August has been big. Taylor Swift went on a podcast. Taylor Swift announced a new album. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got engaged. There’s been a lot of Taylor Swift news, it’s true. And while we’re here for the pop icon releasing new hits and finding true happiness, we also want to take a moment for some other news: vegan food news.
The last week of the month has brought some exciting developments in the plant-based world. Think vegan beef hot dogs, steak bites, and mini pizzas hitting shelves nationwide. Plus, Starbucks’ fall menu has plenty of dairy-free choices, and New Yorkers are about to be treated to a new vegan lasagna delivery service. Find out more below.
Blackbird Foods
Blackbird Foods’ mini vegan pizzas now in stores nationwide
Plant-based pizza brand Blackbird Foods has launched its new five-inch Pizza Minis in stores across the US. The vegan pizzas (which we recently declared one of the best new products for 2025!) will be available at Whole Foods Markets in two varieties: cheese and pepperoni. “We first debuted Minis at Expo West in March to an incredible response,” said co-founder Emanuel Storch in a statement. “With fall approaching, we know families are looking for quick and easy meal solutions, and we believe Pizza Minis are the perfect fit.”
Impossible Beef Hot Dogs and Steak Bites are available just in time for Labor Day
Two of Impossible Foods’ newest products, Impossible Beef Hot Dogs and Impossible Steak Bites, have rolled out at Sprouts Farmers Markets across the country ahead of Labor Day. The hot dogs debuted last year, but have been difficult to find in stores since, while the steak bites were announced at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA in March.
“They’re packed with protein, no cholesterol, and less saturated fat versus the animal [counterpart],” said Peter McGuinness, President and CEO of Impossible Foods, speaking about the Impossible Steak Bites earlier this year. “You’re not going to find a better plant-based steak option than that.”
Vegan camembert and truffle butter land in US stores
Canadian brand UmYum has launched its dairy-free, cashew-based soft cheeses in US stores, now available at Bristol Farms, Town & Country Foods, and Chuck’s Fresh Markets. The lineup features the Camembert-style Monroe aged cheese, along with distinctive flavors such as Coffee & Pepper and Mango Chutney & Saffron. UmYum has also introduced its gourmet butters in flavors like truffle, classic, and slow-roasted garlic.
Starbucks
Starbucks’ new fall lineup is here
It may still be August, but Starbucks’ new fall menu has dropped. There still isn’t a vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte available, sadly, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other autumnal drinks to choose from. You can find out all about the menu here, but we’ll give you a few spoilers: it features the new Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte, the Pecan Oatmilk Cortado, and plenty of fall-friendly year-round favorites.
New ready-to-eat vegan eggplant parmesan launches
Vegan Italian food brand Sunday Supper has unveiled a new range of single-serve entrées, fittingly called The Singles. The lineup includes a gluten-free Eggplant Parm made with creamy béchamel, marinara, and breaded eggplant. Other additions to the range are single-serve versions of the brand’s popular Italian Sausage Lasagna and Three Cheeses Lasagna, along with a new Fusi alla Vodka.
“The launch of The Singles marks a new chapter for the brand,” said Sunday Supper founder and Chief Product Officer Richard Klein in a statement. “By introducing new serving sizes, we’re creating even more ways to bring everyone to the table to enjoy restaurant-quality Italian classics. We’re especially excited to introduce our first gluten-free entrée with our new Eggplant Parm.”
Cucina Fantasma
New York is getting a new vegan lasagna delivery
Cucina Fantasma, the New York-based, chef-led vegan food brand specializing in fresh, ready-to-reheat lasagnas, is gearing up for a soft launch on DoorDash. The move, announced via the brand’s social media, is part of five distribution strategies it will be trialing in the months ahead.
“Cucina Fantasma exists for people stuck in take-out and computer screen loops who want something home-cooked,” chef and founder Lindsey Masterman writes on the brand’s website. “It’s for dinners with friends in tiny New York apartments, or special third dates. And, on our best days, it’s about moving towards a future that’s delicious, sustainable, kind, and a little more luxurious.”
Salt & Straw launches new vegan flavor for fall
Salt & Straw has revealed yet another new vegan flavor. Just a few weeks ago, we reported that the popular ice cream chain had added vegan choices like Peach Jam Miso Blondies, Hazelnut Cookies & Cream, and Pickled Cucumber Sorbet to its lineup. Now, it’s gearing up for fall with the launch of Hoppy Apple Cider Sorbet, which is made with dry-hopped apple cider. The new flavor is part of the chain’s limited-edition seasonal Apple Series.
New soft serve is made with real milk, but it’s totally dairy-free
Strive Freemilk, a food technology brand that creates dairy products using animal-free whey, has developed a new soft serve. The company shared the news on Instagram with a video of a child enjoying a swirl straight from the machine, writing: “We let the littlest ones test out our new vegan-friendly, lactose-free, protein soft serve!”
Strive already offers a range of animal-free milk products, all made with whey created through precision fermentation. In simple terms, this process uses natural microflora and a “blueprint” from a cow’s DNA to ferment a true dairy protein. The end product is identical to cow’s milk protein and contains all nine essential amino acids.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
