Expo East 2022: Plant-Powered Innovations

While this year’s Natural Products Expo East at the Philadelphia Convention Center saw plenty of plant-based meat innovations, there was far more spanning beyond protein alternatives. With everything from Green Banana Pasta and Sweet Potato Toast to Jackfruit-based Chicken patties and Kelp-based Sea Veggie Burgers, exhibitors tapped new ingredients, formats and categories for their better-for-you product launches.

Jack and Annie’s

Plant-based protein brand Jack and Annie’s introduced three new frozen chicken alternatives at the show including Crispy Jack Patties, Buffalo Jack Patties and Crispy Gluten-Free Jack Tenders. Like all of the brand’s products, the new additions are made from jackfruit and are vegan-friendly. The new products are available at retailers nationwide including Sprouts, HEB, Wegmans, Publix, Giant, and Stop & Shop.

Roots

New York-based Roots Farm Fresh introduced a new format to its frozen spud lineup: Sweet Potato toast. The brand’s 3-SKU portfolio, which includes Sweet Potato Fries and Croutons, are all made with sweet potatoes sourced through its collective of small farms. The products are available online and in-store at retailers including Kroger for $5.99 per 15 oz. bag.

Meatless Farm

Alt-meat maker Meatless Farm is aiming to differentiate itself in the crowded plant-based market with the launch of two packaged ravioli products in Italian Sausage and Roasted Chik’n & Garlic varieties. The plant-based, meat-filled pastas are gluten and soy-free and available in a 9 oz. pack.

Helena’s Hummus

A new brand, Helena’s Hummus debuted at the show with two varieties – Natural Classic and Roasted Red Bell Pepper – packaged in 4.2 oz. squeeze pouches. The hummus is made with olive oil and chickpeas and has positioned itself around its “Grab & Go” format, a packaging type that competitor brand Ithaca Hummus also exhibited during the show.

Blackbird

Plant-based pizza and seitan brand Blackbird expanded into a new category with the debut of its vegan chicken wings at the show. The crispy, boneless wings come in Classic Buffalo, Thai Chili, Texas BBQ and Korean BBQ flavors and will launch soon, according to its website.

Siete

Mexican-American food brand Siete has introduced four new vegan canned beans including Charro Beans and three refried varieties: Pinto, Ranchero and Black Beans. The Charro and Ranchero products both include tomatoes and spices. Siete’s organic beans are available fro $2 per 16 oz. can.

Mighty Yum

Aiming to bring easy, plant-based lunches to kids, Might Yum debuted with a 3-SKU line of lunch kits containing an assortment of plant-based meat, cheese and crackers. The products are packaged in a plastic tray and come in Pepperoni Pizza, Ham and Cheese and Turkey and Cheese varieties.

Strong Roots

Frozen food brand Strong Roots entered into meals with the release of its new frozen entrees featuring new climate footprint packaging. The Ireland-based brand also launched a range of new frozen vegetable side dishes. The single-serve, Non-GMO project verified meals will launch in early 2023 and come in Thai Veg Curry and Vegan Chipotle Mac varieties.

Atlantic Sea Farms

Maine-based Atlantic Sea Farms (ASF) exhibited its Sea Veggie Burgers in Ginger Sesame and Basil Pesto varieties. The frozen burgers mark the seaweed supplier’s first move into meals and are made with kelp, green chickpeas, pea protein, oat fiber and a range of seasonings and spices. Each box contains 4 burgers and are shipped in styrofoam free packaging.

Solely

Organic fruit and vegetable-focused Solely added to its lineup of snacks and dried pasta with two new products: Mango Passionfruit Gummies and Green Banana Fusilli pasta. The former contains only three ingredients while the pasta is made with solely dried green bananas.