With an assembly of industry leaders located in Virginia, Florida and New York, company sets its sights on the Food Service Industry with a full range of proven plant-based protein cheese and meat alternatives
Gan Shmuel, Israel; Richmond, Virginia; Hudson Valley New York; Rockledge Florida, USA; October 12, 2022 – Vgarden, a leading developer and manufacturer of delicious plant-based, vegan foods, today announced they have made an investment in continued global expansion by formally entering the U.S. market, with an initial aim to supply Food Service Distributors with proven vegan cheese and meat substitutes addressing the growing consumer demand for healthier, more conscious menu items.
Vgarden has developed and marketed a highly successful range of plant-based cheeses, including gouda, mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and cream cheeses, variously flavored and based on coconut oil, with each product meticulously matched in taste, texture, appearance, and presentation to the most popular dairy-based cheeses the world has come to enjoy.
Vgarden’s offerings also include meat alternatives, including plant-based Deli-Slices such as ham, turkey, pepperoni, pastrami, minced meat products such as sausage, hamburgers, kababs and has for years been providing ingredients to some of the world’s most recognized fast and fast casual food chains, powering up vegan alternatives, from pizza and pasta to burgers, burritos, tacos, and other popular dishes.
Leading strategy and business development for Vgarden is highly respected entrepreneur, executive, and investor Meiky Tollman, whose career includes being a driving force of well-known consumer brand Sabra Dipping Company from a $10MM kosher-market business to $500MM in revenue. A proven visionary, Tollman is known for his comprehensive “tipping point” approach to building and scaling efficient and profitable businesses.
Tollman will work closely with the founding team in Israel to recruit, train, organize, motivate, and lead a small team focused on wholesale Food Service, with responsibility for the company’s brand building, go-to-market and business operations.
“We have confident of the fruitful collaboration with Meiky, a proven leader in the U.S. and global food industry” said Ilan Adut, CEO of Vgarden. “Our success in Israel, Australia, Western Europe, and other regions made it clear that Vgarden was more than ready to enter the largest market in the world, but only after we were able to recruit a leader who shares our passion for the mission – bringing tasty, healthy, conscious plant-based foods at reasonable prices to millions of people. We look forward to the smart and steady growth our operations in the US will drive in 2023 and beyond.”
“I am honored to be chosen to contribute to Vgarden, given its outstanding and differentiated products, its stellar leadership team, led so successfully by Ilan, and our shared values when it comes to building not only profitable and sustainable businesses, but meaningful businesses,” Tollman said. “We are moving into the market quickly given the substantial, growing demand from consumers and the restaurants and cafeterias who serve those consumers as more people become flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans. We are here to serve those who serve.”
Notes For Editors
The American plant-based population reached new heights in 2022. The plant-based food industry is booming as thousands of new menu options for vegans are being added.
According to Plant Protein’s sources, 6% of US consumers are vegan (over 10 million).
According to Global Market Research Company, Ipsos, veganism in the US has grown from obscurity to become a mainstream part of the American diet. Since 2004, Americans turning plant-based has grown from around 290,000 to nearly 10 million.
Even though the actual percentage of vegan Americans is relatively small, a report by market research firm, Nielsen shows that 39% of Americans claim that while their diets are not fully plant-based, they eliminate as many animal-related food products as possible and strive to one day be completely vegan.
The plant-based meat market is predicted to register a compound growth rate of 18.9% by 2026.
In addition to meat substitute products, vegan alternatives to commonly animal-based goods such as dairy have also seen significant increases in demand over the past few years.
Globally, the vegan cheese market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2022 to 2030, according to Grand View Research. Shifting consumer preferences are driving this demand, alongside rising cases of lactose intolerance and other food-related allergies.
According to Verified Market Research, the Vegan Fast Foods Market size was valued at USD $17BB in 2020 and is projected to reach USD $40.25BB by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 11.40% from 2021 to 2028.
About Vgarden
Vgarden is a leading developer and manufacturer of a wide spectrum of delicious plant-based, vegan foods. Established in 2015 under Gan-Shmuel Health Industries., Vgarden’s team of experts has gained vast experience while contributing to the success and growth of the Mashu Mashu brand and many other retail brands. Innovations include a wide range of cheeses, appetizing spreads, pastries, nuggets and plant-based meat and fish alternatives. All retail cheeses manufactured by Vgarden are free of preservatives, free of lactose, gluten, trans fats, soy, and cholesterol. All non-GMO and Kosher Parve, Vgarden’s growing range of healthy food is enriched with important nutritional values.
Learn more at vgardenfood.com and vgarden.news, and follow Vgarden on LinkedIn here.
Media contact:
Cynthia Artin, Artin Arts for Vgarden|cynthia@artinarts.com