Gourmet News

Impossible Chicken From Plants Lands in Whole Foods Market

Published May 6, 2024

This month, Impossible Foods is bringing its fan-favorite Impossible Chicken From Plants to select Whole Foods Market locations in the United States, expanding consumer access to delicious, nutrient-dense meat from plants that’s better for the planet.

Starting May 2024, Whole Foods Market shoppers can enjoy the No. 1 chicken-from-plants product in the United states, Impossible Chicken Nuggets, which are described as tasting as good or better than animal chicken nuggets in a consumer taste test. Impossible Chicken Nuggets will be joined in the freezer aisle by Impossible Chicken Patties – preferred by 61 percent of consumers over a leading animal chicken patty –– as well as both of their spicy counterparts.

Impossible Chicken Nuggets and Chicken Patties offer high-quality protein and fiber in each golden, savory serving, and are nutritionally competitive with their animal counterparts with no cholesterol, up to 35% less total fat and up to 60 percent less saturated fat. Impossible Chicken is also responsible for approximately 44 percent less water consumption, 49 percent less land usage and 36 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than animal chicken.

“Launching in Whole Foods Market is a proud moment that’s been a long time coming. Impossible Chicken will now be broadly available and distributed in retail across America – we can’t emphasize enough the impact this will have on the consumer, the category and the planet,” said Peter McGuinness, president and CEO of Impossible Foods. “We’re already available in tens of thousands of retail stores across the country, and working with Whole Foods Market allows us to reach even more shoppers. They’re more conscious about their well-being and the environment, and are seeking delicious, nutritious food options that match their lifestyle. We look forward to Impossible Chicken being added to their weekly grocery lists.”

Whole Foods Market is widely recognized for helping bring organic and natural food products into the mainstream. Now, the leading natural foods purveyor is further expanding accessibility to plant-based products with Impossible’s best-selling chicken from plants.

“We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of Impossible Chicken From Plants at Whole Foods Market,” said Christopher Manca, principal category merchant at Whole Foods Market. “This exciting addition reflects our commitment to providing diverse, flavorful options for plant-based eaters, making it even easier to enjoy delicious meals that align with our customer’s dietary preferences.”

The announcement comes as Impossible Foods continues its streak as the fastest growing major meat from plants brand in U.S. retail, outpacing the growth rate of the rest of the U.S. plant-based meat category in both dollar sales and unit sales across its expansive network of more than 30,000 retail locations. In March 2024, the company revealed it would be leveraging this position of strength to evolve its overall brand identity to be more welcoming and approachable to flexitarians and meat-eating consumers, as it seeks to further grow awareness and household penetration for itself and the broader plant-based category.

Shoppers across the US can expect to see Impossible Chicken in its new, bold red packaging in the freezer aisle of select Whole Foods Market locations over the coming weeks.

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Josh Abbott Promotes DQ Restaurants in Texas

Published April 30, 2024

Josh Abbott and DQ restaurants in Texas do it again with another exciting collaboration. The two Texas icons have come together with the Josh Abbott Meal featuring the country singer’s favorite childhood meal, runs through May 26 at participating DQ restaurants in Texas.

“I am from a little town called Idalou outside of Lubbock, Texas, and Dairy Queen was always my go to spot growing up,” said Abbott, lead singer of the Josh Abbott Band. “Whether I was heading to Dairy Queen after a basketball or football game, or going to Dairy Queen with my grandpa, I have a lot of great memories with the brand.”

The Josh Abbott Meal features a four-piece Steak Finger Country Basket, a mini M&M’s Milk Chocolate Blizzard Treat, a refreshing Iced Tea, and a collectible limited-edition Josh Abbott cup, available at participating restaurants while supplies last.

When it comes DQ, Abbott said he gravitated to the steak finger basket growing up because it was unique.

“You can go to a lot of places with burgers or chicken, but Dairy Queen has the variety, and I loved the steak fingers.”

“Texans work hard and play hard, and when they are hungry, they come to DQ restaurants in Texas for their favorite Treats & Eats,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. “We have enjoyed working with Josh the last couple of years who brings his nostalgia and passion for Dairy Queen into this new initiative.”

