Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc.’s Post

🌱🍗 SHICKEN SECURES £4M TO SCALE UP PORTFOLIO A family-owned brand rooted in the founders’ Indian heritage, SHICKEN Foods has secured an additional £4M in investment from Veg Capital, taking its total injection into the ready meal company to £6M. The startup will use the capital as further capital expenditure into its manufacturing facility to increase the production capacity of vegan tikka and curry SKUs. Having recently received accreditation from the British Retail Consortium, the scale-up will make the Kent-based site one of the UK’s only dedicated plant-based, nut-free factories, and enable Shicken to produce a range of both branded and private-label products for retail and foodservice. The investment will also fuel the expansion of its distribution both domestically and overseas, following Shicken’s launch into 380 Sprouts Farmers Market stores in the US in January, alongside a Teriyaki Kebab Skewer SKU – its first non-Indian product – at Costco Wholesale in the UK, Iceland, Sweden and France. And in January 2023, the company gained a listing at Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket, rolling out into 471 stores nationwide. This year, it expects to achieve five times its current growth. Shicken was founded as a D2C business during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 by husband-and-wife duo Satvinder and Parm Bains, who were already experienced campaigners in the food industry. Going back to 2003, the pair launched a vegan chicken breast under a brand called Love Foods, which was bought out by the Co-op and saw its listing cease. Shicken’s plant-based chicken is made from a blend of soy, wheat and pea proteins using tech that the brand claims imparts “a succulent chargrilled chicken-like texture”. This is then used in products ranging from tikka kebab skewers and Madras curry to butter chicken and rogan josh, which are based on recipes passed down by Satvinder’s grandmother. The investment in Shicken comes after a year where global agrifood tech funding fell by 51%, and a cost-of-living-hit market cultivated a difficult environment for plant-based companies. Meatless Farm, for example, fell into administration before being rescued by VFC®, while legacy company VBites was destined for the same fate before it was bailed out by founder Heather Mills. Industry giants like Quorn Foods posted losses too, and a number of vegan restaurants shuttered. #GreenQueen #altprotein #futurefoods #vegan #foodtech #sustainability #foodsystems

🌱💰 'VEGAN UNILEVER' ACQUIRES 35-YEAR-OLD GERMAN BRAND Following its rebrand from VFC® Food last month, the newly formed Vegan Food Group is set to acquire German tofu manufacturer Tofutown.com GmbH for an undisclosed sum. With four businesses under its portfolio, the company aims to bolster revenue beyond €100M and become profitable this year. It’s part of the company’s mission to become “a vegan Unilever”, as co-founder and chief mission officer Matthew Glover noted during the rebrand. The move to become a holding company – which now comprises VFC, Meatless Farm, Clive's Purely Plants, and Tofutown – allows VFG to become “one of Europe’s largest plant-based manufacturers”, and the latest acquisition delivers on CEO Dave Sparrow's promise that there would be more takeovers to come. “VFG will now be a major player in plant-based food, with a significant manufacturing scale across three sites, employing over 300 staff, and with a strong network of strategic manufacturing and supply chain partners,” said Sparrow. “This acquisition allows VFG to fast-track our growth across the UK and the EU in chilled, frozen, and ambient products, in both branded and own-label retail, as well as foodservice.” Headquartered in Wiesbaum, Tofutown supplies major retailers including Aldi, Lidl, DM and Edeka. It has two manufacturing sites sprawling a combined 55,000 sq m, with the Lüneburg, Lower Saxony facility one of Europe’s largest plant-based factories, “with the capacity to produce a wide range of new plant-based lines”. VFG’s purchase deal with Tofutown, which will see the former acquire all shares, is pending final authorisation, but is expected to close soon. It is the latest in a rapidly growing line of M&A deals in the vegan sector, including Australia’s v2food's buyout of ready meal brands Soulara and Macros, Indian company Nourish You India's purchase of alt-dairy startup One Good [Acquired by Nourish You], and Next Level Burger’s acquisition of Veggie Grill by Next Level (and its Más Veggies taco chain) in the US – all of which have come in the last couple of months. #GreenQueen #altprotein #plantbasedmeat #futurefood #sustainability #foodtech

🇫🇷💰 FRENCH VEGAN MEAT MAKER LA VIE DOUBLES FUNDING WITH €25M With growing popularity among retail shoppers and an extended foodservice footprint, French food tech player LA VIE™ has attracted more investors to the tune of €25M. The funding round involved ZINTINUS, Sparkfood, Michel Larroche, Arnaud Bachelier, and a crowdfunding campaign with over 3,000 investors, and takes the vegan pork startup’s total financing to €50M, following an investment of the same amount two years ago. The funding has coincided with the announcement of La Vie’s meatball range. The company hinted at this latest product line last week, and it has now confirmed the forthcoming launch of its Italian-style and Spicy Asian meatballs. Packaged in 200g bags for €3.90, the meatballs will be available at Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan Retail, Intermarché, and Franprix stores from October 28. Additionally, the startup has launched its first national TV campaign with ad agency BUZZMAN. The 40-second spot, titled Duel and released on World Animal Day (October 4), is “designed to ignite a nationwide conversation” about meat consumption. The five-year-old startup first became famous for its vegan bacon (and viral, wacky marketing drives), and has since expanded its lineup to include ham and sandwiches too. These products have impressed consumers, foodservice operators, and critics alike, with the brand now present in over 8,200 points of sale across Europe (including Pizza Hut) and winning 24 awards for its flagship bacon. The investment will allow La Vie to enhance its existing products and create new ones, while expanding its footprint in France and the UK. This year alone, it has landed on the menus of Pizza Hut France, Parisian bakery Maison Landemaine, and retailer Monoprix’s in-store Picadeli. And it has just introduced its smoked ham SKU at Sainsbury's’s stores in the UK. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_7TzGXY #GreenQueen #altprotein #foodtech #futurefoods #foodsystems #sustainability

