched its plant-based chocolate ‘Callebaut NXT’ in Saudi Arabia. NXT is a 100% plant-based, dark and ‘milk’ chocolate line specially curated for chefs and artisans. According to research by Barry Callebaut, plant-based chocolate is showing a rapid growth in interest, especially among young people. Across the Middle East, plant-based food demand is rising, including desserts which have tremendous importance in the food culture. Callebaut’s NXT has reinvented Belgian gourmet chocolate to make vegan, plant-based, allergen-free, and planet-friendly desserts and chocolates made worldwide. NXT chocolate creations in Riyadh As part of its market launch strategy in Saudi Arabia, Callebaut held an event at the Marriot Hotel in Riyadh to demonstrate NXT’s wide range of possibilities. …

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Cacao-free chocolate bars

© WNWN Food Labs

Sweets & Snacks

WNWN Launches Vegan Version of Daim Bar, the ‘All-Free’ Waim! Bar

WNWN Food Labs, a London-based maker of cocoa-free chocolate, will launch a limited release of its new chocolate Waim! bar, an ‘all-free’ version of the iconic European candy Daim bar.  WNWN’s Waim! bar is dairy-free, gluten-free, palm oil-free, caffeine free, and vegan. “Our new bar is our take on an iconic European candy bar, but without the catastrophic impact on people and the planet,” the company states.  Early this year, WNWN launched a bean-free vegan chocolate claiming it was the first of its kind to arrive on the market. CEO and co-founder Ahrum Pak, commented: “Our chocolate habit is contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, soil erosion, CO2 emissions, child slavery, and unfair trade practices.”  How is cacao-free chocolate possible? For centuries, powdered carob pods have been …

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Jack & Annies Vegan Buffalo Chicken

©Jack & Annie's

Products & Launches

Jack & Annie’s Expands Jackfruit Chicken Portfolio with New Crispy Patties and Gluten-Free Tenders

Jack & Annie’s, which specializes in producing jackfruit meats, announces it is expanding its plant-based chicken portfolio with three new frozen products: Crispy Jack Patties, Buffalo Jack Patties, and Crispy Gluten-Free Jack Tenders. The new items are now available at US grocers nationwide, including Sprouts, Publix, Wegmans, Giant and Stop & Shop. Made with real jackfruit, a nutrient-dense plant known for its meaty texture, the new lineup features the same juicy flavor that has made Jack & Annie’s a fan favorite, the brand says. Products include: Crispy Jack Patties – Crispy and lightly seasoned patties that can be enjoyed on a bun or on their own Buffalo Jack Patties – Zesty flavor with hints of vinegar and butter  Crispy Gluten-Free Jack Tenders – Delicious gluten-free …

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daiya flatbread

© Daiya

Products & Launches

Daiya Launches “First-Ever” Plant-Based & Allergen-Friendly Flatbreads

Daiya today introduces its latest innovation — plant-based flatbreads — debuting in Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Fig; Tomato, Sunflower Seed Pesto, & Arugula; and Meatless Italian Sausage style crumbles, Roasted Pepper, & Kale flavors, in Canada and the US. Inspired by an Italian trattoria experience, the company claims the launch to be the first-ever plant-based and allergen-friendly flatbreads on the market. The products feature Daiya Cutting Board Cheeze Shreds on a thin gluten-free crust. Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Fig — Features mushrooms and caramelized onions plus sweet fig and kale, topped with a creamy garlic sauce and Daiya mozza and feta-style cheeze. Meatless Italian Sausage Style Crumbles, Roasted Pepper & Kale — With meatless Italian sausage style crumbles, sweet and smoky roasted yellow peppers, leafy …

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Fresh Bellies Gluten-Free Vegan Snacks

©Fresh Bellies

Sustainability / Environment

How Fresh Bellies is Using Drought-Resistant Sorghum to Build a Multi-Million Dollar Snacking Empire

As severe drought continues to impact the US supply of wheat and cotton, one snack brand is championing the use of an ancient, sustainable grain that requires little to no water to thrive. Healthy and Earth-friendly Fresh Bellies, founded by entrepreneur Saskia Sorrosa, makes healthy puffed snacks using sorghum – a drought-tolerant grain that is also low in fat, gluten-free and rich in protein and fiber. Fresh Bellies, whose range includes snacks for preschoolers and toddlers as well as adults, says its products are some of the first vegan, non-GMO offerings to feature the eco-friendly “super grain.” The brand uses sorghum in its new Groovie Veggie Bites, a puffed snack available in a variety of flavors including Broc ‘n Roll, Shroomtastic and Turn Up the Beet. …

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Whoa Dough Airline Cookie Bars

