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Nasoya to Showcase Plantspired Line at Global Produce & Floral Show

Nasoya, the country’s #1 brand of tofu and a leader in the plant-based movement, will showcase its successful Plantspired line of ready-to-eat plant-based meal solutions, including a first taste of forthcoming innovations, at this year’s Global Produce & Floral ShowOct. 27-29 in Orlando, Fla.

Attendees will sample the popular Plantspired Steak marinated in Korean BBQ sauce as well as a new variety of Plantspired Toss’ables, which feature bite-sized, pre-baked tofu bites marinated with Korean Sweet Chili sauce. The new Plantspired Toss’ables variety will be available at retailers nationwide in 2023.

“Nasoya is committed to meeting consumers where they are on their plant-based journey, offering convenient and delicious Asian-inspired options that appeal to American’s evolving preferences,” said Ellen Kim, director of brand strategy & marketing communications at Pulmuone, parent company of Nasoya. “Our Plantspired products are better-for-you, plant-based solutions created with accessibility and sustainability in mind.”

Nasoya’s first expansion into plant-based meat alternatives, award-winning Korean BBQ Plantspired Steak, is continuing to gain traction with increased retail distribution and food service partnerships since its retail debut in March 2022. Applauded for its craveable taste and meat-like texture, Plantspired Steak has grown its retail footprint at over 4,000 grocers nationwide, with distribution at Wegmans, Publix, Sprouts, Stop & Shop, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and more. Sales of Plantspired Steak have increased 800 percent since it originally arrived in grocery stores, highlighting the consumer demand for plant-based food options that don’t sacrifice taste, quality, or nutrition.

Plantspired Steak also continues to make waves in the food service category with products now featured at university dining halls across the country – including University of California RiversideUniversity of California Los AngelesOhio State UniversityGeorgia State UniversityUniversity of MinnesotaRice UniversityVanderbilt and The University of Massachusetts Amherst. Plantspired Steak was also recently showcased and tasted at the popular Los Angeles Vegandale Festival, as well as at Natural Products Expo West earlier this year.

“We’ve worked hard to perfect a plant-based steak product that is charcoal grilled to perfection with Asian-inspired flavors, offering a premium experience in terms of taste and texture. We’re thrilled that our consumers’ reaction to our Plantspired Steak has matched our excitement,” said Sung Yoon Nam, vice president of marketing & sales at Pulmuone. “We’re looking forward to bringing consumers more authentic, sustainable and nutritious plant-based protein options that are convenient and easy to incorporate into a variety of meals.”

Global Produce & Floral Show is one of the largest international fresh produce and floral trade shows, bringing together producers, suppliers, distributors, and other thought leaders in the produce category. Visit Nasoya at the 2022 Global Produce & Floral Show at Booth #1905.

Pick up an issue of Produce Show Daily at the Global Produce & Floral Show. Subscribe to Gourmet News to keep up with trade shows of interest to the specialty food industry.

Greene Concepts Expands Be Water Sales With Get Be Water Campaign

Get Be WaterGreene Concepts, Inc. with its local beverage distributor, Get Be Water, has significantly expanded Be Water sales in the local and surrounding areas around the Marion, N.C., bottling plant.

The team aims to bring widespread awareness and interest for the high-quality Be Water brand throughout North Carolina and neighboring states.  The focus of the team is to bring Be Water into as many local retailers as possible, and then expand through the rest of North Carolina and into the states of South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia.

“The sales team continues to reach new North Carolina retailers that are proud to carry Be Water,” said Amy McNally, VP of sales and marketing. “They have established a tremendous rapport with local businesses over the past several months, and their connections include restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, gas stations, gyms, and more.

“The team has supported Greene Concepts since the launch of Be Water. In addition to penetrating the North Carolina market, they are responsible for the company’s ecommerce logistics and have been crossed-trained as ecommerce fulfilment specialists. I could not be happier with the team’s on-going accomplishments, dedication, and the milestones they have helped Greene Concepts achieve.”

“As our key North Carolina distributor, the Get Be Water team is letting the world know that Greene Concepts embodies prestige, has exceptional customer service, and is primed for monumental growth,” said Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts. “Because Be Water is manufactured and sourced in North Carolina, local retailers can be proud to support a North Carolina business that helps the community and offers a high-quality product to consumers.

“The team emphasizes Local Communities, a Customer Comes First focus, and the knowledge that Great Service goes a long way.  The team is vital to the growth of Be Water into local neighborhood stores and businesses throughout North Carolina.  Since this year’s summer campaign, the Get Be Water team has signed up 41 local businesses near the Marion, NC bottling plant that now carry Be Water.”

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Giant Food, Loop Offer Reusable Packaging in D.C. Stores

Giant Food shoppers can purchase a selection of products in reusable packaging, thanks to a new partnership between the leading Washington, D.C., grocer and Loop, the circular reuse platform developed by TerraCycle. Customers can walk into any of the 10 participating Giant supermarkets and purchase more than 20 products from leading consumer brands, all packaged in reusable containers instead of single-use packaging.

“Giant is proud to be the first grocery retailer on the East Coast to launch a partnership with Loop, a global leader in eliminating waste, and offer our customers a program that allows them to shop for products while helping our environment,” said Diane Couchman, vice president category management, non-perishables at Giant Food. “We look forward to expanding our Loop item offerings and launching in more Giant locations in the near future.”

An assortment of products in reusable Loop containers from well-known brands including Kraft-Heinz, Nature’s Path and Stubb’s BBQ Sauce will be found in branded displays at participating Giant stores. When finished with a product, the empty packaging is returned to a Loop Return Point at any of the participating stores. From there, the containers are sent to Loop to be sanitized, then returned to the CPG suppliers to be refilled and returned to the store for future purchase. Customers are charged a small packaging deposit at checkout, and a full refund is given once the container is returned.

“Loop’s goal has always been to make reusable packaging as convenient for consumers as disposable packaging,” says Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle and Loop. “With Giant as the newest retailer bringing Loop to consumers, we are giving them what they’ve been asking for since Loop was introduced in 2019 – the ability to forgo single-use packaging and purchase the products they use every day in durable, reusable containers.”

To maintain advanced sanitization standards for all reusable containers, Loop consults with Ecolab Inc. — a global leader in cleaning and hygiene solutions — to identify proper equipment and design on-site cleaning procedures.

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