Plant-Based Foods Gain Traction

Sales of almond milk and veggie burgers, among other plant-based foods, jumped 20% over the past year.

July 31, 2018

NEW YORK – Consumers from all walks of life are embracing plant-based foods these days, as almond milk and veggie burgers move into the mainstream, Bloomberg reports. Sales of plant-based foods soared 20% over the past 12 months to reach more than $3.3 billion, according to Nielsen and the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA). The largest category within plant-based foods is nondairy milk, which accelerated 9% over the past year, while cow milk sales dropped 6%.

“These foods have moved into the mainstream,” said Michele Simon, PBFA executive director. “They’re not just for the relatively small niche of vegan or vegetarian.”

Companies that sell vegetarian and vegan products have connected with new customers. “Five years ago, our customers were largely self-classified as vegan or vegetarian, with a sprinkling of ‘flexitarians,’” said Kelly Swette, CEO of Sweet Earth Enlightened Foods. “More and more, consumers identify as ‘leaning towards less meat.’”

Big food manufacturers such as Campbell Soup Co. are also coming out with plant-based alternatives. For example, Campbell now offers Bolthouse Farms Plant Protein Milk. “Campbell introduced [it] to give people an alternative to both traditional dairy milk and lower-protein alternative milks,” said Anita Shaffer, Campbell’s global nutrition program manager.

“Consumers are looking for something that gives them the experience of meat without downsides,” Will Schafer, vice president of marketing for Beyond Meat. “Or, as I like to say, you can have your burger and eat it, too.”

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