Food From Thought: July 2021

Why consumers try plant-based products, portfolio news, and more.

If we’ve learned anything about alternative proteins and consumer adoption, it’s the fact that taste alone won’t persuade shoppers to swap out beef for plant-based burgers. And we have proof. Last month a new study was released finding that not only is flavor not a determining factor when choosing plant-based options, but health appeals don’t work either.

What does? Appealing to consumers by highlighting the social and environmental costs of traditional meat consumption. Good for animal welfare. Good for the planet. Good for humanity. These are the messages that mainstream buyers respond to when considering alternative proteins of all types.

It’s an interesting take and is worth reading the full report, but the big takeaway is that, although taste can’t be entirely overlooked, buyers are considering different factors when picking up plant-based products. And sustainability is where the industry’s marketing is headed.

Alpha Foods

Purpose At Work: Lessons From Alpha Foods On How To Lead With Purpose

Green Rebel

• Indonesian Startup Green Rebel Foods Unveils Asia’s First Plant-Based Whole Cut Steak To Meet Growing Demand For Meat

• Starbucks Indonesia Adds First Vegan Meatball Sandwich to 460 Locations

Heura Foods

• Plant-based meat producer Heura secures €16m in funding

• Heura scores €70m valuation with backing from Chris Smalling and the crowd

• Vegan Pork Is Next Up For Spanish Startup Heura

• This alternative meat startup’s secret ingredient? Olive oil

Miyoko’s Creamery

• Miyoko’s Creamery: Honored on Forbes inaugural 50 Over 50 List

• Miyoko’s Creamery launches plant milk cheddar sticks in the US

Oatly

• NYC Frozen Yogurt Chain 16 Handles Rolls Out Dairy-Free Oatly Soft Serve

• Now There’s Coffee Specifically Being Made for Plant-Based Milk

• Cream of the crop: The role of milk alternatives in sustainable investing

SuperMeat

• Israeli cultured meat company aims to redefine industry

Food & Wine: Taco Bell’s New Naked Chalupa Uses a Plant-Based ‘Chicken’ Shell

GQ: The New Veganism

New Yorker: The Deep Sea is Filled with Treasure, but it Comes at a Price

Politico: The Read Meat Issue Biden Won’t Touch

Politico: How Ransomware Hackers Came for America’s Beef

Rolling Stone: Breaking Down Plant-Based Food Trends and Culture

Talk Retail: The Rise of Food Tech

The Conversation:Taste Alone Won’t Persuade Americans to Swap Out Beef for Plant-Based Burgers

Vegconomist: LIVEKINDLY Collective Launches in China With Two New Domestic Plant-Based Brands

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