Martin Habfast’s Post

Whole Foods Market just dropped its top ten trend predictions for 2024, and four of those trends are represented by the brands you'll meet at the Food Entrepreneur Experience webinar on Oct. 25! PUTTING THE PLANT BACK IN PLANT-BASED: Shiitakes play a starring role in Pan's Mushroom Jerky, delivering a meaty texture with fiber and vitamin D. CLEAN & CONSERVE/WATER STEWARDSHIP: Pricklee's hydration beverages are powered by the prickly pear cactus, a drought-resistant crop. A BETTER BOOST: Kahawa 1893 Coffee offers organically grown, small batch beans while empowering women coffee farmers in Africa by providing sustainable wages and sourcing directly. LITTLE LUXURIES: The Pizza Cupcake produces gourmet handheld snacks that are the definition of little luxuries. And Must Love taps into two of the aforementioned trends, by putting the plants back in plant-based with a line of non-dairy frozen desserts made with bananas or oats, as well as delivering little luxuries in the form of no-sugar-added frosted animal cookies and grahams that are reimagining some nostalgic classics. We pride ourselves on presenting the most innovative, on-trend brands and products as part of this semiannual event and across all of our Food Entrepreneur content, and Whole Foods' list validates our keen eye for what's hot in the marketplace. Register now at https://lnkd.in/g6CDJvs. #foodtrends #foodentrepreneur #foodstartups #foodinnovation

🔦 In this month's instalment of 'Start-up spotlight,' we speak to Max Jamilly, co-founder of Hoxton Farms, a UK-based biotech that makes #cultivatedfat to sell as a B2B ingredient 🌟 🥓 "Our customers combine our fat with plant-based protein to make ‘hybrid’ products that sizzle, smell and taste like traditional meat," Jamilly told The Cell Base. 🥩 "Like many others, we wanted to reduce our meat consumption, but we couldn’t find delicious alternatives to traditional meat. Burgers tasted like coconut; sausages were greasy; bacon was bland…This is because today’s plant-based products use plant oils that are unappetising and unsustainable." 🍳 "That’s why, in 2020, we co-founded #HoxtonFarms with the mission of transforming every meal on the planet, cultivating an irresistibly fatty future." 🧫 Read more about Hoxton Farm on #TheCellBase 👇 #cultivatedmeat #altprotein #cellag #cellbasedmeat #fat https://lnkd.in/eccpQKj2

The Good Food Institute has selected five standout startups from around the globe to participate in the Alternative Protein Startup Pitch Slam at the Good Food Conference 2023, taking place in San Francisco from September 18th to 20th. UNLIMEAT was selected as one of the five startups, and today, our co-CEO Ryan Chung presented our vision at the conference. We are pleased to announce this news and would like to share some part of the pitch with you. # What does it mean to think from customer experience? We seek to serve those who want to try new products. Whether you're a meat eater or vegan, if you're those who search new restaurants to try or go the extra miles to find what you want in a different store, you are our target customers. The value we want to provide to you are diversity and excitement with this relatively new category of plant-based. # Plant-Based 2.0: What would that look like? Kimbap is a traditional Korean food, which is known for its healthy balance of meat and veggies, especially for its fermented kimchi. It’s also known for electric flavor that provides delightful taste. I believe people found it exciting not because the kimbap had tasty meat; In fact it was vegetarian. Maybe a key to unlock plant-based is not so much about mimicking animal-based meat but about acknowledging that plants can be tasty on their own terms. Our goal is to make plant-based 2.0 to be more than a meat alternative. We want customers to choose us not because we're similar in meat texture but because we bring excitement, joy and fulfillment. We’ll be introducing new line of plant-based foods including tuna and Bulgogi Kimbap, rice ball and gluten free cakes. #UNLIMEAT #gfi

Confetti Snacks, a vegetable chip company that uses upcycled ingredients, has won the SNAC Tank Pitch Competition at SNAC International's SNX 2024. "How can we solve two major problems (starvation and food waste) facing the world today?" asked Betty Lu, founder and CEO of Confetti Snacks - Marvellous Veggie Chips. "We take 'ugly' produce, upcycle them to delicious and crunchy baked snacks and season them with award-winning seasonings inspired by cultures of the world." Read more 🏆▶️ https://ow.ly/ptI950RlcZg #foodentrepreneur #snacks #pitchcompetition #upcycling

Attention ice cream lovers! 🍦 Even though January is over, the excitement for new dairy ice cream launches is still going strong 🍦 With the busy season coming up, many brands are introducing even more delicious frozen treats to their lineups. Read more about these mouth-watering options, presented by INNODELICE in their January review. #icecream #innovations #icecreamtechnology

At the end of a busy year, we caught up with Seth Goldman and Spike Mendelsohn. "There’s a lot of misinformation out there about plant-based meat and there are big bets being made against its growth and success. What we should all be working towards is a better balance in our food system," says Spike. And we agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for the chat, both! #foodservice #plantbasedbusiness #veganbusiness #plantbasedmeat

🍣 Price parity for chef-inspired plant-based raw seafood AND sushi? Yes, please! Thanks for publishing my interview Elizabeth Flood 💲 Finally, a plant-based *raw seafood* sushi product that costs no more than your traditional sushi! An exciting invitation for the curious consumer to delve into the world of plant-based seafood without breaking the bank. 🎣 As we witness the rapid depletion of global fish stocks, it’s clear that sustainable alternatives like Konscious Foods are more than a trend - they’re a necessity. 🌱 Do you think plant-based seafood sushi could be the perfect introduction to more sustainable dining? #alternativeseafood #Tastelike #sushi #alternativeprotein