The two Texas icons joined forces in 2022 to create a fresh new sound for DQ restaurants in Texas with one of the most recognizable jingles in the Lone Star State, “That’s What I Like About Texas.” The country music star brought his distinctive style to the jingle, which has been a staple for the past two decades.

Today, Abbott is building DQ memories with his own kids. He and his family recently visited a DQ location, where he introduced his children to the Blizzard Treat.

“Watching their faces, that sugar rush and the joy was a really cool moment! We filmed it and I am so glad we have that on camera now,” said Abbott.

Abbott founded the Josh Abbott Band in 2006 while attending Texas Tech University. The seven-piece group cut its teeth as a hard-touring act with hooky melodies that deliver real-world stories. The Josh Abbott Band released its seventh studio LP “Somewhere Down The Road” in January. Produced by Dwight A. Baker (Flatland Cavalry), the new album is their first full-length since 2020 and is the first featuring a newly reconfigured lineup. The band is on tour across the country. Visit joshabbottband.com for tour dates.

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas.

The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas.

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Walmart Launches bettergoods Private Brand Line

Published April 30, 2024

As part of Walmart’s mission to make quality, great tasting food accessible for customers, the retailer launched its latest private brand innovation, bettergoods: a new elevated experience that delivers quality, unique, chef-inspired food at an incredible value.

Bettergoods marks Walmart’s largest private brand food launch in 20 years and the fastest food private brand Walmart has brought to market, highlighting the speed with which Walmart can bring trend and innovation to market at scale.

“Today’s customers expect more from the private brands they purchase – they want affordable, quality products to elevate their overall food experience. The launch of bettergoods delivers on that customer need in a meaningful way,” said Scott Morris, senior vice president, private brands, food and consumables, Walmart. “Bettergoods is more than just a new private brand. It’s a commitment to our customers that they can enjoy unique culinary flavors at the incredible value Walmart delivers.”

Bettergoods joins Walmart’s impressive roster of innovative private brands that bring customers quality products at an amazing value, offering a brand-new, fresh take on the culinary experience with elevated taste, flavor and variety that’s approachable and – most importantly – affordable. Thoughtfully curated by Walmart’s experienced product development team that collaborated with suppliers across the globe to source quality, trend-forward ingredients and flavors, bettergoods brings exciting culinary concepts directly to customers at Walmart’s Every Day Low Prices.

Unlike many private brands that provide direct alternatives to national brand offerings at a lower price, many bettergoods items are totally unique to Walmart, introducing customers to new and exciting flavors and concepts. And Walmart customers can expand their culinary horizons with confidence: Bettergoods products are satisfaction guaranteed – one more way Walmart is committed to providing an exceptional experience for its customers.

Bettergoods items range from under $2 to under $15, with most products available for under $5. Bettergoods is designed to delight, with 300 items spanning Walmart’s aisles, including frozen, dairy, snacks, beverages, pasta, soups, coffee, chocolate and more. Bettergoods items fall within three distinct category pillars:

Culinary experiences: Culinary experiences items spotlight innovative recipes, elevated ingredients and food-trend forward offerings, including specialty salts and seasonings, like Hot Honey Seasoning at an amazing value under $3, a line of jar soups, including our Creamy Corn Jalapeno Chowder for under $4 and premium Bronze Cut Pasta from Italy for only $1.97.
Plant-based: These products feature distinct green branding and big flavors made to be devoured. Bettergoods plant-based items provide an exceptional eating experience including decadent and smooth Oatmilk Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts customers won’t believe are plant-based for only $3.44 a pint, as well as a plant-based cheese alternative which has an incredible cheesy pull when melted for under $4.
“Made Without”: The Made Without pillar offers a broad variety of options that cater to different dietary lifestyles, like gluten free, or made without artificial flavors, colorings or added sugars. While these items are made without certain ingredients, they don’t lack flavor or texture, like Sweet Cream Dairy Creamer, made using only four ingredients, gluten free, antibiotic free, all white meat chicken nuggets and our Carnitas, Taco or Tinga Seasonings for under $2.

Tasting is believing, and customers can shop select bettergoods products now, in stores and on Walmart.com for curbside pickup and same day delivery, with the full line continuing to roll out over the coming months. With bettergoods, Walmart is continuing its mission to democratize access to quality, delicious and innovative foods that customers crave at the Every Day Low Price Walmart delivers.

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