The end of January is closing in, which means it’s officially time to start thinking about spring. Sorry, February, but we’ve got our eyes firmly set on lighter days and warmer evenings (we’ll make an exception for the day of love, though—check out our favorite heat-shaped chocolate cake recipe here).
If you’re also looking ahead to the change of season, Salt & Straw is following its Vegandulgence series with a brand-new soda shop-inspired flavor for February. Below, we’ve got a few of the details you can expect. Plus, there’s news of yet another new vegan flavor from Salt & Straw, a big update on plant-based shrimp, and a major announcement from Amy’s Kitchen.
Salt & Straw is following up its Vegandulgence series with a new, soda-inspired vegan flavor. | Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw just announced a new vegan flavor
Salt & Straw isn’t one to skimp on vegan options, and for that, we’re grateful. Earlier this month, the popular ice cream chain debuted a dairy-free, gluten-free Black Forest ice cream cake, along with its limited-edition Vegandulgence series for January.
Now, it’s announced that another plant-based treat is coming at the end of January: the Cocoa Nib Root Beer Float. The sorbet, part of The Chocolatiers Series, is made with indulgent dark chocolate from San Francisco-based brand Dandelion Chocolate. We can’t wait to dig in.
Bayou Best Foods’ vegan shrimp could be coming to an eatery new you. | Bayou Best Foods
The next nationwide cafeteria option: vegan shrimp
For a while, the plant-based protein market was heavily focused on burgers and nuggets—but now, it’s seafood’s turn. By 2031, the plant-based seafood market is expected to reach a value of $1.3 billion, according to reports. If you’re craving plant-based shrimp, Bayou Best Foods is poised to widen the vegan meat’s availability. The vegan seafood brand specializing in pea protein shrimp has partnered with Sysco, US Foods, and Performance Food Group (PFG)—nationwide foodservice distributors that service venues like independent and chain restaurants, hospitals, schools and universities, hotels, casinos, corporate cafeterias, sports stadiums, convention centers, and convenience stores.
“Nationwide availability is a major milestone for Bayou Best Foods,” Kelli Wilson, Bayou Best Foods’ CEO, said in a statement. “By partnering with the distributors chefs already rely on, we’re making it easier than ever to offer plant-based shrimp that cooks, tastes, and satisfies just like ocean shrimp.”
Mr. Charlie’s first San Diego location will hold its grand opening on February 7. | Mr. Charlie’s
Los Angeles’ ‘Vegan McDonald’s’ opens in San Diego
Viral vegan fast-food restaurant Mr. Charlie’s has officially opened its first location in San Diego, CA. Featuring a menu of plant-based McDonald’s dupes (like the Big Mac facsimile Mr. Chuck, “Not Chicken Nuggets,” and breakfast egg muffin sandwiches), the chain is now open with limited hours for a soft launch before a grand opening on Febuary 7.
The new location marks Mr. Charlie’s fourth location (and its first franchise location), following two in Los Angeles, one in San Francisco, and international outpost in Sydney, Australia. The brand says a second San Diego location is up next, followed by a massive expansion into Arizona.
Amy’s Kitchen has officially earned Non-UPF status.
Eat up: Amy’s Kitchen is now certified non-ultraprocessed
It’s been hard to ignore the growing conversation around ultra-processed foods (UPFs). A rising body of research suggests that relying too heavily on foods in this category—such as potato chips, candy bars, and TV dinners—may be damaging to human health. As a result, many consumers are seeking out more minimally processed options.
Good news if you’re among them: Amy’s Kitchen is now part of the UPF-free club. The vegetarian food brand is a new pilot participant in the Non-UPF Verified program from the Non-GMO Project, which aims to certify brands that avoid certain additives and overly industrial food-processing methods.
“For nearly four decades, Amy’s has believed that how food is made matters just as much as what goes into it,” Paul Schiefer, president of Amy’s Kitchen, said in a statement. “Participating in the Non-UPF Verified pilot reflects how we’ve always operated—prioritizing thoughtful processing, transparency, and long-term integrity over shortcuts.”
Passion Flour’s baked goods could soon start shipping nationwide. | Passion Flour
Popular vegan bakery closes in Utah, but will soon go nationwide
Passion Flour, a vegan bakery in Salt Lake City, UT, has closed its doors after more than a decade. According to owner Jessica Davies, the closure is due to her decision to move out of Utah, which means she can no longer run the bakery in person.
Still, Davies isn’t giving up. She confirmed that a “new chapter” for Passion Flour is on the horizon, and it’s one that could allow the brand to reach even more people. She hopes to use a commercial kitchen space to ship her beloved vegan baked goods nationwide.
“Once I’m settled, I’ll begin working on shipping and sharing those updates here,” Davies wrote on Instagram. “Until then, we’d love for you to stop in and grab your favorites while you can, support our incredible staff, and celebrate these final days with us.”
The bakery’s final day will be February 1.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
