According to Beyond Meat president Ethan Brown, the investment will support the growth, investment, and advancement of “strategic priorities” for the company moving forward.

“We are pleased to welcome a new investor who deeply understands our industry and is mission-aligned with our plant-based ethos,” said Brown. “In addition to securing access to this substantial new financing, we are continuing to evaluate opportunities to further strengthen our balance sheet and best position our business for the future.”

The Ahimsa Foundation’s for-profit venture capital arm, Ahimsa Companies, acquired New York’s Blackbird Foods earlier this year. In 2024, it acquired Wicked Kitchen, Good Catch, and Current Foods. At the time, Ahimsa Companies CEO Matt Tullman said that “consolidation will drive success” for the now overcrowded plant-based sector.

Read more: Beyond Meat Launches New Unbreaded Vegan Chicken Pieces

Plant-based meat market growth and future uncertainty

Beyond Meat has had a difficult first quarter, and recently reported a 9.1 percent decline in net revenue driven by an 11.2 percent reduction in sales volume. The company’s Q1 made a loss of $1.1 million, with a gross margin of -1.5 percent compared to 4.9 percent last year. 

In February, the company announced a six percent cut to its total workforce, including 95 percent of its China-based team. Beyond Meat plans to suspend operations in China entirely by the end of June and will be making executive leadership changes, intending to turn a profit by 2026. Brown has noted that an uncertain economic environment nationally and globally likely “exacerbated category challenges” such as “weak category demand” in the US.

While some media coverage of the sector has depicted the future of plant-based meat as uncertain, recent market research indicates that the market could “more than double in value” by the end of the decade. More specifically, growing consumer preference for “clean” label foods, nutritious ingredients, and sustainable products is helping to drive growth.

Read more: Plant-Based Meat Not Associated With Adverse Health Outcomes, Government Report Finds

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Plants offers a number of vegan products, including veggie burgers, dhals, and chilis. The rebrand comes from agencies Sonder & Tell and Belief Machines, with an aim to leave behind “clichéd plant-based visuals” and instead focus on emphasizing Plants’ natural and less-processed ingredients. Each new pack features these in large lettering on the front.

To create the designs, Belief Machines said it looked to evolving trends in the plant-based category, which increasingly favor natural proteins like beans and legumes. The new designs align with Plants’ move to distance itself from the “ultra-processed” plant-based label.

The Rise of Plants

Plants was established in 2022 to offer easy-to-make, nutritious meals for health-conscious consumers. It was previously connected to the Deliciously Ella brand, but it has been standalone since the latter was sold to The Hero Group last year.

It’s been a big year for Ella Mills, who acquired the AllPlants brand in February with a view to combine it with Plants. “We will bring together Plants and Allplants to create something truly special – a new, natural, plant-based powerhouse,” Mills said in a statement at the time. “We have long admired the Allplants brand, and the name has remarkable consumer awareness across the UK.”

The newly rebranded Plants products are available to buy from Waitrose and Ocado now.

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

After her husband suffered a stroke in 2019 and lost vision for several months, and following the sudden death of her father from a heart attack, Essig took a deep dive into nutrition. Determined to prevent further health issues, she shifted her family of eight – including six kids – to a plant-based diet.

Today, Essig creates videos to support others on the same journey. Her focus: helping people make long-term, sustainable changes. In a recent video, she tackles one of the biggest questions for plant-based families – how to save money while eating well – and shared her top Costco vegan hacks for buying plant-based staples for your home.

The plant-based items to buy in bulk at Costco

Essig shared a number of vegan food staples that she believes offer good value at Costco. From nut butter to frozen veggies, here are her insider tips:

Almond and peanut butter

Essig always buys nut butter at Costco. “The almond butter is literally the best price,” she says, adding that peanut butter also tends to be significantly cheaper than at her local grocery store.

Better than bouillon

Essig uses Better Than Bouillon as a base for soups and stews and stocks up on it during Costco runs. “That’s when I know it’s time to go back to Costco – when I’m usually out of Better Than Bouillon,” she says.

