Unveiled at its annual presentation at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference in Boston the range Hormel Foods’ first project under its Cultivated Foods umbrella.
Happy Little Plants products have distribution in select retail outlets now, with further expansion planned in the coming months. The processor said that numerous retailers and foodservice operators have expressed interest based on the exceptional taste, versatility, and simple ingredient statement.
The range’s flagship product is a ground plant-based protein alternative containing 20 grams of non-GMO soy protein, is only 180 calories, with no preservatives, no cholesterol and is gluten-free.
“Hormel Foods has one of the most admired brand portfolios in the industry, led by our legacy of industry-leading innovation,” said Jim Splinter, group vice president of corporate strategy at Hormel Foods. “We are continuing to build an organization that has the agility and adaptability to create products to align with today's dynamic marketplace.
“We understand consumers across a spectrum of lifestyles are adopting more flexible attitudes and behaviors when thinking about food, especially given the wide variety of products available in the marketplace,” added Splinter. “We intend to focus on all the ways plants can help consumers find alternatives in their food routines.”
The Happy Little Plants brand is part of Hormel Foods’ plant-based and blended protein innovation range that began in 2014 with the launch of the Hormel Fuse burger in the company's foodservice business. This has expanded to include additional plant-based pizza topping items produced at its Burke Corporation subsidiary and the Applegate Blend Burger, a product that blends organic meat with organic mushrooms.
Last month, Smithfield Foods launched the Pure Farmland range of plant-based products aimed at a variety of meal occasions.