Step aside, cashew cheeses: new wave of plant-based cheeses is coming. Cheese is a reason I often hear why many say they can’t go vegan. Yet cheese alone accounts for 2% of global GHG: we need new and delicious solutions. I spoke with Sorosh Tavakoli from Stockeld Dreamery on what it takes to launch and run a start-up making delicious fermented goodness. In our conversation, we discuss: 🧀 Why we need more innovation in plant-based cheese 🍺 How fermentation will enable next-gen plant-based products 🍔 Stockeld’s new game-changing product, MELT 😋 Why brands should drive with taste & credibility, not “free from” claims 🌱 Advice for founders & innovators in the plant-based space The highlights of our conversation are in the link in the comments. Stockeld Dreamery currently sells three flavors of cream cheese and their new MELT cultured cheddar slices – find them near you in NYC or Philly. Have you tried them? What did you think? Thank you Sorosh Tavakoli, Enara Roy, and Sandra Bergholm #cheese #plantbased #fermentation #foodtech #startups Looking for more food & climate optimism in your inbox? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/ebQEW-Vu

Pizza Night: Armored Fresh's Oat Milk Mozzarella Shreds The International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas witnessed a game-changing innovation as Armored Fresh unveiled its Oat Milk Mozzarella Shreds. This zero-dairy cheese alternative is set to tantalize taste buds and transform the pizza industry. Strategic Insights: 🍕 Sustainable Indulgence: Armored Fresh's new product aligns with the surging demand for eco-friendly and dairy-free alternatives, tapping into a market that values both sustainability and flavor. 🍕 Culinary Innovation Meets Accessibility: By offering a zero-dairy cheese that rivals traditional mozzarella in melt and taste, Armored Fresh is breaking barriers, making sustainable choices accessible without compromising on culinary creativity. 🍕 Nutritionally Conscious: With a commitment to non-GMO, plant-based ingredients, Armored Fresh is catering to the health-conscious consumer, driving the clean-label movement forward in the food industry. Market Implications: 🧀 The introduction of Oat Milk Mozzarella Shreds could disrupt the $125 billion global cheese market, with a pivot towards plant-based alternatives. 🧀 Armored Fresh's innovation may inspire a new wave of plant-based products in foodservice, potentially reshaping consumer expectations and industry standards. Investment Insights: 💡 Growth Opportunity: Armored Fresh's focus on sustainability and innovation presents a compelling investment opportunity in the burgeoning Food Tech sector. 💡 Market Watch: Investors should monitor the uptake of Oat Milk Mozzarella Shreds post-Pizza Expo, as positive market response could indicate a ripe opportunity for growth. 💡 Sustainable Portfolio: Aligning with brands like Armored Fresh that prioritize environmental impact could offer investors long-term value as consumer trends increasingly favor sustainable options. Armored Fresh is not just redefining pizza toppings; it's setting a new standard for the future of food. As the Food Tech industry continues to evolve, Armored Fresh's Oat Milk Mozzarella Shreds may just be the beginning of a deliciously sustainable revolution. For the latest in Food Tech and sustainable investment opportunities, keep following Market Unwinded. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gNcTeDPU #ArmoredFresh #OatMilkMozzarella #FoodTech #SustainableEating #PlantBased #Innovation #InvestmentOpportunity #MarketUnwinded #PizzaExpo2024

Here's what's up in the #cpgindustry this week: Uncle Nearest, the country’s largest Black-owned distillery, is widening its reach across spirit categories in announcing a deal to acquire Square One Organic Spirits. Tortilla chip and salsa brand Xochitl Inc.‎ has become the second brand to join private equity firm Forward Consumer Partners’ portfolio. Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip Drinks‎ , has now set up venture-studio Pollen Projects, which has launched 0.0%-abv cocktail bitters brand @seasn Seasn in the UK and is set to take product across the Atlantic to the US.   Doughlicious The London Dough Co.‎ has gone nationwide with Whole Foods Market, expanding its partnership with the grocery chain. The retailer carries the brand’s Frozen Cookie Dough and Gelato Bites, which have a SRP of $6.99 per 6-piece box. Teton Waters Ranch‎ has launched Teton Taste Buds, a new product line of blended veggie and grass-fed beef positioned to kids. The four nutrient-dense SKUs are made with mushrooms, carrots and butternut squash and launched in Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market and New Seasons Market locations, among others. Three Wishes Cereal‎ has released grain-free granola available in three flavors: Original, Maple Pecan, and Chocolate Almond,available at Sprouts Farmers Market stores and on Amazon. Dave’s Killer Bread has extended its bar line with Amped-Up Organic Protein Bars in three flavors: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate Coconut and Blueberry Almond Butter. Voyage Foods‎, a maker of peanut-free spread, chocolate without cacao and coffee without coffee beans, has raised $52 million in a Series A round. The round was co-led by Level One Fund and Horizons Ventures. SOSV and Collaborative Fund also participated. Voyage will use the funds to expand manufacturing facilities and grow personnel. Chip City‎ Cookies, a New York City-based cookie chain, has raised $7.5 million in a Series B investment from Enlightened Hospitality Investments. In 2022, Chip City also received $10 million from Enlightened.