If you’ve been disheartened by the recent wave of vegan restaurant closures across the US, you’re not alone. It’s a difficult time for plant-based businesses as they contend with rising rents and fuel prices, staffing challenges, and customers with less disposable income.
But the situation isn’t without hope. We spoke with several determined vegan restaurateurs and chefs who are doing everything they can to keep the lights on at some of the country’s most beloved plant-based institutions. You can read more about their efforts here, but first, it’s time for this week’s food news. We’ve got updates on Trader Joe’s, vegan toddler milk, plant-based pasta, and more.
There’s good news and bad news at Trader Joe’s. | VegNews
A loss and a gain at Trader Joe’s
We’ll give you the good news first: Trader Joe’s has just launched new organic Greek-style vegan yogurts. Keep an eye out for Mixed Berry and Strawberry Vanilla cashew and coconut yogurts, both of which pack in 10 grams of protein per serving.
And now for the bad news. Unfortunately, it seems Trader Joe’s has discontinued its Dairy-Free Cheddar-Style Slices. According to recipe blogger Cadry Nelson of Cadry’s Kitchen, a Trader Joe’s crew member told her the slices had been axed due to slow sales.
There might be some still left lurking on shelves, so if you’re a fan, make sure to stock up—it’s probably your last chance.
Ripple Foods’ new toddler milk is filled with important nutrients, including calcium and prebiotic fiber. | Ripple Foods
Ripple launches plant-based milk for toddlers at Walmart
Popular dairy-free milk brand Ripple Foods has announced a new product: Ripple Toddler Plant-Based Milk. Available in Original and Unsweetened Original, the new drink follows the successful launch of Ripple Kids and is available exclusively in Walmart’s baby aisle.
Ripple Toddler Plant-Based Milk is formulated specifically for children ages 12 to 36 months. Each serving of the vegan milk contains eight grams of pea protein, along with omega-3 fatty acids, choline, prebiotic fiber, and calcium.
“We’ve seen how strongly Ripple Kids resonates with families looking for protein-forward, allergen-friendly nutrition,” said Ripple CEO Becky O’Grady. “Ripple Toddler allows us to support families even earlier, with nutrition designed for this important stage and a shelf-stable format that can go wherever their day takes them.”
Nuts for Cheese has teamed up with Pietro’s to launch a new vegan filled pasta. | Nuts for Cheese/Pietro’s
Nuts for Cheese expands into plant-based pasta
Since 2015, Canadian brand Nuts for Cheese has supplied North American shoppers with high-quality fermented plant-based cheeses as well as vegan butter, cream cheese, and, more recently, creamy cashew dips. Now, the brand is expanding its range again with a new filled tortellini.
Nuts for Cheese has teamed up with gluten-free pasta brand Pietro’s to launch Roasted Red Pepper Dip Filled Tortellini. If that sounds like your thing, and we know it sounds like ours, look for it at Whole Foods Market, Fortinos, Natura Market, Mama Earth Organics, and Marché TAU.
Two of Riff’s new meal kits are vegan. | Riff
Eleven Madison Park chef Daniel Humm brings plant-based meal kits to Target
Daniel Humm, the acclaimed chef behind Eleven Madison Park, the Michelin-starred restaurant that formerly served an entirely vegan menu, has created a new line of meatless meal kits. Humm teamed up with Mark Ramadan, former CEO of Hu Kitchen, to launch Riff at Target.
The range includes two vegan options: Coconut Curry Noodles and Sesame Ginger Noodles. The remaining varieties, Spicy Tomato Rigatoni, Creamy Parmesan Cavatappi, and Garlic Lemon Rotini, contain dairy.
“For me, food is a language, and Riff is about giving people the confidence to speak it in their own way,” Humm told Nosh. “I wanted to bring more joy into everyday cooking and make delicious flavors feel within reach. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. My hope is that Riff gives people the freedom to be creative, trust their instincts and feel proud of what they make.”
Giadzy’s entire line is currently plant-based. | Giadzy
Giada De Laurentiis’ new food line is totally vegan
Food Network celebrity chef and Dancing With the Stars contestant Giada De Laurentiis has long embraced plant-based ingredients, from whole foods to vegan meat alternatives such as Beyond Meat. It is fitting, then, that her Giadzy product line is currently entirely plant-based, featuring organic, artisanal pasta; gluten-free pastas; wholesome, minimally processed tomato sauces; custom spice blends; and Italian-made extra-virgin olive oils.
Find the range at retailers including Erewhon, Gelson’s Markets, and Sprouts, as well as independent health food stores and pasta shops across the US.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
