The New Year has officially arrived, but we’re not quite done with 2025 yet. There’s still plenty to celebrate from last year—from Trader Joe’s new pistachio spread to vegan ribs with “real” bones (okay, they’re lemongrass) to Misfits protein bars landing on Target shelves.
Of course, we’re also looking ahead to 2026. Veganuary is here, after all, and millions are set to take part. Let’s dive in.
Trader Joe’s new vegan pistachio spread is made with just three ingredients. | traderjoesaficionado
Trader Joe’s jumps on the pistachio trend with its new, vegan-friendly pistachio spread
If we had to crown one nut the queen of 2025, it would be the pistachio. This vibrant green favorite really took off last year—thanks in part to the viral Dubai chocolate bar as well as its irresistible flavor and versatility. And we’re happy to report that pistachio isn’t going anywhere in 2026. Need proof? Head to Trader Joe’s, where you’ll find its brand-new, vegan-friendly Pistachio Spread. Made with just three ingredients—pistachios, powdered sugar, and sunflower oil—it’s perfect on toast, in sandwiches (pistachio butter and jelly, anyone?), swirled into ice cream, or baked into cookies.
Misfits’ Target launch is its biggest retailer launch yet. | Misfits
Misfits’ candy bar-inspired protein bars land at Target
Popular vegan protein bar brand Misfits has landed at Target. Shoppers craving a chocolate fix can now order the company’s Cookie Butter, Caramel Fudge, Caramel Popcorn, and Brownie Batter bars online or pick them up in-store. According to the brand, this marks Misfits’ biggest retail debut to date. You can also find them in select Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and Whole Foods locations, too.
Offbeast’s vegan ribs feature a lemongrass ‘bone. | Offbeast
Offbeast’s bone-in vegan ribs officially launched—and promptly sold out
If you want to try Offbeast’s bone-in vegan ribs, you’ll have to move fast. The brand recently launched its smoky barbecue Premium Plant-Based Ribs online—complete with edible lemongrass “bones”—and they sold out in just three hours. According to Offbeast, the ribs are “indulgent, savory, and unmistakably rib-like, without relying on animal meat.”
IKEA is backing The Green Dairy to create more affordable plant-based alternatives. | IKEA
IKEA VC arm invests $8.5 million in plant-based dairy
Ingka Investments, the investment arm of furniture giant IKEA, is making a major move in plant-based dairy. The firm has become the largest shareholder in The Green Dairy, a Swedish company focused on plant-based dairy innovation. The Green Dairy has developed its own upcycled oat ingredient, reOat.
An Ingka Investments spokesperson told Impact Loop: “This majority stake will provide The Green Dairy with greater stability, which is needed for sustainable long-term growth. At the same time, we continue to support the company’s mission to develop affordable, plant-based alternatives to dairy products.”
Rebel Cheese will be focusing more on e-commerce in 2026. | Rebel Cheese
Rebel Cheese is closing its Austin location
Rebel Cheese recently shared some bittersweet news. The bitter: its Austin bistro officially closed on December 24. The sweet? The closure allows the Rebel Cheese team to focus more fully on its e-commerce business, wholesale operations, and New York location.
According to the brand, the bistro space at 2200 Aldrich will be taken over by another plant-based concept. “They’ll be keeping the entire bistro team, and the menu will feature some of our top sandwiches and carry Rebel Cheese in the deli case,” the company said.
Eat Just is helping to create a “kinder” world, says PETA. | Eat Just
Eat Just named ‘Company of the Year’ by PETA
Pistachio may be dominating the nut game, but in the egg world, it’s all about mung beans. As the chicken egg industry grappled with soaring prices and bird flu outbreaks, Eat Just’s vegan Just Egg gained serious momentum. Earlier this year, CEO Josh Tetrick told VegNews, “Often, we’re the only egg option in stock, creating an unprecedented awareness opportunity in the plant-based category. I think this is the most important moment for any plant-based product ever.”
PETA agrees. The animal-rights organization named Eat Just its Company of the Year for 2025. “PETA didn’t have to scramble to search for this year’s winning company because Eat Just is not only just as good, but tastier and better than those cholesterol-bomb chicken eggs,” said PETA President Tracy Reiman. She added that the company is helping to “create a kinder, healthier world in which animals are left in peace.”
Veganuary is still going strong for 2026, with millions set to take part. | Pexels
About 2 million Brits will embrace Veganuary this year, says new study
Veganuary first launched in 2014, and since then, the month-long campaign encouraging people to go vegan each January has gone from strength to strength. According to a new YouGov study, around 2 million British people are expected to take part by giving up animal products in January 2026. The popular campaign is backed by many celebrities, and this year Stranger Things star Matthew Modine has joined the cause. “In order to continue evolving and prospering, we must quickly evolve away from the destructive behaviors we currently have,” Modine said. “Cutting back on the consumption of animal flesh is a very tiny step each of us can take to make the planet more sustainable and humane.”
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
