This week brought the very sad news that actor and animal advocate Hayden Panettiere has passed away. In honor of her legacy, we compiled a list of all the ways the star stood up for animal rights, right up until just a few weeks before her death. You can read our tribute to the actor here.
We also took a look at MMA rising star Ian Machado Garry’s secret to success (spoiler alert: he’s vegan) and brought you the exciting news that a Chicana-style, Rugrats-inspired menu has landed in Portland, OR (yep, seriously, there’s even a Tomás Pickles paleta).
Here, we take a look at what else has been going on in vegan food this week. From new granola butter at Trader Joe’s to vegan bacon at Sprouts, there’s something for everyone.
New Field Bacon is sweetened with dates and apples. | Field Roast
Is this the bacon to finally fill the Sweet Earth-sized hole in our hearts?
According to vegan content creator Jason Kartalian, “we have a new contender for the vegan bacon throne.” The contender in question is Field Roast’s Field Bacon, a new thick-cut, plant-based bacon made with wheat gluten, apples, dates, garlic and onions.
Kartalian tried the bacon for his popular social media platform, Vegan Hacks Pod, after spotting it at Sprouts, and he was impressed with the bacon-like texture, chewy consistency, and authentic flavor. He also noted it’s a good option for any fans of the now-discontinued Sweet Earth Benevolent Bacon.
Parmela Creamery’s Munch Boxes give Lunchable nostalgia without any animal products. | Parmela Creamery
Embrace Lunchable nostalgia with these vegan Munch Boxes
Parmela Creamery wants to cater to your inner child. The dairy-free brand’s new Lunchable-style Munch Boxes feature the brand’s own signature cheddar cheese, Prime Roots’ plant-based ham, and crackers (of course). They’re just like the classic childhood staple, but they’re also packed with calcium, protein, and vitamin B12.
Find them now at retailers like Giant Eagle, Woodman’s, and Bestie’s Vegan Paradise (which ships across the US!).
The vegan butter chicken naan can be ready in seconds. | Truly Indian
Vegan butter chicken naan lands at Whole Foods
Indian food fans, we have great news: Truly Indian’s vegan Butter Chik’n Naan is currently on shelves at Whole Foods. The heat-and-eat naan, baked in a clay oven in India, features hand-stretched flatbread topped with a creamy, indulgent vegan butter chicken sauce.
One of the best parts? It can be ready in virtually no time at all. Heat it in the oven for 90 seconds, or pop it in the microwave for 45 seconds.
The new naan is available exclusively at Whole Foods until the end of October.
Dole Whip-flavored vegan whipped cream is on the shelves at Stop and Shop. | @Snack_Time_Tommy
Proof that summer isn’t over yet: Vegan Dole Whip whipped cream
Dairy-free brand Whip’t arguably offers some of the best vegan whipped cream on the market, with three staple varieties—oat, almond, and coconut—to suit everyone’s tastes. But it seems the brand has been working on something even more exciting behind the scenes.
Snack_Time_Tommy recently spotted Dole Whip-flavored vegan Whip’t cream at a Stop & Shop store. The new whipped creams appear to come in two flavors, Pineapple and Strawberry, and contain just 10 calories per serving. The content creator declared: “The Pineapple is giving straight-up classic Dole Whip vibes, but that Strawberry might be the sleeper hit.”
Do you agree? Head to Stop & Shop to find out which one is your favorite.
Trader Joe’s’ new granola butter is made with simple ingredients like gluten-free oats and maple syrup. | Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s just launched its own granola butter
According to Trader Joe’s, its new vegan granola butter “is bound to be the next spreadable hit.” And truly, it might be on to something. Made with creamy, blended gluten-free oats, olive oil, brown sugar, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, the spread is velvety smooth with just the right amount of sweetness.
It’s great for spreading on toast, but you can also use it as a dip for sliced fruit, blend it into a smoothie, or scoop it straight out of the jar.
On Reddit, people are already big fans of the new granola butter. And we’ll whisper this, but some have a theory: it’s actually Oathaus in disguise. “I’m pretty sure this is just Oathaus but white labeled (but don’t quote me on that),” wrote one Redditor. “One of the cofounders (who I follow on Insta) has liked a ton of Trader Joe’s posts about it!”
We can neither confirm nor deny. You’ll just have to put it to the taste test.
Publix’s vegan sub is loaded with plant-based deli meat and fresh vegetables. | Jenny Goldfarb
People are discovering a secret vegan sandwich at Publix Deli that’s been hiding in plain sight
Did you know that around 1,300 Publix Deli locations sell a Meatless Turkey Club made with Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal Deli Meat? If the answer is no, you’re not alone. Many shoppers are just discovering the vegan sandwich because, instead of being displayed on the in-store menu board, it’s hidden away on the electronic ordering menu.
Here are all the details: It’s $7.39 for a six-inch or $10.99 for a footlong. The roll is freshly baked, and you can customize your sandwich with different sauces, fresh salad vegetables, and dairy-free cheese. Okay, now you know. It’s time to do your duty and tell your friends.
Check out last week’s food news
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