THIS is my favourite meat alternative. (For those who don’t know, “THIS” is the brand name!) And they’re doing well amid a general downward trend in the popularity of fake meat. Apparently, the main reason is down to taste. Which proves what I always say: you can’t rely on impact and sustainability alone to sell your products. You still need to be offering something people want. In this case, tasty sausages. Are you a fake meat eater? What’s your favourite? #Veganism #MeatAlternatives #ClimateTech #PlantBased #PlantBasedProducts

📈🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA'S PLANT-BASED INDUSTRY REBOUNDS WITH MORE BRANDS & PRICE PARITY Plant-based meat is inching closer to the cost of its conventional counterparts in Australia, driven by a proliferation of brands and significant foodservice growth, according to a new report by Food Frontier. The think tank’s 2023 State of the Industry report combines industry data and insights from Deloitte Access Economics, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector after a tricky couple of years globally. Where has the industry gained, and where is it lacking? What will it look like in the future? Here are the key takeaways from Food Frontier’s analysis. 🌱 The rise of plant-based meat in Australia has been driven by its foodservice performance since Covid-19. In 2023, sales across foodservice and retail reached AU$272.5M, representing a 47% increase from 2020, the first year of the pandemic. Per capita consumption is also up by 28% since 2020. 🌱 Despite the market performance, the plant-based meat manufacturing sector’s contribution to the economy has reduced by 9%, from AU$50.4M in 2020 to AU$45.8M last year. This drop is witnessed across both direct and indirect contributions. 🌱 Globally, plant-based companies saw a 28% decline in VC investment in 2023, reflecting the larger 61% drop in food tech funding. The pattern is similar in Australia, where plant-based meat makers have witnessed a 70% decrease in financing since 2020, and a 13% drop from 2022, reaching AU$16.75M last year. 🌱 Australia has witnessed a shift in consumer preference for the type of plant-based meat. Long-standing formats like burgers and mince have stabilised in number, while newer options such as strips/chunks and whole cuts have become more popular. 🌱 Despite increased per capita spend amid inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, the price gap between plant-based and animal-derived meat is narrowing. While the former carried a premium of 49% in 2020, they were just 33% more expensive last year. 🌱 Research shows that 20-39% of Australians are cutting back on meat or eating none at all, with 38% open to replacing it with a plant-based option. Health seems to be the major influencing factor, with protein requirements and ultra-processing top of mind. After consulting with manufacturers, Food Frontier found that they are prioritising health and nutrition in plant-based meat production. In Food Frontier’s first State of the Industry report, Deloitte Access Economics modelled three potential 10-year scenarios for the plant-based meat manufacturing industry. These are based on three trajectories. The first centres on these products as conscious consumers’ choice, a conservative estimate; the second is a moderate forecast labelling vegan meats as popular and accessible alternatives; and the third, more accelerated prediction analyses these as popular mass-market commodities. #GreenQueen #altprorein #futurefoods #foodtech #sustainability #foodsystems

As much as it pains me to post an article relating to a competitor brand, I have to admit I am delighted to read about Quorn's move to hybrid meat mixes and here's why. For context, I represent Tender'lish in the UK for FrieslandCampina, the best tasting meat free "chicken" brand on the market, delighting consumers across the continent under the European name Valess. We offer a uncompromising taste delivery, with all the nutrition of Dairy from a farmer owned cooperative. Let's face facts. Most people aren't vegan. Most people aren't even vegetarian. However MANY people are trying to actively reduce the amount of meat they eat and are looking for better choices. However, they also want to enjoy the food they eat, and the leap to full plant based is just too large especially if the whole family are less open to the change. Relatable? You will note in market, many more hybrid blends in cheese, milk and spreads entering the market (enter Smug from Kerry Dairy), now in the big Grocers. Adding more evidence, that more people want a stepping stone to reduction of animal based products, not complete abstention. I welcome the entry of Quorn, as this big move certainly will add depth and weight to the category and customer led story we have been pitching in retail since our launch nationwide with Morrisons and then Booths this year of meat reduction for mass market, as opposed to complete elimination in the minority (which is already served very well). What an exciting time to be in the meat reduction movement helping customers to have more choice, better taste and deliver amazing value! Whilst our products won't go quite to meat-mixes as Quorn is leaning to, our products with real cheese and real dairy deliver in the vegetarian, meat free space that looks to be the catalyst to return the veggie/vegan/plant based category space back to growth. Now all we need are more buying partners and category directors to recognise this consumer led trend and back us to deliver it for their shoppers. #category #retail #innovation #meatfree #grocery #trend

