Cheese Snack Packs, Lunchables, and More Vegan Food News of the Week

From vegnews.com

From a plant-based take on Lunchables to snack packs filled with dairy-free cheeses, fruit, and nuts, we’re serving up the best in vegan food news of the week

It seems that every week in the world of vegan food news is more exciting than the last and this week is no exception. Two dads created a vegan take on Lunchables with new brand Mighty Yum. And GOOD PLANeT is upping its snacking cheese game with new Snack Packs filled with vegan cheese, fruit, and nuts. Is snacking on ice cream more your thing? NadaMoo!’s got it covered with its new frozen ice cream bites. Read on for more. 

1Dairy-free cheese snack packs 

Vegan brand GOOD PLANeT Foods is an innovator in the dairy-free cheese space and offers shreds, slices, and cheese wheels. It might be best known for beating Laughing Cow to the punch with last year’s launch of its snackable vegan cheese wedges in Original, Pepper Jack, and Smoked Gouda flavours. 

And while Laughing Cow is still finalizing a vegan version of its cheese wedges (for real!), GOOD PLANeT continues to develop exciting offerings. 

GOOD PLANeT Foods

“As the demand for plant-based cheese continues to grow, consumers have been vocal about not having enough quality options,” GOOD PLANeT Foods Co-CEO Bart Adlam said in a statement. “At GOOD PLANeT Foods, we are constantly looking for ways to bring the joy of cheese to more consumers who are looking for ways to eat more plant-based foods.”

The company is now launching Snack Packs that combine cubes of its vegan cheeses with fruit and nuts for an easy on-the-go snack. Starting in October, the new packs ($1.99 each) will be available at retailers in two varieties: Smoked Gouda with Dried Cranberries and Almonds and Cheddar with Dried Cranberries and Cashews.

“With snacking continuing to grow quickly in the USA, our new Snack Packs are a delicious, healthy, and satiating alternative,” Adlam said. “We are committed to growing the plant-based cheese segment and confident that this innovation will bring new consumers and eating occasions to the segment.”

2Vegan Lunchables

The children in our lives—and kids we still are at heart—deserve a plant-based version of Lunchables, a nostalgic meal solution that has been around since 1988. Enter Mighty Yum, a new brand founded by Marc Elkman and Howard Panes, two health and wellness industry veterans and dads who wanted to help their kids eat better. 

Mighty Yum

The resulting products are Lunchables-like kits that feature all plant-based ingredients in three familiar flavours: Turkey and Cheese, Ham and Cheese, and Pepperoni Pizza. Each colourful box comes with vegan meats, dairy-free cheeses, and crackers, all designed to help kids make better food choices. 

“Teaching healthy and nutritious eating at an early age is essential for lifelong healthy eating,” Marc Elkman said in a statement. “Mighty Yum does this in a way that makes eating healthy, accessible, and fun for children.”

Mighty Earth is brand new and its vegan lunch kits will launch on its website in November and debut at grocery and convenience stores in late 2022/early 2023. 

3Ice cream legend NadaMoo goes from pints to bites

From pints to bars to sandwiches, we love ice cream in every single format as long as it’s vegan, of course. And iconic vegan ice cream brand NadaMoo! in Austin, TX is delivering the frozen treat in a bite and we’re here for it. 

NadaMoo!

NadaMoo’s new Frozen Snack Bites! feature a core of its coconut milk-based ice cream wrapped in a chewy coating (think mochi). The new line will be available in five flavours: Salted Caramel, Mint, Peanut Butter, Mango, and Orange Creme. 

“We’ve just made it even more convenient to enjoy NadaMoo!,” said Daniel Nicholson, President and CEO of NadaMoo!. “We wanted to create a delicious option for a wider variety of occasions. Now, even if you’re on the go, you can enjoy your favourite non-dairy dessert. NadaMoo! is for anytime, anywhere.”

The new ice cream bites are coming to stores in early 2023 but will be available through NadaMoo’s website at the end of 2022. 

4Hippeas new vegan snacks are all about yellow peas

Snack brand HIPPEAS is known for its tasty chickpea-based puffs and chips. The company is now giving other peas a chance—its tagline, by the way—with the launch of Veggie Straws made with yellow peas, a sustainable plant protein source that helps maintain soil health.

HIPPEAS

The new HIPPEAS Veggie Straws just launched at Whole Foods Market locations in three flavours: Straight Up Sea Salt, Rockin’ Ranch, and Sour Cream and Onion. In addition to yellow peas, the new line features other veggies such as tomatoes, red beets, spinach, and kale for an added flavour and nutrition punch. 

“At HIPPEAS, we’re all about ‘Giving PEAs a Chance!’, so we’re really excited about the launch of HIPPEAS Veggie Straws and the introduction of a new plant-based snack offering featuring yellow peas,” HIPPEAS CMO Julia Hecht said in a statement. “Yellow peas come from the same legume family as our beloved chickpea, and provide a delicious taste and crunch experience that really elevates our Veggie Straw line.” 

5Birria quesadillas, Beyond chicken salads, and more menu updates 

If you’re craving something special this weekend, vegan chain Native Foods will be unveiling its October Chef’s Special: The Birria Quesadilla. 

Native Foods

The flavourful meal features vegan beef and cheese stuffed into a grilled tortilla served with a birria consommé made with onion and cilantro for dipping. To give the quesadilla even more flavour, the tortilla is brushed with the birria consommé before hitting the grill.

The first Native Foods opened in Palm Springs, CA in 1994 and the forward-thinking chain now operates 11 locations in California, Colorado, and Illinois where vegan meals span burgers, bowls, tacos, sandwiches, sweet treats, and monthly specials.

Hungry for more? Beyond Meat’s vegan chicken just became a permanent protein on the menu at Just Salad, which operates more than 50 locations across New York, New Jersey, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Dubai. 

Just Salad is featuring the new vegan chicken in its Chipotle Cowboy Salad and Beyond Chicken can be used as a protein in any build-your-own option.

The plant-based meat addition is part of the chain’s overall mission to continue improving its sustainability metrics. As such, customers who bring in a reusable bowl on October 12—or purchase a meal in-app with Just Salad—will get a free serving of Beyond Chicken.

https://vegnews.com/2022/9/vegan-food-news-of-the-week-september-30