News: New Vegan Candy Hits Walmart, Neat Burger Bows Out of the UK, and Sunday Supper Shoots for $2.5 Million

From vegnews.com

This week in food news: Neat Burger is shutting its UK locations, Italian frozen meal brand Sunday Supper announces new $2.5 million funding round, Walmart launches new vegan candy, and much more

If you’re finding it hard to prioritise your health right now, you’re not alone. According to new findings from Aflac’s Wellness Matters Survey, 90 percent of Americans delay vital health screenings and check-ups—appointments like colonoscopies, blood tests, and pap smears that could help save lives by catching issues early.

The reasons vary: some people cite a distrust of doctors or fear of bad news, while others face logistical barriers or are discouraged by long wait times.

Still, prioritising your health doesn’t have to start at the doctor’s office—what you put on your plate matters, too. Emerging research shows that foods high in potassium, such as sweet potatoes and bananas, may help lower blood pressure and support heart health. Another recent study suggests that good gut health might help reduce the risk of blood cancer.

Public efforts to promote healthier diets are also gaining ground. In New York, hospitals are helping patients make better food choices with a smart, plant-forward strategy—and it’s working. In Spain, a new law is bringing more vegetables and legumes to school menus. Meanwhile, brands are stepping up with accessible, nutrient-dense food options that align with evolving health and sustainability goals. 

Read on for even more plant-based food news, including more on these initiatives. 

Sunday Supper

Sunday Supper announces $2.5 million funding round

Sunday Supper, a plant-based frozen Italian meal brand, has just announced a $2.5 million seed funding round. The brand, known for its chef-crafted, handmade frozen meals, currently offers seven products, including Three Cheeses Lasagna, Italian Sausage Lasagna, Mozza Fritto, and Italian Baked Manicotti. It plans to bring them to more than 1,000 retailers by the end of the year.

Sunday Supper has also strengthened its executive team. Spencer Oberg joins as CEO, bringing experience from Good Planet Foods, alongside Matt Williams as Head of Sales and Chris Hays as CMO. Co-founder Richard Klein continues as Head of Brand and Product, while Florian Radke remains an advisor.

“We’re leaning into our strong brand and existing traction to expand retail presence and explore innovative new products and revenue channels,” said Oberg in a statement. “I couldn’t be more excited to lead this company and incredible team into what’s next—redefining how delicious, indulgent staples we love can also be healthy, plant-forward, and centre stage in our shopping carts.”

New York City hospitals develop strategy to help nudge patients towards plant-based meals

Per Canary Media, New York City’s 11 public hospitals have developed a smart strategy to encourage patients to choose healthier, more environmentally-friendly plant-based meals. Instead of simply offering people the choice of meat, fish, or veg, staff start by recommending three different plant-based dishes to patients. Dishes include offerings such as burritos and curries, for example. If the patient isn’t interested, they move on to offer them three more alternatives—all still plant-based. If they’re still not fussed, it is only then that a meat option is offered. More than half of the patients, however, don’t say no twice in a row.  

The hospitals developed the strategy with the nonprofit Greener by Default. ​“The idea is to make the sustainable choice the path of least resistance, without getting into the big political and cultural fights,” said CEO Katie Cantrell.

Holland America cruise line adds more vegan options to onboard restaurant menu

Holland America has added new vegan options to the menu at one of its onboard restaurants. Now, diners sitting down to enjoy a meal at Tamarind (one of the five specialty restaurants on Holland America’s ships) can choose from options like Vegan Tom Kha Thai Coconut Soup, Vegan Singapore Mei Fun, and Vegan Pineapple Coconut Tapioca. The new menu will begin rolling out to ships this month. 

“The new Tamarind menu continues to celebrate the vibrant flavors of Asia with a fresh vision, while staying true to the restaurant’s roots,” said Michael Stendebach, Vice President of food, beverage, and rooms division for Holland America Line. “Tamarind is a popular restaurant, and we’re continuing to build upon the innovation that has defined this venue since the beginning.”

Canva

Spanish schools to offer more healthy plant-based foods to children 

Schools in Spain will soon prioritize fresh, healthy, plant-based foods, following the approval of the Royal Decree on Healthy and Sustainable School Cafeterias by the Council of Ministers. The new law mandates that all children, regardless of family income, have access to sufficient fruits, vegetables, and legumes. 