[Food Trend] In 2024, supermarkets are further aligning with the plant-based meat trend by expanding their offerings in this category. This move caters to the changing tastes of consumers, especially flexitarians — who already comprised 38% of the British population in 2022, according to Glanbia Nutritionals. Tesco UK reports a resurgence in the demand for plant-based foods after witnessing a sales decline last year. This trend underscores a growing preference for healthier, more sustainable food choices.   Another trend is the emphasis on transparency and natural ingredients, pushing food retailers to prioritize products that boast clean and clear labels. This shift is in response to consumers' increasing scrutiny of product ingredients and their origins. Retailers are now more likely to partner with brands that can provide detailed information about their sourcing and manufacturing processes, ensuring that products align with consumer values around health, ethics, and environmental sustainability.   Technology is also playing a pivotal role in reshaping the plant-based meat offerings in supermarkets. Innovations in taste and texture, driven by advancements in food technology and AI, are making plant-based meats more appealing to a broader audience. Retailers are keen on stocking products that leverage these technologies to deliver better taste experiences that mimic traditional meats closely.   Additionally, the expansion of plant-based products in food service presents a model for supermarkets to consider in their cafeterias and ready-to-eat sections. Offering plant-based options in these areas can meet the growing consumer demand for convenient, nutritious, and sustainable food choices while visiting or shopping in their stores.   Retailers must stay ahead of these trends, ensuring their product ranges, labelling practices, and technological innovations align with consumer expectations. This alignment not only caters to the current market but also positions retailers as forward-thinking, consumer-centric destinations in the increasingly competitive food industry. #foodretail #plantbased #foodtrends

The volume and types of plant-based meats in Australia have changed significantly over the past three years. What’s clear is that a new food category has emerged from one or two niche players to create an industry that’s here to stay. In major retail in Australia, the plant-based meat category has gone from fewer than five brands made by Australian/NZ businesses in 2017, to more than 30. There has also been a three-fold increase in the number of products on shelves over the last few years, from less than 90 to just under 300. And according to Food Frontier data, the types of products are shifting too. Read more about how the rise of plant-based meat is reshaping retail in Australia: https://lnkd.in/e7U6mDHp #PlantBased #AlternativeProteins #FutureFood #FoodSystems #Retail #Food

Plant-Based Burgers 🍔 Right Next to Beef? 🤔 Lidl's Strategy Sparks Sales Growth 📈 #FoodRetailRevolution As a vegetarian, navigating the grocery store aisles for plant-based protein can sometimes feel like a scavenger hunt 🕵️♀️. Lidl's recent move to place plant-based meats alongside animal-based counterparts in the Netherlands is a game-changer 👏. Not only has it boosted sales, but it also makes plant-based options more visible and accessible to everyone 🙌. Key Takeaways: Visibility = Sales: 🛒 By placing plant-based products in the meat aisle, Lidl increased sales by 7% 🚀. This proves that visibility plays a crucial role in consumer choices. Consumer Approval: 👍 Lidl shoppers overwhelmingly support the change, highlighting the desire for convenient access to plant-based alternatives. Industry Trend: 🌱 Lidl isn't alone! Brands like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are already embracing this strategy, normalizing plant-based options and making them part of the mainstream grocery experience. My Thoughts: This move by Lidl is a win-win for consumers and the planet 🌎. It simplifies the shopping experience for those seeking plant-based alternatives and encourages more people to explore these options. As someone passionate about sustainable food choices, I applaud this initiative and hope to see other retailers follow suit 💚. What do you think about this trend? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #PlantBased #Lidl #SustainableShopping #Vegetarian #Vegan #GroceryShopping #FoodTrends #FutureOfFood

The surge in plant-based meat sales in Australia is a game-changer, and this trend is here to stay. The recent strides in plant-based meat production aren't just about meeting consumer demand—they're about reshaping the grocery retail landscape with a focus on sustainability. With seasoned manufacturers leading the charge, we're witnessing a pivotal moment in the industry as more retailers recognise the value of offering diverse, eco-friendly options to their customers. For grocery retailers, embracing plant-based meats isn't just about adding another product to their shelves—it's about aligning with consumer values and future-proofing their businesses. By partnering with innovative brands and capitalising on the growing demand for ethical and environmentally friendly products, retailers can not only drive sales but also position themselves as leaders in sustainability, creating a positive impact while staying ahead of the curve! With Australian manufacturers like The Aussie Plant Based Co. leading the way with carbon neutral brands in Coles Group and Woolworths Supermarkets, independent stores and supplying food service the future of food retail has never looked greener. #vegan #plantbased #future #innovation #futurefood #meals #grocery #fmcg #cpg #B Consulting Group.