This soup base adds deep umami flavor to meals and is available in a large container at Costco, offering better value than smaller jars found in typical supermarkets.

Read more: ‘5 Plant-Based Foods My Family Eats Every Week’

Chia, hemp, and flax seeds

Costco offers bulk bags of nutrient-rich seeds that are ideal for smoothies, oatmeal, and baking. “Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds also tend to be cheaper at Costco,” Essig notes.

These seeds are high in plant-based omega-3s, fiber, and protein, and they support heart and digestive health.

Dairy-free chocolate chips

While not available at every location, some Costco stores stock dairy-free chocolate chips. Essig advises checking local inventory and stocking up when available, as they often sell out.

Coconut water

Essig uses coconut water in green smoothies, calling it her secret to a refreshing blend. “It makes it so good,” she says.

Costco usually sells shelf-stable coconut water in bulk, making it convenient for storage and significantly more affordable per unit.

Frozen fruits and vegetables

Frozen organic vegetables and berries are consistent value items at Costco. “Organic frozen vegetables are so much less expensive at Costco,” she says. She also points out the affordability of regular and organic frozen berries.

Frozen produce offers the same nutrients as fresh and is great for smoothies, stir-fries, and batch cooking.

Hummus and guacamole

Essig purchases both large containers and individually packaged servings of hummus and guacamole. “You cannot find a better deal anywhere else,” she says, especially for the snack-sized packs that are ideal for kids’ lunches.

These dips are good sources of healthy fats and fiber, and they make convenient plant-based snacks.

Legumes (when available)

Some Costco locations carry dried lentils and beans, which Essig recommends stocking up on if available. “If you can find them, it’s a great deal,” she says.

Lentils and beans provide fiber, protein, iron, and a variety of essential nutrients.

Maple syrup

Essig prefers using real maple syrup in her home and buys it exclusively from Costco due to the price. “Maple syrup’s expensive, so at Costco it usually is a pretty decent price,” she says.

This natural sweetener is a common pantry item in plant-based kitchens for oatmeal, baking, and pancakes.

Organic oats

While she finds regular oats cheaper elsewhere, Essig says Costco has the best deal for organic oats. These are ideal for breakfast bowls, baking, and even homemade oat milk.

Oats are high in fiber and linked to heart health and stable blood sugar levels.

Plant-based milks

Costco sells bulk packs of shelf-stable plant milks, including almond and oat milk. “These milks can stay on the shelf so you don’t have to store them in your fridge,” Essig says.

Though her local Costco no longer carries soy milk, she still finds good prices on almond milk. These kinds of milk can be used in cooking, smoothies, and cereal.

Quinoa and brown rice

Essig always stocks up on grains during her Costco trips. “You cannot get a better deal on quinoa,” she says. Brown rice is another pantry staple that also offers great value at Costco.

Whole grains like quinoa and brown rice are high in fiber and key minerals like magnesium and selenium.

Ramen noodles

Costco sells a bulk box of rice ramen that Essig uses for quick, no-fuss meals. “I just add tofu to it,” she says, explaining how she transforms the simple ramen into a tasty meal.

This quick meal base is useful for busy nights and can be boosted with vegetables and plant proteins.

Tofu

Tofu is another top-value item at Costco. “You can’t get a better deal anywhere else,” Essig says. The large packs are ideal for families or batch cooking.

Whole wheat flour

Essig uses Costco’s whole wheat flour in all of her baking. “This is what I use to make cookies and everything else in all my recipes,” she says. It’s not always available at every location, but when it is, she stocks up.

Whole wheat flour adds more fiber and nutrients compared to refined white flour.

Shopping hacks for non-members

Essig also shared tips for shopping at Costco without a membership and still benefiting from these Costco vegan hacks. “Ask someone who has a membership to get you a gift card or a cash card – then you can go shopping at Costco without the membership,” she explains

She recommends shopping on weekday mornings for the best stock and smallest crowds and watching price tags for codes like .97 (markdown) or .49 (manufacturer discount). An asterisk on the sign means the item won’t be restocked.