While schools will also offer more fish, they are now required to provide plant-based meal options as well. Additionally, the law limits the availability of sugary drinks and caffeinated beverages. “Every day, all children and adolescents will have access to healthy and nutritious food, regardless of their family’s income,” said Consumer and Social Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy.

New project aims to make 60 percent of the protein consumed in Europe plant-based

Backed by €10.3 million (about $11.7 million) in funding , the Giant Leaps project is on a mission to shift Europe’s protein consumption from 60 percent animal-based to 60 percent plant-based by 2050, with a 50:50 split by 2030. Led by Paul Vos, PhD, at Wageningen University, the initiative supports the European Union’s Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork strategy by evaluating alternative proteins, such as plant-based, fungal, microbial, and cultivated options, for health and environmental impact. 

“The aim is to make the most impactful changes in diets by replacing traditional animal protein products like meat or dairy with alternatives that have an optimal balance of both health and environmental benefits,” said Vos.

Heura launches new vegan herby chicken burger

Spanish plant-based brand Heura has announced the launch of a new product: the Fine Herbs Burger. The new vegan chicken burger (which, according to the brand, offers “unprecedented juiciness”) is packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats. It was designed specifically for the Spanish market, where white meat is popular.

Häagen-Dazs

Häagen-Dazs sorbets are rolling out to US stores now

Häagen-Dazs announced the launch of its new non-dairy sorbets in March, and now, they’ve officially started appearing in stores. Per Big Box Vegan, the new flavors (Summer Blueberry and Lemon, Passion Fruit and Sweet Pear, and Sweet Lemon Coconut) have been spotted in retailers. The brand confirmed this with an Instagram post, which read: “Scoop into something refreshingly new. Our three new non-dairy sorbet flavors … are here to brighten your day with bold, fruity flavor. Which one are you trying first?” 

Lewis Hamilton’s Neat Burger closes UK locations

Neat, the vegan burger chain supported by Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio, is closing all of its UK locations. Launched in 2019, the brand will shut its last two UK restaurants—located in Soho and Camden, London—by the end of April. Currently, its sole remaining location is in Milan, Italy. Formerly known as Neat Burger, the company has not provided additional details about the closures, stating only, “At this stage, we have no further comment.”

Happiee

Happiee launches easy-cook lion’s mane mushrooms

Happiee, which offers vegan shrimp and calamari in stores across the UK, is branching out. The British vegan brand has just announced the launch of its easy-cook Lion’s Mane Mushroom Chunks, the first product of its kind in the UK. Available in original and teriyaki flavors, the product is set to roll out to 240 Sainsbury’s locations across the country. According to the brand, it wants to offer consumers a less-processed, meaty vegan alternative.

“Our primary focus is on creating nutrient-rich, exciting foods made with mind-and-mood-boosting ingredients to drive consumer cut through at a time where we’re seeing the plant-based meat category declining due to the ultra-processed food link,”  Justin Chou, co-founder and CEO of Happiee, said in a statement. “We want to be the fresh face of the plant-based whole food category, where we see a huge growth opportunity.”

Walmart launches new vegan candy under Bettergoods range

Last year, Walmart launched Bettergoods, an affordable range of free-from and plant-based products, including boxed vegan mac and cheese, cookie bites, and non-dairy oat milk. Not all of the products in the range are plant-based, but it does offer an extensive vegan offering. Recently, per the Instagram account Big Box Vegan, it expanded that offering with the launch of vegan candy sour belts, straws, sour gummy cockatoos, and new double-stuffed birthday cake cookies.  

“Today’s customers expect more from the private brands they purchase—they want affordable, quality products to elevate their overall food experience,” Scott Morris, Senior Vice President, Private Brands, Food, and Consumables, Walmart, said in a statement at the time of the launch. “The launch of Bettergoods delivers on that customer need in a meaningful way.”

New survey reveals nearly half of Americans are interested in going vegan for the environment

A new survey from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) suggests that nearly half of Americans would consider adopting a plant-based diet for the planet. On top of this, the survey, which counted more than 2,200 participants, found that around 40 percent agreed with meat and dairy taxes. It also suggests that more than half of the population believes the government should incentivize farmers to move from animal farming to plant-based farming. Read more about the findings here. 

https://vegnews.com/food-news-walmart-neat-burger-sunday-supper 

Plant-Based Eating Helps Reduce Grocery Costs According to New Study

From vegconomist.com 

A recent analysis by CouponBirds challenges the widespread belief that plant-based diets are more expensive than conventional eating habits. The study, which examined grocery costs for six common dietary preferences in the United States, found that vegetarian and vegan diets ranked among the most affordable options, with the average vegan shopper saving $34.24 per month compared to an unrestricted diet.

