DiGiorno and Stouffer, two major frozen food companies, are looking ahead to 2020 with a new product: plant-based meats.
The new frozen plant-based meat additions to pizza and lasagna could be a part of their parent company Nestle’s effort to achieve zero net gas emissions by 2050. Earlier this September, Nestlé announced that one of its acquired companies, Sweet Earth Awesome Grounds, will provide plant-based hamburger patties and ground “meat.” Soon, DiGiorno and Stouffer will feature the same meat alternatives by Awesome Grounds which has over 60 plant-based proteins.
The company replaces sausage and beef with an alternative created from textured yellow pea protein (similar to Impossible Meat), wheat gluten, canola oil, and coconut oil.
The new DiGiorno’s “Rising Crust Meatless Supreme” pizza features the plant-based protein, mozzarella cheese, green and red bell peppers, onions, and black olives — just like any frozen pizza for meat lovers, without the actual beef. The Stouffer’s meatless lasagna features the same plant-based meat, herb-seasoned tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Both frozen meals will be on shelves by Spring 2020.
Earlier this year, Nestlé commissioned a survey that reported nearly half of the consumers are already eating plant-based meat or are highly considering it for long term dining. Every 3 out of 10 who haven’t tried the plant-based protein said they would if given the opportunity. Nestlé determined that nearly half of the consumers in the survey would eat plant-based meat if used in pizza or lasagna.
“There’s no denying the current modern food movement is revolutionizing the plant-based space,” said John Carmichael, president of the Nestlé foods division in a press release. “By adding Sweet Earth Awesome Grounds to Stouffer’s and DiGiorno offerings, we’re able to offer our customers the chance to incorporate plant-based meals into their diets while still enjoying the same convenience and delicious flavor of brands they know and trust.”
Related: Move Over Meats! How Pizza Makers Can Appeal to the Growing Vegetarian/Vegan Market
Stouffer and DiGiorno are both prominent frozen foods company, and their participation in the plant-based meats trend indicates that plant-based options are here to stay.
