Prepared Foods showcases new products including plant-based cheese and ice cream; jerky, hot dogs and seafood.

Just in time for summer grilling season, Sweet Earth Foods, Moss Landing, Calif., launched a Sweet Earth Vegan Jumbo Hot Dog and a reformulated Sweet Earth Awesome Burger 2.0.

“Delivering on the juicy taste of a classic ballpark-style frank, Sweet Earth Vegan Jumbo Hot Dogs are 23% bigger than top competitors' products and have a satisfying snap,” the company says. The hot dogs feature a pea and potato protein base.  

Officials say the Sweet Earth Awesome Burger 2.0 is first plant-based burger using a mix of hemp and protein from fava beans in addition to pea protein as its base. 

"The Sweet Earth Awesome Burger saw incredible success at its launch in 2019, but at Sweet Earth Foods we're constantly asking ourselves and our customers how we can make our plant-based proteins tastier, more craveable and more like traditional animal-based proteins" says Ryan Riddle, senior product development specialist with Nestlé and Sweet Earth. "Over the last year we have continued our product development, listened to consumer feedback, and made the Awesome Burger 2.0 even juicier with a beefier flavor and meatier texture."

Sweet Earth Vegan Jumbo Hot Dogs have a suggested retail price of $6.99; the Awesome Burger has a suggested retail price of $5.99.

Today’s households have all kinds of different diets and food preferences – from lactose-intolerant to vegan, and everything in between – which can make planning meals to please everyone's taste buds a bit tricky. That's why Bel Brands USA, Chicago, says it developed Nurishh. It establishes Bel among the first traditional cheese companies to add plant-based cheeses to its product portfolio.  

"Food plays a big role in cultivating happy and healthy moments, because the simple act of sharing a meal holds the power of bringing families together," said Florian Decaux, plant-based acceleration director for Bel. "Nurishh can help you create dishes that bring everyone to the table – like a perfectly melted grilled cheese or a delicious cheesy pizza."

Decaux says Bel applied its French cheese-making expertise to strike the balance of cheesy taste, meltability and comfort—all in a plant-based product. Certified plant-based and lactose-free, Nurishh serves up a good source of calcium and vitamin B12 and contains no artificial colors or flavors. Nurishh is available in six delicious varieties: Cheddar, Mozzarella and Provolone Style Slices; and Cheddar, Mozzarella Style Shreds; and a Cheddar & Mozzarella Style Blend.

Forager Project, San Francisco, expanded its organic, plant-based line with five ice creams made with organic cashewmilk and free of lactose, dairy, soy and gluten. Varieties include Vanilla Bean, Bittersweet Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Salted Caramel and Mint chip.

"Our expansion into dairy-free ice cream is another step toward achieving our goal to make delicious, organic, plant-based food that leaves people amazed," said Forager Project Co-Founder and CEO Stephen Williamson. "With our hero ingredient, organic cashews, we've created our ice creams to give consumers a delicious dairy-free treat that's full of flavor and taste and free of pesticides, chemicals and GMOs."

Forager Project's new line of Organic Dairy-Free Ice Cream is available at retailers nationwide for $6.99, including Whole Foods Markets, Natural Grocer's, Market Basket, Earth Fare, and many other retailers nationally.

Forager Project’s broader line also includes yogurts, nut milks, cheeses, sour cream, kefirs, shakes, butter, and vegetable-based chips.

Eat the Change, Bethesda, Md., says its mission is to create chef-crafted and nutrient-dense snacks that help mitigate climate change. In that spirit, the company introduced its first namesake product line: Eat the Change Organic Mushroom Jerky.

The line’s five varieties include Sea Salt + Cracked Pepper, Hickory Smokehouse, Maple Mustard, Habanero BBQ and Teriyaki Ginger. Prices start at $5.99 for a 2oz bag of mushroom jerky.

Officials say each bag of mushroom jerky starts with organic portobello and crimini mushrooms sourced from a family farm in Kennett Square, Pa. Ingredients include bruised, oversized and usually discarded stems that would not normally make it to the retail shelf. Mushrooms then are marinated in a savory spice blend and smoked using fallen hickory branches to mimic the deep, smoky flavors of traditional meat jerky, while also ensuring a 12-month shelf life. 

Eat the Change is the brainchild of Seth Goldman, founder of Honest Tea and chair of the board at Beyond Meat; and chef and renowned restaurateur Spike Mendelsohn. Eat the Change’s Organic Mushroom Jerky adheres to the company’s five planet-based commitments. The product is 100% plant and fungi based; USDA certified organic; supports biodiversity (avoiding big crops); made from upcycled imperfect produce; and packaged in recyclable materials.

Gathered Foods, Austin, Texas, expanded its plant-based Good Catch frozen seafood line with three new breaded offerings: Fish Sticks, Fish Fillets and Crab Cakes. Officials say the products feature Gathered Foods’ proprietary six-legume blend of peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans and navy beans.

"These products are game-changers for the industry," said Chad Sarno, co-founder and chief culinary officer. "Consumers have become more aware of the environmental impact of eating seafood and we're proud to be a delicious, culinary-driven solution. We're pushing culinary boundaries every day to deliver the taste and texture consumers expect from seafood. This product line has surpassed our expectations and we are incredibly proud."

Gathered Foods says the flaky plant-based whitefish sticks (MSRP $5.99) have 12g protein per five sticks, each coated with a light, crispy breading. Each box contains 10 fish sticks. Plant-Based Breaded Fish Fillets (MSRP: $5.99) deliver 12g of protein per serving. Each box contains two fish fillets. Plant-Based Breaded Crab Cakes (MSRP: $5.99) have 15g of protein per serving features a lump crabmeat-like texture and sweet crab flavor complemented with bell peppers, green onions, parsley and a hint of spice. Each box contains four crab cakes.