©Whoa Dough

Tourism & Travel

American Airlines Now Offering Plant-Based Whoa Dough Cookie Bars in First Class

American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, is now offering Whoa Dough plant-based cookie bars for first-class passengers on domestic flights.  Whoa Dough’s popular gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor will be included in first-class passengers’ meal baskets. Made without artificial ingredients, Whoa Dough bars are crafted with allergy-friendly foods such as whole-grain oat and chickpea flour. Each bar contains 150 calories, 4 g of protein, 5 g of fat and is free from dairy, eggs and soy. The brand is also certified kosher and non-GMO.  Whoa Dough’s full range includes five additional flavors: Sugar, Sugar Sprinkle, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Brownie Batter, and a variety pack. The brand was founded by Todd Goldstein, who sought to create healthier gluten-free snacks for himself and two …

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Snack brand Livia's

©Livia's

Company News

UK Snack Brand Livia’s Bought by S-Ventures After Going Into Administration

British free-from snack brand Livia’s has been bought by London investor S-Ventures after falling into administration. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £1.4 million for the year ending September 30 2020. Until 2020, Livia’s experienced rapid growth of 150% YOY. The company was the UK’s fastest-growing free-from snacks brand, raising over £1 million in a crowdfunding campaign 18 months ago. With listings at major supermarkets Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, and Ocado, founder Olivia Wollenberg told vegconomist in 2021 that the brand was “unstoppable”. Impact of Covid-19 Despite its previous success, Livia’s was hit hard by the pandemic, as many of its sales come from meal deals, impulse buys, and on-the-go snacks. Livia’s had been valued at £11.3 million following its crowdfunding campaign, but the company …

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crave pickled onion monster feet

© Crave

Products & Launches

Crave Launches Vegan Smokey Bacon & Pickled Onion Monster Feet Snacks

British free-from snack brand Crave has launched two new products — Pickled Onion Monster Feet and Smokey Flavoured Streakers. Both snacks are made with maize and are free of gluten, corn, milk, eggs, and lactose, as well as being suitable for vegans. According to Crave, they taste as good as or better than their mainstream equivalents. Crave joins other UK companies such as confectionery brand Hancock’s in launching new snacks in time for Veganuary. The salty snacks are now available via TheVeganKind’s online supermarket. The growth of vegan snacks The market for vegan snacks is growing fast and is expected to be worth $73 billion by 2028. To cater to rising demand, many companies are launching plant-based versions of traditionally non-vegan snacks, such as Outstanding …

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The Very Good Butchers

©The Very Good Butchers

Products & Launches

The Very Good Butchers Announce Gluten-Free ‘Butcher’s Select’ Range of Plant Meats

 The Very Good Food Company Inc. recently announced the upcoming launch of a gluten-free range called the Butcher’s Select line,  extending its reach to the estimated 30% of North Americans who avoid gluten, as well as over 50% of US households who are now purchasing plant-based foods. Additionally, as a reflection of its commitment to sustainability, The Very Good Butchers reports that it will use 90% renewable packaging for the new Butcher’s Select line. “At The Very Good Food Company, we’re on a mission to prove that making very good food choices doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor,” said Mitchell Scott, co-founder and CEO of The Very Good Food Company. “Our new Butcher’s Select line is made with real, minimally processed ingredients, and is a ‘cut above’ …

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Smokin-Vegan White Rabbit

©White Rabbit Alternative Pizza Co

Products & Launches

White Rabbit Pizza Responds to Demand for ‘Free From’ Products, Launches Seasonal Vegan Pizza

The White Rabbit Pizza Co in the UK is launching a new seasonal pizza called ‘The Vegan Festive Feast’. This is the fourth vegan pizza introduced by a company responding to the growing demand for ‘free from’ in the UK. The new launch tops off a busy year of growth for the brand that has seen White Rabbit’s value soar by 57% YOY.

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Oggi Foods creates plant-based, gluten free pizzas

© Oggi Foods

Company News

Oggi Foods: Plant-Based Pizzas with a Multi-Award-Winning Gluten-Free Crust and Beyond Meat Toppings

Canadian brand Oggi Foods first created a stir when it developed the first ever gluten-free pizza crust with rising air bubbles. But the company didn’t stop there on its mission to make pizza accessible to all. In January of this year, it launched two entirely plant-based pizzas in collaboration with Beyond Meat.

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Amys Vegan Thai Red Curry

Image: Amy's Kitchen

Top Stories

Amy’s Kitchen Opens 389,000 Square Foot Facility, Creates 680 New York Jobs

The organic food company, Amy’s Kitchen, recently broke ground on the construction of its first food production facility in the Hudson Valley, Upstate New York. This $95 million facility will create 680 jobs in the town of Goshen, located in Orange County. The plant is expected to begin operations in 2021.

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