Data was collected in December 2024 and January 2025 across the top three grocery retailers in the US: Walmart, Kroger, and Target. Costco was excluded due to its wholesale model.

Researchers applied filters to products based on dietary requirements, focusing on vegan, halal, gluten-free, and other relevant categories. The data set was built by scraping prices from a wide range of grocery products, ensuring it reflected the purchasing habits of an average household, as outlined in a 2024 report by Drive Research.

© CouponBirds

Plant-based diets help reduce grocery costs

While plant-based diets are often perceived as expensive, the study suggests that vegan and vegetarian diets can actually lead to significant savings. A vegetarian diet was the most cost-effective, reducing grocery bills by $130.36 per month, while a vegan diet cut costs by $34.24 per month.

Many of these savings came from substituting animal-based proteins with plant-based alternatives. For example:

• Replacing crab legs ($14.18) with oyster mushrooms ($5.11) saved $9.07
• Replacing salmon ($10.54) with tofu ($4.23) saved $6.31
• Even plant-based ground beef ($7.47) was cheaper than conventional ground beef ($8.86)

While some specialty vegan products, such as vegan croissants ($12.99 vs. $5.38 for conventional croissants), carried a premium, the study noted that many plant-based staples like beans, grains, and vegetables remain some of the most affordable grocery items. Additionally, common snack foods, such as potato chips and barbecue sauces, are often vegan by default, making plant-based eating more accessible than many assume.

© CouponBirds

Dietary restrictions and higher grocery costs

In contrast, dietary restrictions based on food intolerances or religious guidelines led to increased costs. A gluten-free diet added $111.20 per month to grocery expenses, while a lactose-free diet resulted in an additional $46.72 per month. These price hikes were largely due to specialty processed foods like gluten-free breads and dairy-free alternatives.

The findings suggest that the idea of plant-based diets being inherently expensive is often based on selective comparisons rather than overall grocery spending. As vegan and vegetarian options continue to expand in mainstream retailers, increased competition and availability may further drive down prices, making plant-based eating an even more affordable choice in the future.

https://vegconomist.com/studies-and-numbers/plant-based-eating-helps-reduce-grocery-costs-according-to-new-study/

Food News of the Week: Meatless Jamie Oliver Meals Land at Walmart, Another Coffee Chain Ends the Dairy-Free Surcharge, and New Vegan Ice Cream at Salt & Straw

From vegnews.com

This week in food news sees the dairy-free market heat up with funding and innovation, new interesting research on consumer habits, and a new plant-based line at Walmart from Jamie Oliver

Veganuary has officially ended, but if you missed the boat, don’t worry, because Dairy-Free February has just started. As you might have guessed, this campaign involves giving up all dairy products for the 28 days of February—you can read all about the campaign and how to get involved here. 

In West Hollywood, CA, city councillors are also encouraging consumers to keep going with plant-forward lifestyles beyond Veganuary (more details on that below). And following through on that is easier than ever—Beyond Meat is expanding its steak range, and as you’ll see below, there are more options hitting Walmart thanks to Jamie Oliver.

If you’re heading to New Orleans for the Super Bowl, you can even grab a hearty vegan meal during the game (find out more about the city’s best plant-based choices here, including some options at the Superdome).

Keep reading to learn more about this week’s food news, including the reason why Scooter’s Coffee has finally said goodbye to extra dairy-free milk charges and some new interesting research on falafel burgers.

Jamie Oliver to launch plant-based pouches in Walmart stores

In recent years, Jamie Oliver has shown a significant interest in vegetarian and plant-based cooking. In 2019, he even released Veg, a cookbook devoted entirely to meat-free recipes. Per The Grocer, the popular British chef is now set to launch six new plant-based products in 325 Walmart stores across the US.

