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Inspiring a Better Plate: Farm Rich Introduces Plant-Based ‘Garden Inspirations’ Line

The traditional hamburger proved it wasn’t in fact “impossible” to substitute, and now Plant-Based Meatless Meatballs and BBQ Sliders are proving the possibilities are endless. “Garden Inspirations™ by Farm Rich” is a new line of plant-based foods expanding options for flexitarians, vegetarians and anyone looking to reduce meat consumption in their daily diet. This line includes appetizers, snacks and meal solutions made with plant-based meats and other wholesome plant-based ingredients.

In stores this month exclusively at Kroger (and online at Kroger.com and Instacart), these microwavable Meatballs and Sliders are an easy way to make simple swaps. When cravings hit, these Garden Inspirations products are a fast, easy and protein-packed solution:  Meatless Meatballs: With 12 grams of plant-based protein per serving, these savory Meatless Meatballs are made with a blend of soy and pea proteins, garlic, onion and other delicious spices. Toss them with pasta for a comforting family meal or your favorite sauce for an anything but understated appetizer.  Plant-Based BBQ Sliders: Made with pulled porkless soy shreds in a tangy BBQ sauce on a deliciously soft roll, new plantbased BBQ Sliders are here just in time for the start of BBQ season! The sliders come in individually wrapped packages (two per pack), making them convenient for quick lunches, snacks on the go and simple, small meals. Plus, they pack 13 grams of plant -based protein per serving. The 20-oz. Meatballs and 12.7-oz. Sliders are priced around $7.99. Shoppers can find them now in Kroger’s Meatless or Meat Alternative section in the freezer aisle.

“Many of us are taking little –and some big –steps to limit how much meat we consume and expand our daily diet choices, and this innovative new line gives shoppers more plant-based options to choose from at the grocery store,” said Ciera Womack, Farm Rich Senior Marketing Manager. “The Meatless Meatballs and BBQ Sliders are just a taste of several new plant-based foods planned this year from Garden Inspirations by Farm Rich.”

Farm Rich plans to extend the line at Kroger this summer with two new meatless alternative items, including:  Breaded Cauliflower Bites: Whole cauliflower florets rolled in a rice coating, with a quarter cup of cauliflower per serving.

Comes with a Sweet Sesame Dipping Sauce.  Breaded Zucchini Sticks: Tender zucchini slices breaded in a savory coating. An easy way to eat more vegetables! Side of

Tangy Marinara Dipping Sauce included. For more details on Garden Inspirations by Farm Rich, visit www.FarmRich.com.

Free Vegan Lifestyle Support During COVID-19

Main Street Vegan Academy (MSVA) announced that, effective immediately, some 50 Vegan Lifestyle Coaches and Educators (VLCEs), all MSVA graduates, will offer free education and support to those who want to enjoy meatless meals or explore the full vegan lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Free services will be available through June.

MSVA is a program developed by Victoria Moran, voted Peta's "Sexiest Vegan Over 50" in 2016 and author of books including Main Street Vegan and The Love-Powered Diet. "Coronavirus has put plant-based eating in the spotlight in three primary ways," says Moran. "We've learned how many infectious diseases have arisen from the wildlife trade, live markets, and industrialized animal agriculture. We also know that many of the underlying conditions that make COVID-19 more serious -- obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease -- have been shown in myriad studies to respond favorably to a whole-foods, plant-based diet. And asking workers to risk their lives to provide an 'essential' food item, meat, is outrageous; many of us haven't eat meat or other animal products for decades."

Meatless May and More

Many consumers have expressed interest in reducing meat consumption after experiencing shortages and hearing revelations about the alarming spread of COVID-19 in meat-processing plants. Others are curious about the health benefits and environmental sustainability of a vegan lifestyle, as well as the more compassionate relationship it promotes towards the animals trapped in the current food system.

A Meatless May boycott in Iowa of the “corporate” meat industry was launched early this month by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to support slaughterhouse employees who are being required to work despite the health risk. Meatless May is gaining traction and will continue beyond the end of the month. “Let’s take this from Meatless May to Meatless Nation,” says Joe Enrique Henry of LULAC. By shining a light on the plight of workers in the meatpacking industry, Henry hopes Meatless May will show the meat industry that consumers will stand with these workers and move closer to the healthier, more traditional diets of the past, when meat was a luxury item and plant foods sustained daily life.

Main Street Vegan Academy is proud to partner with LULAC in exposing the brutality of the meat industry and encouraging exploration of veganism. Visitors to Main Street Vegan's Meatless May & More site (www.mainstreetvegan.net/meatless-may) can complete a contact form with their question about plant-based eating and receive a personal phone or email response from a Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator. Assistance is available in English and Spanish. Also on the site are links to free weekly online cooking classes from JL Fields, VLCE, of Colorado Springs, author ofFast & Easy Vegan and coauthor with Victoria Moran ofThe Main Street Vegan Academy Cookbook. People can also sign up there for free informational Zoom webinars on vegan eating and living with Holly Skodis, VLCE (Wilton, Connecticut) and Sha-Hanna Soaper, VLCE (Westfield, Indiana); and similar webinars in Spanish offered by Karima Vega, VLCE (Denton, Texas) and Enrique Velez (San Juan, Puerto Rico).