Gourmet News

H-E-B in Texas Carrying unMEAT Plant-Based Luncheon Meat

Published September 20, 2022

H-E-B Supermarkets in Texas are carrying unMEAT plant-based luncheon meat. Recently launched in the United States, unMEAT Luncheon Meat offers a healthier, plant-based alternative to the canned meat that is a beloved snack for families around the world.

Available in two flavors – Luncheon Style Meat and Burger Style Luncheon Meat – unMEAT offers a guilt-free, non-GMO plant-based alternative with 30% fewer calories, 60% less sodium and zero sodium nitrites than its meat predecessor. Though Texas is a state that is known for loving its traditional meat, interest in plant-based alternatives is present across the state, with more than 1,500 restaurants that serve vegan and vegetarian options. unMEAT Luncheon Meat is a shelf-stable alternative that tastes like the original luncheon meat (without the unhealthy ingredients).

“The consumer and retailer response to the initial launch of our plant-based luncheon meat is strong, and we are excited to have unMEAT Luncheon Meat available in brick-and-mortar H-E-B Supermarkets,” says Gregory Banzon, Chief Operating Officer, Century Pacific Group, parent company of unMEAT. “Now, Texas residents can purchase unMEAT where they purchase their regular weekly groceries, making it even easier to incorporate plant-based proteins into their regular meals.”

In addition to H-E-B supermarkets, unMEAT Luncheon Meat is available via online retailers, GTFO, It’s Vegan! and Weee!, and at select stores throughout the United States. This increasing availability makes it an accessible option for flexitarians, vegetarians, vegans or those looking to add more plant-based foods in their diet. Additional national retailer availability is expected to roll out this fall. For more information and to find a retailer, visit https://meetunmeat.us/.

unMEAT’s product range includes meat-free Burger Patties, Ground Meat, Luncheon Meat, Sausages, Nuggets and fish-free Tunas. Made with 100% non-GMO, sustainably sourced clean ingredients, unMEAT offers taste and texture for no-sacrifices-necessary balanced meals. unMEAT is available via online retailers GTFO, It’s Vegan! and Weee!, along with select stores throughout the Midwest and east coast.

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PackIt, Kroger Expand Program With EcoFreeze Totes

Published September 15, 2022

PackIt has expanded its collaboration with The Kroger Co. to new store fronts and new regions of the United States.

“After successful pilot programs at multiple storefronts in the midwest and western United States, the PackIt Fresh Mobile Refrigeration Solution is now being implemented at Kroger stores across Atlanta and Nashville for the first time,” said Melissa Kieling, founder, PackIt. “We’re also seeing our solution entering additional stores in California and Arizona. Kroger clearly recognizes the improvement to product freshness and efficiencies gained by deploying our EcoFreeze totes into their retail operations.”

The Kroger banner, Ralph’s, recently launched its initiative allowing customers to pick up orders in as little as an hour. From a functional perspective, PackIt Fresh totes are now being utilized within their stores as a single staging vehicle to collect ambient, refrigerated & frozen items. This is the ultimate PackIt Fresh value proposition: product kept fresh, collected in a single location and efficient processes to support customer needs.

The PackIt Fresh Mobile Refrigeration Solution creates efficiencies through every step of online grocery order fulfillment. The collapsible, freezable, reusable EcoFreeze Totes represent a seamless plug-in for retailers to meet growing storage, pickup and delivery demands. Each tote features patented EcoFreeze Technology: freezable gel built into the walls, that keeps perishables cold and food-safe for 15 hours.

PackIt, a Tenth Avenue Holdings, LLC brand, was established more than a decade ago with a singular mission: keep food safe and eliminate waste. The company’s breakthrough innovations in lunch bag cooling technology rapidly expanded into every viable consumer lifestyle segment. PackIt Fresh represents the commercial division with traction among grocers around the globe. EcoFreeze Totes was designed to meet growing online grocery order and meal-kit delivery service needs.

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Plant Based World Expo Engages Food Industry

Published September 15, 2022

The third Plant Based World Expo North America returned to the Javits Center in New York on Sept. 8-9. Attendees at the 100 percent plant-based B2B industry event enjoyed innovative new plant-based products, speakers and networking opportunities. There were 3,722 attendees, up roughly 20 percent from 2021, and 232 exhibitors.

“The response to this year’s Plant Based World Expo has been tremendous,” said Chris Nemchek, general manager. “One of our goals this year was to improve the audience quality and increase the number of retail and foodservice buyers at the show, and we are thrilled to report that we increased the number of buyers by 20%.”

Trends on display included:

● Mushroom-based meats, snacks and jerky from Fable, Popadelics and Eat the Change.

● Plant-based meats and seafoods from companies such as Atlas Monroe, Hoya, Unlimeat, The Blue Butcher, Mind Blown Seafood and Finless Foods.

● Functional foods and beverages from Broma, True North, Remedy and Purposefuel.

● Snacks galore from Rule Breaker Snacks, Lupii, Mozaics and Fat Badger.

● Global culinary creativity and chef-crafted products.

● Convenient and accessible frozen and prepared entrees from companies such as Strong Roots and Wicked Foods.

● Elevated plant-based cheeses from Good Plant Foods, Bedda Cheese, Selfish Cow Plant Based Cheese, Plant Perks, Nuts for Cheese, Wildbrine and Miyoko’s Creamery.

“The success of this year’s Plant Based World Expo demonstrates the continued excitement around the plant-based foods industry,” said Rachel Dreskin, CEO of PBFA and The Institute. “Thanks to the strength of our partnership with the PBW team, we were able to put on a fantastic show featuring impactful conference sessions and so many meaningful opportunities for our members to connect with industry leaders and buyers. We look forward to continued growth and the expansion of our joint mission to showcase the power of plant-based.”

The show’s exhibitors were enthusiastic about their experiences at the show, citing great connections and the chance to showcase their products to a highly qualified audience as reasons why they plan to return next year.

“This was Mind Blown’s first year exhibiting at the show and it was incredible start to finish,” said Monica Talbert, co-founder of Mind Blown Plant Based Seafood Company. “The energy and excitement from attendees and other exhibitors was truly electric and so many quality connections really makes PBW a show not to miss!”

Whether they were sampling delicious plant-based frozen desserts and mouth-watering plant-based entrees or learning from expert speakers, celebrity chefs, and industry leaders, attendees agreed that this was the best PBW yet.

“The show has been incredible. We’ve made a lot of good contacts with all the right people to get our product into the right places. We’re looking forward to next year,” said Marc Elkman, co-founder, Mighty Yum.

“This was our first time coming to the show and we have made many amazing connections here–it gives me goosebumps–and we’re excited about following up and our future,” said Camille Holder-Brown, co-founder, Kale Cafe.

Read more about plant-based food in the October issue of Gourmet News. Subscribe today so you don’t miss it!