Costco also honors price adjustments: if an item goes on sale within 30 days of your purchase, you can request a refund for the difference.

Living life as a vegan shouldn’t be expensive. Have a look at this study on how a plant-based diet can save you money at the grocery store.

You can find more plant-based tips on the PlantWhys YouTube channel.

Read more: 5 Nutrient-Packed Foods To Help Power A Plant-Based Pregnancy

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

The brand and business assets have now been sold to Smart Organic Group subsidiary Bettr Food Limited. As reported by The Business Desk, K3 Capital Group appointed KR8 Advisory’s Jimmy Saunders and Mike Lennon as Joint Administrators of LoveRaw on April 16.

“Whilst the vegan food space continues to be competitive, we expect the LoveRaw brand and products to be a great success with the investment and in-house manufacturing capabilities which the Smart Organic Group brings,” said Saunders.

Smart Organic was founded in 2009 and operates in more than 60 countries with a portfolio of over 1300 products, including vegan bestsellers such as Kookie Kat and chocolate-coated Roo’ Bars. The vegan chocolate market is expected to continue growing rapidly over the next few years, potentially reaching USD $4 billion by 2032.

Read more: Ella Mills Buys Allplants After Brand Falls Into Administration

Previous investment in LoveRaw

LoveRaw was founded in 2013 by Rimi Thapar and her husband, Manav. LoveRaw’s award-winning range included favorites such as the Cre&m Wafer Bar. Rimi appeared on the TV show Dragons’ Den in 2018, but rejected a £50,000 offer in favor of private investment. In 2020, the brand received a multi-million-pound investment from Blue Horizon Ventures.

At its peak, LoveRaw was stocked by major supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose, and enjoyed popularity with shoppers. The brand showed particularly significant growth between 2019 and 2021, and was featured by the Financial Times in March last year.

However, LoveRaw has experienced several years of investment and supply challenges that have resulted in declining revenue. According to some customers, the brand paused some subscriptions in 2023 and failed to fulfill orders on time, while products became hard to find in stores.

Read more: AllPlants Recipes To Return To Market After Being Bought By GRUBBY

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

The UK-based vegan meat brand is known for its alternatives to sausages, burgers, and nuggets, but its new products come amid growing demand for more “natural” plant-based options. The Super Superfoods range features two products, Super Block and Marinated Pieces, both made with whole-food ingredients.

“We have created a whole new plant-based protein and texture using nothing but natural ingredients – it’s like discovering a new superpower,” said THIS CEO Mark Cuddigan. “We think that’s pretty super…so much so, we named it twice! The plant-based category is evolving, and THIS is Super Superfood offers consumers something new – a product and format that is high in protein and also delivers a delicious, versatile, and nutritious option.”

The Super Block is made with fava beans, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, and seeds. It contains 18g of protein per 100g and also provides Omega-3 and iron. The Marinated Pieces are made with the same whole-food ingredients, infused with a lemon and herb marinade.

Read more: Happiee Launches Easy-Cook Lion’s Mane Mushroom In ‘UK first’

THIS heads in a new direction

While THIS’ vegan meat products will still be widely available on supermarket shelves, this new launch marks a shift away from its sole focus on alternatives that are sometimes considered “ultra-processed.”

THIS plans to add more items to its Super Superfood line later this year, in a bid to give consumers “more options” when it comes to purchasing meat-free foods.

“THIS isn’t going anywhere… We’re just growing,” said Cuddigan. “We still make the best plant-based meat alternatives, but now we’re giving consumers more options. The future for the plant-based category is about creating something for everyone, whether you’re a meat-lover, flexitarian, or fully plant-based. So whether you want meat-like texture or whole-food protein, we’ve got you covered.”

Both products will launch in Tesco stores nationwide on April 28. Waitrose will stock them from April 30, followed by Sainsbury’s in May. The Super Block will also be available in Asda in May. Both products are priced at £3.95.

