PLANT-BASED REPORT
PANDEMIC POWERS PLANT-BASED FOODS MORE THAN A MEATLESS BURGER, PLANT-BASED ITEMS ARE BOOMING AND PRIVATE LABEL LOOKS TO CAPTURE GROWTH By Zachary Russell
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he desire for plant-based and vegan items continues to grow. The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and The Good Food Institute (GFI) reported U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods increased 27% in 2020, making it a $7 billion market. The two organizations said plant-based food sales grew by more than 25% in every U.S. census region and that 57% of households now purchase plant-based foods, up from 53% in 2019. More recently, Tastewise, an AI-powered food intelligence service, released an alternative plant-based protein report for Q3 of 2021. The study showed that the plant-based meat market accounts for just 1.4% of the total retail meat market, but is worth $1.4 billion in the U.S., increasing by more than $430 million in sales from 2019 to 2020. Consumers have been drawn to plant-based meats, such as Kroger’s pioneering Simple Truth Plant Based line, for sustainability and health reasons. In fact, in 2020, Kroger launched 53 new plant-based items to add to its portfolio and said 1.4 million households bought a plant-based Simple Truth product.
“The way we order, cook, and eat is already transforming in the face of a global pandemic, climate change, new technologies, and increased interest in health,” said Alon Chen, CEO at Tastewise, Chicago. “Today’s consumers require food and beverage that responds to their needs and provides solutions to their problems — from the personal to the planetary. Responding to the devastating advance in climate change, many companies are working to reduce the significant climate footprint of the animalfarmed meat industry by innovating ways to move away from animal meat. This increase in resources devoted to plant-based meat products, combined with consumer demands for real, versatile solutions, results in a timely shift in the way we consume food.” So far, private brands have had success with launches of plant-based meat alternative mainstays. Greenwise, Publix’s organic private label, introduced pea-based chickenless tenders in August, joining meatless burger patties of the same material that came out earlier in the year. Pea-based options appeal to consumers who want meat alternatives that are also soy and gluten-free. In May, one of the most profitable store brands, Target’s www.storebrands.com
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