The value of the U.S. plant-based meat market was $801 million for the year ending April 2019, according to the Good Food Institute. Globally, Barclays predicts alternative meat could reach $140 billion (or 10% of the total meat industry) by 2029.
Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have dominated the headlines with their push to get their products to consumers. But they aren’t the only companies in the market. Here’s a roundup of companies offering or planning to launch plant-based meat.
Nestlé Sweet Earth
Scheduled to start showing up in stores this month is the Awesome Burger and a ground beef companion, Awesome Grounds, from Sweet Earth Foods (owned by Nestlé USA). The products contain yellow pea protein. While Sweet Earth has long offered plant-based products, these are the first ones formulated to more closely mimic real burgers. The Awesome Burger will be available in both organic and conventional versions. Both are certified non-GMO.
Lightlife Foods
Sweet Earth isn’t the only vegetarian company getting into the new version of plant-based. Earlier this year Ligthtlife Foods launched a line that includes a burger, ground beef, and sausage. The products are based on pea protein and contain no GMOs, gluten, soy, or artificial flavors.
Before the Butcher
In 2018 Before the Butcher launched the Uncut line of plant-based meats to foodservice: a burger, savory chicken burger, roasted turkey burger, and breakfast sausage patty. The products are scheduled to go into retail stores this year.
Company founder Danny O’Malley worked in sales for Beyond Meat for three years before launching his company, which was acquired in June by Gregg and Jeff Hamann, owners of ground beef producer Jensen Meat Co. Uncut products are made with identity preserved non-GMO soy protein concentrate and contain half the sodium of the Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger, according to Food Navigator.
Hormel
In early September, Hormel launched Happy Little Plants products in select retail outlets, with planned expansion in the coming months. The first product is a ground protein alternative with 20 grams of non-GMO soy protein and 180 calories per serving. The product contains no preservatives, cholesterol, or gluten.
Tyson Raised and Rooted
Tyson’s new Raised and Rooted brand is expected to be in 4,000 retail stores and foodservice by the end of September. The line includes plant-based nuggets made with pea protein isolate and blended burgers made with a combination of angus beef and pea protein. Tyson has also invested in New Wave Foods, which plans to have a plant-based shrimp alternative available to foodservice in early 2020.
Smithfield Foods
Smithfield’s Pure Farmland brand is launching its plant-based protein portfolio this month into Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Target, with distribution expected in more than 5,000 retail stores by February 2020, according to Reuters. Products include soy-based burgers, meat balls, sausages, and ground meat.
Kroger Simple Truth
Launching this fall, Kroger’s Simple Truth plant-based line will include burger patties, ground imitation meat, sausages, and deli slices. The collection will have easy-to-identify packaging, featuring a distinct icon, according to a Kroger press release.
Kellogg
In early 2020 Kellogg will introduce Incogmeato by MorningStar Farms. The line will initially include three products: refrigerated burger patties, frozen fully prepared Chik’n tenders, and frozen fully prepared Chik’n nuggets. The products are made with non-GMO soy.
Emergy Foods
Start-up Emergy Foods is scheduled to debut its plant-based meats in 2020. The products contain “only a handful of natural ingredients, are minimally processed and free from the top 8 food allergens,” according to the company website. The product does not contain soy or pea protein. The company has not disclosed the main ingredient. Emergy closed a round of $4.8 million venture capital funding in July.
Conagra Brands
During an earnings call for the period ending June 27, 2019, Conagra announced its intention to leverage the Gardein brand to offer more plant-based meat alternatives. In particular, the company is interested in pursuing alternatives to meats other than beef.