                                                                                                                                                               Jamie Oliver

The products, which are described as “ambient pouches,” include varieties like Spiced Pineapple Rice, Mega Med Grains, and Ras El Hanout 4 Grains. All products seem to revolve around whole foods, like rice and grains. Megan Van Someren, Chief Commercial Officer at Jamie Oliver Group, told The Grocer: “2025 is the year where we will see the potential of the Jamie Oliver brand in retail come to life in full.”

Scooter’s Coffee drops plant-based milk upcharge

Scooter’s Coffee, the fourth largest coffee chain in the US, is following Starbucks’ lead and dropping its dairy-free milk charge. The company, which has more than 800 locations, decided to drop the extra charge after discussions with the animal rights non-profit Mercy for Animals. “We are thrilled that Scooter’s Coffee has listened to their customers and taken this important step,” Jennifer Behr, Corporate Relations Manager at Mercy for Animals, said in a statement.

She added: “Charging more for plant-based milk isn’t just an unfair pricing practice — it’s an equity issue. We’ve seen first-hand how upcharges create barriers for people who are lactose intolerant, particularly in communities of colour, where lactose-intolerance rates are significantly higher.”

Salt & Straw launches new vegan flavour for February

Popular ice cream company Salt & Straw, which has scoop shops in multiple states, including California, Nevada, Florida, and New York, has launched a new range called The Chocolatiers Series for the month of February. It includes one new plant-based flavor: Hazelnut Chocolate Cookies and Cream. The ice cream features chocolate hazelnut-stuffed Oreos, chocolate barley milk, and hazelnut chocolate fudge swirls. It’s available for order from the Salt & Straw website right now.

Heura targets medical doctors with a new plant-based campaign

Spanish brand Heura, which specializes in plant-based products like cold cuts, burgers, and chunks, has been promoting the health benefits of a plant-based diet to students in Barcelona, Spain. The brand parked a van with the slogan “A plant-based diet can increase your life expectancy by 10 years” outside Barcelona’s Faculty of Medicine and handed out vegan sandwiches to students taking their Medical Residency Entrance exams. 

Marc Coloma, CEO and co-founder of Heura Foods, said in a statement: “We want to invite the doctors of the future to lead the shift towards a more sustainable and conscious diet, benefiting both people and the planet with alternatives designed to be as delicious as they are healthy.”

Founder of vegan meat brand THIS launches animal welfare organization

Andy Shovel—who co-founded the popular British plant-based meat brand This but took a step back from operations in 2024—is now setting his sights on starting up a new animal welfare organization. The new organization is called A Bit Weird and aims to shine a light on the strange practices of the meat industry and the reasons we eat animal products. 

Shovel told The Guardian that he wants to come at vegan activism from a slightly different angle than other animal rights organizations. “I’ve had this itch for years,” he said. “There’s almost a gap in the market with animal advocacy, if I’m going to be a businessperson about it, for someone to take quite serious messages and market them in a not serious way.” Learn more about A Bit Weird here.

PlantBaby raises $4 million to make vegan milk for kids

Food technology company PlantBaby just raised $4 million in seed funding to make more dairy-free milk products for children. It already has one vegan product, Kiki Milk, on the shelves in several major retailers across the US, but the new funding will help it expand even more. 

                                                                                                                                                                  PlantBaby

“Improving the health of future generations is our North Star as both parents and entrepreneurs,” said PlantBaby founders Alex and Lauren Abelin in a statement. “We’re committed to providing the cleanest, most nutritious, and delicious products—for your family and ours—because every child deserves the best.”

Major Israeli drink company moves into algae-based dairy alternatives

The Central Bottling Company, one of Israel’s biggest drink companies and the country’s Coca-Cola distributor, is moving into dairy-free products. The company just partnered with Brevel, a food tech startup that specializes in making alternative protein products with microalgae. 

The Central Bottling Company’s head of innovation Lihi Rothschild said in a statement: “As we pursue our strategy of continuous innovation to deliver superior products that respond to evolving trends and customer demands, partnering with Brevel is a natural fit.”

Vegan cheesemaker Jay&Joy buys competitor after €2 million funding round

French vegan brand Jay&Joy specializes in making everything from dairy-free blue cheese to camembert. But the brand is on a mission to get a bigger chunk of the market—it recently purchased another vegan cheese brand, called Les Nouveaux Affineurs, after raising €2 million in a funding round. 

“Our ambition is clear: to offer exceptional plant-based alternatives while preserving our traditional know-how and accelerating our European expansion,” said Jay&Joy CEO César Augier. “This acquisition marks a crucial step in strengthening our leadership in a fast-growing market.”

