The EVERY Co. partners with Alpha Foods to deliver cleaner label plant-based products
“EVERY exists to accelerate the world’s transition to animal-free protein. Partnering with established brands like Alpha Foods affords EVERY a conduit to delivering increasing volumes of animal-free protein across channels and geographies while innovating alongside like-minded businesses.”
Working together with Alpha Foods on new plant-based products
As part of the partnership, the two companies entered into a joint development agreement to accelerate the taste and texture profiles of Alpha Food products using EVERY's animal-free proteins.
“With a diverse product line and presence in a variety of retailers including Costco, Sprout’s, Whole Foods, and Kroger, Alpha Foods is known for its deep retail partnerships and innovative approach to problem-solving, making them an ideal partner for us.”
Though it’s “early in the process to identify specific products, lines or introductions that may include offerings from EVERY,” the two companies are already looking at ways that they can work together, said Nick Toriello, VP and head of partnerships for EVERY.
The company “has identified animal-free EVERY EggWhite as an ingredient of interest as Alpha Foods focuses on delivering products with the flavors and textures customers desire, wherever they are on their plant-based journey,” Toriello said. Alt meat producers can use EVERY EggWhite, which is created by precision fermentation, to provide “essential binding and gelation across a variety of temperatures, improve moisture retention, and deliver a desirable meaty taste,” he added.
Can cleaner plant-based products grow the market?
This announcement also comes at a time when many plant-based brands and companies are adjusting to slower growth than the pandemic-era highs. The entire plant-based market was worth $8bn in 2022 but saw unit sales drop 3%, according to Good Food Institute and SPINS data. And on the plant-based meats and seafood side, the value declined by 1%, and unit sales declined by 8%.
Despite these numbers, EVERY is still confident in the growth of the plant-based market and sees tackling the historical issue of formulating for taste, texture, and nutrition as one way of getting the market moving again, Toriello explained.
“There is tremendous promise in the alt meat space, which has established a significant beachhead with demonstrated consumer awareness and demand. The category as a whole will benefit from continuing to focus on the fundamentals of taste, texture, and nutrition while building consumer loyalty and excitement to drive crucial repeat purchases.”
Despite some of the challenges the plant-based sector is facing, brands that focus on innovative products and cleaner labels will lead to brand and category growth, Toriello said. And 78% of consumers are willing to pay more for products with cleaner labels and natural claims, according to an Ingredion survey of 14,000 consumers in 30 markets.
“Ultimately, ingredient simplification, product innovation, and strong storytelling geared to clearly communicating benefits should deliver dividends to category consumers and businesses alike. EVERY is excited to be part of the solution and help bring better-than-ever products to market.”
EVERY Co. tees up future partnerships
As EVERY looks out to the future, the company will "continue to commercialize our animal-free proteins, with an emphasis on building dynamic partnerships that will support near-term and forward demand as we continue to scale the business," Elizondo said.
“Commercially, we’ve seen terrific traction with EVERY Protein in BUILD by Pulp Culture+, and EVERY EggWhite continues to drive tremendous interest in a variety of spheres, from egg replacement across recipes to baking and alt meat. Looking ahead, we are excited to share more in the coming months about additional commercial partnerships that will continue to redefine food formulations.”
