January 2025 has not been wanting main occasions. A few of them, just like the Los Angeles wildfires, have been devastating. However amid the tragedy, there have additionally been demonstrations of energy and group. Companies from everywhere in the county have come collectively to donate provides to these in want. Manufacturers like Past Meat, Veggie Grill, Vurger Guyz, and extra throughout Los Angeles are giving out free meals to evacuees and firefighters. Monty’s Good Burger has even turned its areas into donation hubs for animal charities.
Vurger Guyz helps with hearth aid efforts | Vurger Man
Different tales which have made the headlines this week embody the launch of Nasoya’s new Energy of 9 marketing campaign, which is devoted to educating individuals in regards to the protein content material of tofu. A brand new examine additionally urged that swapping bacon for nuts might cut back the danger of dementia, and there was additional analysis into creating dairy-like plant-based cheese.
That’s not all. Under, you’ll discover extra information about Maya’s Cookies’ new Black Historical past Month assortment, mycelium breakfast patties at Sprouts, and even a model new plant-based course on the College of California.
Vegan meals information
This week in meals information: A brand new particular assortment arrives at Maya’s Cookies, Hodo and Meati Meals are increasing into retailers, Heura steps up its innovation sport, and Ben & Jerry’s unveils a brand new dairy-free taste.
Maya’s Cookies
Maya’s Cookies launches fifth Black Historical past Month assortment
Maya’s Cookies is the nation’s high Black-owned vegan cookie firm, and for Black Historical past Month, it’s launching a particular assortment in honor of The Golden Age of Black Tv. The caramel chocolate chip and fudge-loaded A Completely different S’wirled, for instance, celebrates the enduring sitcom A Completely different World, whereas Scandalous (with amaretto, vanilla, and cherry) pays tribute to Olivia Pope of Scandal. There’s additionally Good Instances—named after the Nineteen Seventies sitcom of the identical identify—which options crispy chocolate chip peanut butter bark. For the complete assortment, discover out extra at Maya’s Cookies.
Meati Meals’ mycelium breakfast patties launch at Sprouts
Colorado-based Meati Meals focuses on vegan meat made with mycelium (the basis construction of mushrooms). Its merchandise embody juicy, tender, plant-based whole-cuts like Crispy Cutlets and Carne Asada Steaks. And now, Meati Breakfast Patties are becoming a member of the lineup. Lately launched in Sprouts Farmers Markets throughout the US, Meati Breakfast Patties are cholesterol-free and are a very good supply of protein and fiber.
Hodo
Tofu model Hodo expands to main retailers
Tofu model Hodo is taking issues to the subsequent stage. Its in style merchandise (like miso tofu, Indian-spiced tofu, and its tofu scramble) are heading to the cabinets of main retailers throughout the nation, together with Big Martin’s, Meijer, and Harris Teeter. “Youthful generations are consuming extra tofu,” mentioned Hodo Founder Minh Tsai in a press release. “This offers an excellent motive for retailers to increase their tofu choices to supply protein choices that aren’t solely flavorful, contemporary, and nutritious but additionally provide ingredient transparency.”
Heura opens a plant-based meat innovation laboratory
Heura is dedicated to innovation. The Spanish plant-based meat model simply revealed it’s opening a brand new laboratory, which it would use to develop new, game-changing merchandise. The model is on a mission to maneuver away from the negativity related to the ultra-processed class—the brand new merchandise will probably be nutrient-dense with fewer components, modified scratches, and saturated fat.
Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s launches new vegan ice cream
Ben & Jerry’s already has quite a few dairy-free choices in its in depth ice cream providing, however there’s at all times room for yet one more. The favored frozen dessert model simply re-launched its Bohemian Raspberry taste—sans dairy—within the UK. “A scrumptious concord of vanilla ice cream, fudgy brownies, and a raspberry swirl, ‘Bohemian Raspberry’ unites music & ice cream to create a show-stopping non-dairy taste fandango,” the model’s assertion reads. A proportion of the proceeds will probably be donated to the Mercury Phoenix Belief.
Vegan trade information
In vegan trade information, there’s a brand new plant-based hen choice at Nice State Burger, vegan eating places are on the rise in Latin America, and the College of California welcomes a brand new vegan-themed course.
Nice State Burger
Nice State Burger provides Rebellyous’ signature plant-based hen patty to the menu
Washington-based burger joint Nice State Burger simply expanded its menu to incorporate vegan hen. The chain partnered with plant-based meat model Rebellyous Meals to launch the brand new Rebellyous Plant-Primarily based Hen Burger earlier this month. “We’re excited to introduce a plant-based Hen Burger that’s scrumptious and accessible to all, aligning with our dedication to supply high-quality, sustainable meals choices,” Nathan Yeager, Co-Proprietor of Nice State Burgers, mentioned in a press release. “The response from prospects has been overwhelmingly constructive.” Notice: The burger patty itself is completely vegan, but it surely does include American cheese.
Vegan eating places have surged by 21% in Latin America, says new analysis
A brand new survey, performed by Veganuary Latin America and HappyCow, means that the Latin American vegan scene is prospering. It discovered that there at the moment are greater than 10,000 vegan-friendly eating places within the area, which is a major enhance of 1700 since 2023. The survey famous that Brazil is probably the most vegan-friendly nation. “The outcomes are very constructive, not solely due to the nation’s good place within the rating however as a result of they present that there’s a massive—and sometimes unknown—vary of prospects for consuming vegan outdoors the house in Latin America,” Mauricio Serrano, director of Veganuary Latin America, mentioned in a press release. Mexico and Colombia, too, are high Latin Individuals international locations for vegan meals choices, trailing simply behind Brazil.
The College of California launches a brand new plant-based meals system course
The College of California lately revealed it could offer Plant Futures: Introduction to Plant-Centric Meals Techniques to all college students. The expert-led course, set to begin in January 2025 and end in Could 2025, will cowl modules like well being and diet, animal welfare, media, plant-forward cooking, coverage and regulation, and innovation. The course was created by lecturer Brittany Sartor and vegan chef and entrepreneur Miyoko Schinner.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and author based mostly in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.