5 Major Foodservice Distributors Joining the Plant-Based Trend

CHICAGO — Plant-based meat alternatives burst onto the retail scene in 2019, influenced by companies with sustainable missions such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. And while these brands appear to have a steady hold on the plant-based market, there’s one sector giving these brands a run for their money: major meat-producing foodservice companies.

Since last year, a flurry of meat-producing brands—some that happen to dominate the c-store space—have debuted plant-based meat alternatives at retailers. Here’s a look at what their repertoire includes …

In June 2019, Tyson Foods, Springdale, Ark., introduced its Raised and Rooted blended patties and chicken nuggets. The nuggets are made from a combination of pea protein isolate and other plant ingredients and contain 5 grams of fiber, omega-3s and less saturated fat than traditional nuggets, the company said. The blended patties are made with Angus beef and pea protein isolate.

Around this same time, Tyson also launched plant-based versions of its Aidells Whole Blends sausage and meatballs, which are made with chicken and other plant-based blends.

The plant-based meat options are not intended to replace the company’s traditional meat business but instead attract consumers who are open to flexible diets, Tyson said at the time of the launch.

Retail foodservice provider Hormel Foods, Austin, Minn., launched its Happy Little Plants brand in September 2019. The brand, which is Hormel’s first project under its Cultivated Foods umbrella, currently focuses on plant-based ground beef. The alternative-meat option has 20 grams of non-GMO soy protein per serving and is free of preservatives, cholesterol and gluten. Its main ingredients besides soy protein include soybean oil, beet root powder and coconut oil.

In August 2019, Smithfield Foods, Smithfield, Va., launched a plant-based protein portfolio under its Pure Farmland brand. The line features a variety of breakfast patties, meatballs, burger patties and preseasoned protein starters, all of which are made with soy-based ingredients and are free of gluten and dairy. Specific items include:

• Simply Seasoned Plant-Based Burger Patties
• Plant-Based Burger Patties With Dairy Free Cheddar Alternative
• Homestyle Plant-Based Meatballs
• Italian Style Plant-Based Meatballs With Dairy Free Parmesan Alternative
• Savory Original Plant-Based Breakfast Patties
• Maple Plant-Based Breakfast Patties
• Simply Seasoned Plant-Based Protein Starters
• Mild Italian Style Plant-Based Protein Starters

In April 2019, Canadian consumer packaged meats company Maple Leaf Foods revealed plans to spend $310 million on a new processing plant in Shelbyville, Ind., that would focus solely on plant-based-meat alternatives. Up until this point, Maple Leaf Foods had already offered plant-based meat alternatives through its LightLife brand, such as burgers, hot dogs, tempeh strips, ground beef, veggie meatballs and more. The company expects this new facility to double Maple Leaf’s capacity to make meat alternatives, including its Lightlife Burger, the company said.

Perdue Farms, Salisbury, Md., a chicken, pork and turkey manufacturer for retailers, launched its plant-based Perdue Chicken Plus Nuggets, Tenders and Patties in September 2019. Each item is made with a blend of cauliflower, chickpeas and plant-based protein and is free of antibiotics.

Perdue Farms created the plant-based line to appeal to “flexitarian families who are hungry for new ways to fill the vegetable void without sacrificing flavor or nutrition,” the company said.