Read more: Tiba Tempeh Launches New Smoky Block As Distribution Expands

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

The closures will affect the two remaining restaurants in the UK, which are located in Camden and Wembley in London. As reported by The Sun, 150 jobs will be affected. Neat Burger previously operated in over a dozen locations in various countries, but it now only has two branches remaining in Milan.

“We have no further comment at this time, other than to confirm that the business has taken the difficult decision to close its UK restaurants,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Neat Burger had been widely praised for its food since launching in 2019. The chain is known for specializing in plant-based alternatives to popular fast food items like nuggets and burgers. In early 2024, it announced it would be prioritizing “healthier” fast food options, like salads and sandwiches.

Read more: Vegan Restaurant Unity Diner To Return

Neat Burger’s financial issues

The chain has experienced some highly publicized financial difficulties in recent months, attributed to decreased footfall due to changing work patterns and rising operational costs. The new wave of closures comes 18 months after Neat Burger shut down four of its previous eight London locations, following a 140 percent rise in losses.

Neat Burger is one of a number of plant-based restaurant closures to attract media attention in recent months – but such closures are by no means limited to vegan eateries. The hospitality industry has been struggling across the board amid rising costs and shifting consumer habits.

This article was amended on April 23, 2025, to remove mention that Neat Burger is still operating in New York City. Neat Burger has shut down its New York City branch.

Read more: Lewis Hamilton’s Dog Is ‘Like A Puppy Again’ On Plant-Based Diet

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

UK-based company Vegan Food Group (VFG) has collaborated with San Francisco food tech brand Eat Just to secure exclusive European rights to its flagship product, Just Egg. The product, which is currently seeing skyrocketing sales in the US, will be manufactured at VFG’s site in Lüneburg, Germany, later this year. VFG, which also owns Meatless Farm, VFC, Tofutown, and Clive’s Purely Plants, will be investing £11.5M (USD $15.2M) into manufacturing and distributing Just Egg.

VFG chairman Matthew Glover said he was “thrilled” to be bringing this “game-changing” product to the UK and EU for the first time. “This partnership is a huge leap forward in transforming plant-based food across Europe,” he added. “Welcome to the future of eggs. No chickens required.”

Read more: Tiba Tempeh Launches New Smoky Block As Distribution Expands

What is Just Egg?

Just Egg is a realistic egg alternative product made from mung beans. It’s free from cholesterol and is typically sold in liquid form, allowing it to be poured directly into a pan and cooked like traditional eggs. It’s designed to replicate the texture and function of scrambled eggs, and is commonly used in breakfast dishes, baking, and other recipes that call for eggs.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Just Egg is becoming increasingly mainstream in the US due to rising prices of traditional eggs. The bird flu outbreak has caused egg shortages and record prices in recent months. This led Just Egg sales to soar at five times the rate of the year before. 

Europe has a large plant-based market, so it’s likely that Just Egg’s arrival on the continent will see sales rise even further. “European consumers clearly desire innovative, sustainable food options, and collaborating with VFG is key to meeting that demand effectively,” Eat Just co-founder Josh Tetrick told The Grocer. “This investment in the Lüneburg facility represents a crucial step towards making high-quality plant-based egg alternatives widely accessible to our global audience.”

Read more: Pinky Cole Hayes Announces Buy-Back Of Slutty Vegan

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

The block is infused with a smoky marinade and can be used in a variety of dishes, including stir-fries, sandwiches, and pastas. It will be available on Ocado from April 18 and in Waitrose and Sainsbury’s at the end of the month. The 220g product, which retails at £3.00, is a new addition to Tiba Tempeh’s growing plant-based range, which also includes an Original Block and Sweet Chilli Pieces.

“We’re so excited to launch our new Smoky Tempeh as a natural extension to our best-selling Original Block,” said Alexandra Longton, cofounder of Tiba Tempeh, in a statement. “We’ve crafted the tastiest protein-packed tempeh,
which we know consumers will love. We think this is the tastiest tempeh on the market, and we can’t wait for people to try it.”

