Foodservice Roundup: Delta’s In-Flight Menu Brings Diversity In Focus; Plant-based Partnerships Heat Up
Delta Revamps In-Flight Menu With Diversity In Focus
Aiming to put “people-first” and lead with values on each flight, Delta Airlines has refreshed its in-air foodservice menu with a greater focus on supporting women- and LGBTQ+-led brands, small businesses and diverse suppliers from across the world.
Beginning next month, the airline’s new in-flight snack lineup for domestic flights will include its third SKU from women-owned Kate’s Real Food on board, a lemon coconut bar, in addition to snacks like Miss Vickie’s Sea Salt Kettle Chips, better-for-you candy Vego Bears and France-based Michel et Augustin Dark Chocolate Cookie Squares. On international flights, Delta will offer sundaes made with High Road Craft ice cream, a frozen confections company that prioritizes diversity within its workforce and ingredients sourced directly from smallholder farms in its products.
Additionally, Delta has partnered with Thrive Farmers, a network of independent farmers operating in Rwanda, India, China, Egypt and the United States, to source its English Breakfast tea. Delta One customers will have access to Thrive’s other tea varieties including Guizhou Green, Egyptian Chamomile, Pacific Peppermint and Earl Grey.
“We’re always listening to what our customers tell us they’d like to see onboard, and we’re giving them more of what they say they’re craving, while also making an impact in global communities,” said Kristen Manion Taylor, S.V.P. of In-Flight Service at Delta, in a press release. “Our collaboration with brands like Thrive Farmers builds on our mission to partner with companies who do good in the world by enriching the lives of the people who create their products.”
The airline will also serve Explorer Cold Brew, an LGBTQ-owned brand that sources Fair Trade coffee from a network of farmers in Ethiopia, among a variety of mission-driven adult beverages brands. Other airlines have also recently updated their menus to better align with consumer demands including United which added a range of plant-based meals to its offerings last month. Delta also offers a range of plant-based meals made with Impossible Foods and Black Sheep Foods products.
Abbot’s Butcher x Protein Bar & Kitchen
Vegan meat company Abbot’s Butcher will be offering its Chopped Chick’n at Chicago area restaurant chain Protein Bar & Kitchen. The restaurant will be the first foodservice establishment to carry Abbot’s new gluten-free Chopped Chick’n as a limited-time pilot program during July. The Lincoln Park location is presenting Abbot’s Butcher Chopped Chick’n in the Vegan Goddess Salad and Vegan Egg Roll Bowl as well as offering it as a protein choice for any Protein Bar & Kitchen menu item.
Umaro Foods
Berkeley, California food tech company Umaro Foods announced its plant-based bacon is now available at San Francisco’s Michelin-starred Sorrel Restaurant, New York City’s Egg Shop and Nashville’s D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe. Umaro uses a proprietary seaweed protein to replicate the crunch and flavor of crispy bacon. The company expects to announce additional restaurant partnerships later this year.
TiNDLE X Veggie Grill
Plant-based chicken brand TiNDLE has partnered with 100% plant-based restaurant chain, Veggie Grill. The restaurant group will offer TiNDLE in its Grilled BBQ Chick’n Sandwich and Chinese Chick’n Salad menu items at all 30 locations. TiNDLE is the flagship product of Next Gen Foods that launched the plant-based chicken brand in Singapore in 2021 and later debuted the product in North America in February 2022.
TBH GoPuff Kitchen
Online delivery platform Gopuff announced a collaboration with “Stranger Things” star Noah Schnapp’s hazelnut-spread company, tbh. The limited-edition milkshakes come in three flavors: tbh Strawberry Delight, tbh Chocolate Things and Oh Schnapp tbh Espresso and retail for $6.99 through July 17.
Joe and the Juice x Matcha Bar
Coffee and juice retailer Joe and the Juice has teamed up with MatchaBar to bring matcha drinks to its over 60 U.S. locations. The Danish coffee chain will offer exclusive beverages with co-branded sleeves of pink and green to respectively represent the Joe and the Juice and MatchaBar brands.