Acme Smoked Fish to start distributing vegan smoked salmon

Acme Smoked Fish, a smoked fish purveyor based in New York, has announced it is branching out into plant-based products. The seafood company has partnered with Konscious Foods to start distributing its Plant-Based Smoked Salm’n to food service customers, which include delis, restaurants, and bagel shops. “We are thrilled to work with Konscious Foods to bring this exciting new product to market,” Eduardo Carbajosa, CEO of Acme Smoked Fish, in a statement. “As consumer preferences continue to evolve, our growing product portfolio can appeal to both traditional consumers as well as those seeking other options. Plant-Based Smoked Salm’n is a versatile solution crafted by Konscious with care to meet our highest quality standards.”

Vegan food trends

This week in food trends: why Americans actually prefer falafel to plant-based meat burgers, Europeans are embracing planet-friendly diets, and West Hollywood, CA commends Veganuary’s impact.

Americans prefer falafel burgers to plant-based meat

The plant-based meat market might be consistently growing and innovating, but not everyone wants it, suggests a new study. Research from three universities—Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), Humboldt University Berlin, and Georg August University Göttingen—found that out of four different burgers, American consumers who opted for meat-free options preferred falafel burgers to plant-based meat options. 

                                                                                                                                                                        Canva

This could be linked with growing awareness of the negative reputation surrounding ultra-processed foods. According, to economist Steffen Jahn, Interim Professor of Marketing & Innovation at MLU: “This contradicts the widespread assumption that meat substitutes are only competitive if they are as close as possible to the original.”

West Hollywood City Council commends Veganuary and encourages residents to eat more plants

In a recent proclamation, West Hollywood’s City Council commended Veganuary and local organizations that promoted the month-long plant-based campaign for helping to encourage a more sustainable way of eating. It also took the opportunity to encourage its local residents to eat more plant-based foods for the planet.

“The City Council of the City of West Hollywood hereby recognizes Veganuary, Plant Based Treaty, Animal Welfare Alliance, and Plant Futures at UCLA, in advancing plant-based advocacy,” reads the proclamation. The City encourages residents and community members to explore the benefits of plant-based diets for personal health, environmental sustainability, and ethical well-being.”

Sandra Hungate, Director of Veganuary US, said the organization was “excited” by the proclamation. She added: “We also appreciate and congratulate the local organizations and students who helped raise awareness for Veganuary in the area.”

New survey finds more than half of Europeans are changing their diet for the planet

Across the Atlantic, in Europe, consumers are also prioritising planet-friendly diets. One recent poll by FMCG Gurus—which included 10,400 people from 13 European countries— suggested that 52 percent of people in Europe had moved to more eco-friendly eating habits in the last two years. Out of those people, nearly 30 percent said they had reduced their meat and dairy intake specifically.

https://vegnews.com/jamie-oliver-walmart-salt-and-straw-dairy-free-surcharge 

Walmart Launches Affordable bettergoods Line With New Vegan Products

From peta.org

Walmart’s new private-label food brand, bettergoods, is bringing more vegan options to the grocery chain’s shelves. The bettergoods line features affordable products—many of which are under $4—and includes several items that are vegan, which means they’re free from any ingredients stolen from animals.

Some of the new offerings include a line of oat milk–based frozen desserts in flavours like Mint Chocolate Chip Oatmilk and Blueberry Swirl Oatmilk.

© Walmart

There’s also creamy, cow-friendly boxed Macaroni and Cheeze available in two flavours—Original and White Cheddar Style.

                                                                                                                                       © Walmart

Walmart also announced a plant-based cheese that has a cheesy pull when melted and is under $4.

Choosing these new non-dairy options instead of cow’s milk–based products means that you’re not supporting the cruel dairy industry, in which playful, intelligent, and loving mother cows are kept perpetually pregnant and their babies and milk are taken from them.

While the vegan products have green packaging and are labelled “plant-based,” indicating that they’re free of animal-derived ingredients, some of the other items in the bettergoods line may also be accidentally vegan—just check the label.

If you’re looking for more tips on how to go vegan, order our free vegan starter kit today:

SEND ME A FREE VEGAN STARTER KIT!

https://www.peta.org/living/food/walmart-bettergoods-vegan/