Read more: Pinky Cole Hayes Announces Buy-Back Of Slutty Vegan

Tiba Tempeh expands

The product launch coincides with increased retail distribution for the brand. From April 30, Waitrose will carry three of Tiba Tempeh’s products – Original Block, Sweet Chilli Pieces, and Smoky Block – in over 200 stores for the first time. The brand will appear under Waitrose’s “BrandsNew” platform, which highlights emerging brands in the food space. “We are delighted to be working with Waitrose to bring more naturally delicious and nutritious plant-based options to even more consumers,” Longton said.

Tiba Tempeh is currently the UK’s largest tempeh-only brand and has seen rapid growth despite a downturn in the overall meat-free category. The brand reports a 736 percent year-on-year increase in retail sales value, representing a £1.2 million (USD $1.5 million) rise over the past year. Longton attributes the growth to increasing consumer demand for minimally processed alternatives to conventional meat substitutes.

Read more: Vegan Restaurant Unity Diner To Return

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Cole Hayes, who founded Atlanta-based Slutty Vegan in 2018, said that “cash-flow issues” over the past year and a half led to her losing the business, leading to what she called the “toughest experience” of her life. 

“In 2023, my corporate overhead was $10 million. I was profitable at the unit level. I did double-digit millions last year in revenue. But when you look at my balance sheet, there’s a lot of debt there,” she told Forbes. “And because the market is so volatile, people really don’t want to just expend their money in situations like this.”

Cole Hayes added that she fought for her company for a year and bankrolled it herself before surrendering. She lost the company for just over a month before eventually managing to buy it back again. “I’m happy that I have it again,” she said. “Because it’s rightfully mine. And I know that it deserves to be a billion-dollar brand.”

Read more: Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole Hayes Opens New Bar Vegan Branch

‘I went through every emotion imaginable’

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Opening up about the experience in a recent Instagram video, Cole Hayes said that the company went through a global restructure in February. She added that she went through “every emotion imaginable” when trying to save the business. Addressing her followers on camera, Cole Hayes teased that they should “show up for the new owner” and encouraged them to swipe to the next video to find out who it was. The follow-up clip revealed Cole Hayes herself walking into her restaurant.

Since opening seven years ago, Slutty Vegan has expanded to a dozen locations in the South and Southeast of the USA. It specializes in plant-based burgers, with each being given a tongue in cheek name like “Fussy Hussy” and “One Night Stand.”

Read more: The Surprising Strategy Behind Slutty Vegan’s $100 Million Success

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

The complaint, made by animal welfare non-profit A Bit Weird, was lodged on April 7 – the same day the CMA was granted new consumer protection powers. Under the new powers, the CMA has authority determine if key consumer protection laws have been breached without going through courts. This means that it’s able to “act more swiftly and directly to protect UK consumers.” According to A Bit Weird, this marks the complaint as a “landmark.”

The Happy Egg Co and marketing

The Happy Egg Co, which is owned by British food supplier Noble Foods, is one of the UK’s largest “free-range” egg producers. It’s known for its depictions of seemingly well-cared-for chickens living in green fields with lots of space. According to the complaint, The Happy Egg Co’s marketing and imagery of its farms is at odds with the reality for many hens that provide its eggs.

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A post shared by The Happy Egg Co (@thehappyeggco)

Examples cited in the complaint include The Happy Egg Co’s claim that it provides “calming and enriching environments” for hens. This is despite previous investigations documenting overcrowded conditions on farms with limited enrichment items. 

Marketing materials for The Happy Egg Co tend to show healthy and fully-feathered hens. Investigations, however, have uncovered “injuries, feather loss, and beak trimming” affecting some Happy Egg hens, according to A Bit Weird. Beak trimming is standard practice in the UK egg industry.

Other allegations include misleading use of the slogan “Happiness First” to refer to hens, and claims that hens have “lots of room to roam, relax and play.”

