Food and beverage companies nationwide are increasingly investing in plant-based meat alternatives to satiate growing consumer demand for protein not sourced from animals. But who exactly are the primary consumers of such products?

Franklin Farms™, a division of Keystone Natural Holdings, entered a new partnership with Purple Carrot, the 100% plant-based meal kit company. As a prominent consumer brand and leading supplier of high-quality meatless offerings, Franklin Farms brings more than 20 years of expertise in plant-based protein foods and innovation to Purple Carrot’s meal kit offerings. 

Malt Products Corporation (MPC), a manufacturer of malted barley extract and other natural, nutritious sweeteners, has recently experienced a surge in demand for its OatRite™ oat extract as an attractive sweetener for the burgeoning oat milk market. 

Consumer enthusiasm for plant-based foods continues to grow unabated. This is also affecting the beverage market. Market research company Persistence Market Research (PMR) predicts annual growth rates exceeding 6% for plant-based drinks through 2028. 

Consumer demand for ready-to-cook plant-based meat alternatives is pushing brands to go beyond traditional freezer offerings into convenient, refrigerated products. Retail sales of plant-based meat alternatives reflect a shift happening in a dynamic category, as consumers bypass frozen products in favor of refrigerated ones. 

Vegetarianism and flexitarianism continue to grow in popularity, driven by health concerns as well as demand for greater sustainability and animal welfare. This means that alternative protein ingredients will continue to be of high interest to consumers, and therefore also to food and beverage formulators.

Wicked Foods, a plant-based food brand and UK market leader in plant-based meals, snacks and ingredients has announced the Summer 2021 launch of its pioneering product line in the US. The brand was created by world-renowned chefs and brothers Derek and Chad Sarno, who are recognized globally for their innovative approach to delicious chef-driven, plant-based cuisine.

Hooray Foods debuted an innovative meat-free bacon with a 300-store rollout in Whole Foods. The brand is breaking through barriers to entry with a product that looks like bacon, sizzles like bacon, smells like bacon and tastes like bacon, but instead puts health, environment and animal welfare first.

To accelerate innovation and drive further growth within the plant-based foods market, AAK AB (publ.) has joined the MISTA innovation platform, based in San Francisco.