In response to the complaint, a spokesperson for Noble Foods told Plant Based News: “We strongly refute these allegations which do not reflect the conditions on our farms or the values of our brand. We are committed to ensuring transparency with our consumers, and work closely with our farmers to ensure they meet our stringent welfare standards, with each farm independently audited by third parties including the RSPCA Assured.

“The welfare of our hens is our highest priority, and each hen has daily access to ranges, for eight hours or more, and our ranges provide a minimum of 20 percent tree cover, which is significantly above free-range standards. We also provide enriching indoor environments with perches and toys, and all housing meets or exceeds RSPCA Assured standards.”

Read more: ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Features Segment On Egg Alternatives

Is The Happy Egg Co ‘duping British consumers?’

This isn’t the first time The Happy Egg Co has come under fire for its marketing. In May 2024, animal rights charity Animal Justice Project filed a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over the company’s allegedly “misleading” TV, radio, and internet adverts. 

In October, Veganuary founder Matthew Glover accused the company of “welfarewashing” after an advert featuring actor and farmer Kelvin Fletcher stated that hens in a lush green field “certainly do look very happy.” 

A 2021 investigation by PETA documented conditions on three farms supplying The Happy Egg Co. Birds were kept in large, overcrowded sheds, which investigators said could prevent them from engaging in natural behaviors like foraging, flapping their wings, and roosting comfortably. Birds were also subjected to mutilations like debeaking. 

Many people believe that “free-range” farms house birds in green fields, but the reality is often very different. At one of the farms investigated, the outdoor space was a “bare, muddy ground with only a few dilapidated wooden shelters,” according to PETA. 

Speaking about the new CMA complaint, A Bit Weird founder Andy Shovel said: “74 percent of UK adults consider animal welfare when they decide which groceries to buy, so it’s unsurprising that brands try to tap into this huge driver of purchase intent. But we believe that The Happy Egg Co is duping British consumers with cartoons of lush green meadows and smiling hens that are jumping for joy, when the reality is quite grisly. That’s just a bit weird.”

To coincide with the complaint, A Bit Weird has launched a petition calling for The Happy Egg Co to change its name. You can sign the petition here. 

Read more: Brits Being ‘Systematically Misled’ About Meat, Dairy, And Eggs, Study Finds

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

The vegan restaurant, which is situated in east London, will start welcoming customers again from this Friday (April 5).

“In December last year we just couldn’t see a way in which we could possibly continue,” the diner wrote on Instagram. “However, we are beyond thrilled to say that after on-going negotiations with our landlords throughout the past couple of months, alongside investment from one of our co-founders, we’re relaunching with a fresh energy, and a new menu.”

As well as “UD classics” like Tofish and Chips and Mac and Cheese, the menu will also feature new options including a vegan carvery on Sundays.  

Unity Diner was founded by activist and author Earthling Ed (real name Ed Winters) in 2018. In a statement to Plant Based News, Winters confirmed that he will be stepping back from the restaurant to focus on other projects.

“The support of the community throughout January was absolutely incredible and completely blew all of us away,” Winters said. “We’re so grateful for the support and kindness that we received and I am delighted that we have been able to work with the landlords. I am thrilled to say that this means that Unity Diner is going to be reopening and will be beginning a new and exciting chapter.”

Read more: Vivera Buys The Vegetarian Butcher From Unilever

Unity Diner returns

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Unity Diner closed its doors at the start of February, citing rising costs. Following the closure announcement, the restaurant received huge support from the vegan community, alongside donations to Surge Sanctuary, which it supports. 

“Our ethos remains the same – we’re here to provide great vegan food, spread awareness for animals and raise funds for @thesurgesanctuary,” the restaurant said. “But we can’t do it without you! Only with your continued support can we make this work and keep this space thriving for the vegan community and the sanctuary.”

Read more: UK’s ‘Fastest-Growing’ Meat-Free Brand Tiba Tempeh Secures £1.1 Million In Funding

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

The companies, which are both based in the Netherlands, specialize in vegan meat alternatives. According to Vivera, the brands “complement each other in many ways.” The Vegetarian Butcher has a strong presence in foodservice and quick-service restaurant channels, while Vivera’s branded and private-label products are widely available in retail.

“By combining these two companies, we create a purpose-driven business with highly motivated people,” said Vivera CEO Willem van Weede. “Accelerating the protein transition is more important than ever.”

Read more: Lidl and ProVeg Partner For Plant-Based Cheese Competition

A plant-based powerhouse

Despite market fluctuations, plant-based foods continue to show strong long-term growth. Vivera has been making plant-based meat since 1990, and has played a key role in developing the market in the Netherlands. Alongside alternatives to salmon, mince, and kebab meat, Vivera also launched whole foods-based protein bites last year, catering to growing demand for minimally processed “clean label” products. Its products can be found in 32,000 supermarkets across 25 European countries. Vivera was acquired by JBS in 2021. 

The Vegetarian Butcher, which was founded in 2010 in Utrecht, was bought by Unilever in 2018. It was first reported that Unilever was considering selling the brand in September 2024. The British consumer goods giant worked with investment bank Piper Sandler to auction off The Vegetarian Butcher, after reportedly making the decision to focus on its major international brands like Hellmann’s and Ben & Jerry’s.

“I believe that The Vegetarian Butcher is poised for even greater success in the next phase of its journey under new ownership that is dedicated to plant-based meat replacements,” said Heiko Schipper, president of Unilever foods, in a statement. “This focused expertise will support the brand in its ambitious goal to become the ‘Biggest Butcher of the World’.”

The sale of The Vegetarian Butcher is expected to be completed by Q3 2025.

Read more: UK’s ‘Fastest-Growing’ Meat-Free Brand Tiba Tempeh Secures £1.1 Million In Funding

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Between March and April, the Swedish brand will hand out more than 20,000 free flat white coffees made with its signature oat milk in Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Oatly will bring its coffee-ready tour bus to Sainsbury’s car parks and town squares in each city, as well as partnering with local cafes who will be giving away additional drinks.

In addition to the upcoming giveaway, Oatly has also announced a multimedia advertising campaign centered on an Oatly taste test carried out by Cambridge MR. The test found that up to four times as many consumers prefer oat milk than are currently purchasing it.

The new ads include slogans like “I love Oatly in coffee if I don’t know it’s Oatly,” and feature images of people with their eyes covered. The campaign includes large billboards, as well as video adverts on social media, Spotify, Netflix, ITVX, and Channel 4.

Read more: Potato Milk Brand DUG Announces Further European Expansion

‘People love Oatly in their coffee, they just don’t know it yet’

Research published by The Vegan Society in January found that the UK is shifting away from animal products and towards plant-based options nationwide. Meanwhile, the Good Food Institute (GFI) found that plant-based milk, in particular, has become mainstream.

However, studies also indicate that the vegan label and its connotations still puts some people off. If Cambridge MR’s taste test is representative, it could mean that millions more Britons would enjoy the taste of Oatly’s plant-based milk – if they were willing to try it.

“People love Oatly in their coffee, they just don’t know it yet,” said Oatly’s executive creative director Filip Nilsson. “Our blind taste tests showed there are potentially millions of people missing out on a first-class taste experience, so we’re going on a journey to sample delicious Oatly coffees to people across the UK who may never have had the chance to try it before – proving what we know to be true. Our oat drinks taste delicious.”

In February, Oatly announced its full 2024 financial results. The statement details “significantly improved” profitability and stronger margins, and Oatly expects 2025 to be its first year of profitable growth as a public company.

Read more: Brits Being ‘Systematically Misled’ About Meat, Dairy, And Eggs, Study Finds

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

The German supermarket chain has partnered with ProVeg Incubator, the business incubation arm of plant-based NGO ProVeg International, to facilitate the competition.

Applicants can submit finished products, but they can also submit any ingredients and technologies that will facilitate future plant-based cheese production. The Lidl x ProVeg Cheese Alternative Innovation Competition aims to reach the “most innovative” startups.

ProVeg Incubator’s alumni have had products stocked in more than 15,000 stores worldwide, and raised more than USD $450 million. ProVeg provides its startups with mentoring and industry contacts, as well as €300,000 ($328,000) in funding and in-kind services.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Lidl on this exciting innovation competition,” said Antje Räuscher, the head of ProVeg Incubator. “Plant-based cheese remains one of the most dynamic areas for growth and development in the food sector, and this initiative provides an important platform to showcase groundbreaking solutions.”

Read more: ‘World First’ Vegan Mozzarella Pearls Launch In The UK

Competition winner will join growing Vemondo Plant! range

In January, Lidl became the first major retailer to use the Vegetarian Society’s new “gold standard” Plant-Based Trademark, to reflect changing customer demands. In October, Lidl announced plans to triple its plant-based range and added 28 new Vemondo Plant! products.

The Lidl x ProVeg competition winner will pitch their product to Lidl’s “top decision makers,” before collaborating with Lidl to list the new plant-based cheese under the supermarket’s private Vemondo label, available on shelves in selected stores throughout Germany.

“We’re looking to hear from applicants who bring something extraordinary to the table,” said Lidl Germany’s head of purchasing Christoph Graf, in a statement. He added that they are looking for “true innovation” in categories with the “greatest potential for improvement.”

Applicants can register here until the final deadline, which is April 27, 2025. All applicants must have a business registered in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). Completed product entries must be approved for sale in Germany and be market-ready.

Read more: Plant-Based Milk And Meat Are Now Mainstream In Europe, Report Finds

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

According to the report by Changing Markets Foundation and Mighty Earth, no major food retailer reports the methane emissions in their supply chain. Nor do they have methane emissions reduction targets. This is despite meat and dairy accounting for an estimated third of their total emissions, the report says.

The 20 top-grossing retailers in the US and Europe assessed in the report include Tesco, Lidl, Walmart, and Costco. They received scores across 18 indicators, such as their recognition of the link between methane and animal products, their emissions reporting, and whether they set targets for increasing sales of plant-based proteins. Tesco scored the highest, but still has a lot of room for improvement with 51 out of 100 possible points.

Read more: Brits Urged To Cut ‘Two Fry Ups’ Worth Of Meat A Week To Reduce Emissions

‘Empty words’

Nine of the supermarkets assessed have made commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2050. But these are mostly “just empty words,” the report says, as meat and dairy remain a “blind spot” in their plans.

Out of the 20 retailers, 11 publicly recognize agriculture’s climate impact. Eight refer directly to methane from farming animals, but none are monitoring and reporting on their methane emissions, even for their own brand products over which they have more control. A small number publicly reference feed additives for dairy herds to reduce methane emissions. Tesco, for example, mentions its trial with dairy brand Arla to feed cows Bovaer, which has proved controversial with customers.

Emissions from meat and dairy and the rest of the supply chain fall under scope 3 emissions, which are indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain. But only six of the supermarkets have scope 3 emissions reduction targets. Instead, they mostly focus on scope 1 and 2, which covers direct emissions such as energy used in stores.

Promoting plant-based options

One area where many retailers are doing better is on offering and promoting plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy. However, the report found US supermarket chains far lagging behind European ones in this regard.

Most of the European retailers offer a wide range of own brand alternatives and invest in developing and promoting these products. Most US retailers by contrast have no own brand options or only offer a limited selection. According to the report, demand for alternative proteins is similarly strong in the US as it is in Europe, with a growing number of people aiming to cut down on their meat consumption.

Read more: Denmark Agrees Deal On Agriculture Emissions Tax

Several supermarkets including Tesco, Lidl, and Carrefour have set sales targets for their plant-based alternatives. Lidl, for example, is aiming for a quarter of its protein sales to be plant-based by 2030.

Retailers must step up their climate action by “setting targets to reduce their methane emissions and reporting transparently on these,” the report says. It recommends that they set methane reduction targets of at least 30 percent by 2030 from a 2020 baseline. It also recommends that they work towards 60 percent of the protein they sell being plant-based by 2030.

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.