Weekly Roundup: Nestlé recognized for animal welfare standards, Meatless Farm expands meat-free offering

03 Apr 2020 --- This week in industry news, Nestlé was recognized for higher animal welfare standards throughout its supply chain and consumers in Sweden named Lantmännen one of the most sustainable brands in the country. Meanwhile, GrubMarket acquired Boston Organics in a bid to bolster its nationwide expansion and Meatless Farm announced further UK expansion in Asda stores.

In brief: Sustainability
The 2019 Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) recognized Nestlé’s efforts to enhance animal welfare throughout its supply chain. For the first time, Nestlé ranked as a “Tier 2” performer in the annual benchmark of the food industry's efforts to improve standards around the world, placing the company in a group of leading performers in the industry. “Tier 2” status means that animal welfare is integral to Nestlé’s business strategy. Nestlé received particular recognition for improvements to its reporting and transparency on animal welfare practices in its supply chain. Commenting on the ranking, Magdi Batato, Global Head of Operations at Nestlé says: “We care about animal welfare and are committed to improving the way farm animals are treated. This recognizes our efforts to improve transparency and reporting on our progress. We will continue to work with others in the food industry to make further improvements.”

The Sustainable Brand Index (SBI) survey revealed that Lantmännen is seen as the second most sustainable food brand by Swedish consumers. In the overall index including all categories in the survey, Lantmännen ranks sixth. Lantmännen also ranked number one brand on the Swedish market in the B2B for 2019, which was published earlier this year. 

In brief: Business
GrubMarket continues bolstering its nationwide presence with the purchase of Boston Organics, an online farm-to-table grocery delivery service in Massachusetts, US. The deal marks the company's third farm-to-table grocery delivery acquisition in the past four months after acquiring Michigan-based Doorganics last November and California-based Eating With The Seasons in January. Boston Organics, delivers fresh, certified organic produce and groceries. Boston Organics will continue to operate from its headquarters, led by its current leadership team and founder, Jeff Barry. For GrubMarket, the acquisition is another step in the company’s nationwide expansion plans as it leans into growth amid never-Meatless Farm has announced further UK expansion in Asda stores.before-seen levels of demand for online grocery delivery.

UK plant-based food brand, Meatless Farm, has announced further national expansion with the launch of its 400 g mince and 227 g two-pack fresh burger patties into Asda stores. Meatless Farm has experienced “phenomenal growth,” notes the company, with listings across Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Ocado, leading to a 149 percent increase in year-on-year retail sales. The brand’s Asda launch will see its products displayed in the protein aisle, as growth of plant-based products in the UK is set to increase by a further 44 percent by 2023, reaching £1.1 billion (US$1.4 billion), the company highlights. Morten Toft Bech, Founder of Meatless Farm, says: “We’re offering our affordable products to a mainstream, national audience – showing consumers just how easy, tasty and impactful swapping to plant-based can be.”  

Vertical Field, a company that develops vertical indoor farming and landscaping solutions for urban environments and smart cities, has announced its Star-K certification so that any company or community in cities around the world can benefit from growing and supplying its own fresh kosher greens locally and easily. Star-K recognizes that Vertical Field’s pesticide-free, soil-based urban farming operations lend themselves to producing naturally kosher products. The greens are grown indoors in Vertical Field’s urban farm, entirely free from exposure to insects. Vertical Field offers a new approach for supermarkets, restaurants, institutions, and hotels to take complete ownership of the supply chain by growing their own vertical living walls of naturally kosher greens – at the same time removing transportation expenses, reducing inventory costs, and ensuring year-round food supply regardless of climate or weather conditions.

Covantis, the industry initiative that aims to modernize global trade operations, has received all required regulatory approvals and has incorporated as a legal entity in Geneva, Switzerland, as Covantis SA. The company is co-owned by its founding members: ADM, Bunge, Cargill, COFCO, Louis Dreyfus Company and Glencore Agriculture. Covantis also Candid, a US-based snacking chocolate maker, is first to market in North America with its whole-plant, lower-sugar chocolate product NOONS.announced its governance structure and executive appointments with the appointment of Petya Sechanova as the company’s CEO. Sechanova has more than 20 years of experience in multinational companies, including 11 years with Cargill,. Stefano Rettore will continue in his role as an independent advisor to the board until June, after which his successor will be announced. Meanwhile, a Board of Directors consisting of one member from each of the six co-founders will oversee the company and help to guide its evolution. 

In brief: NPD
Candid, a US-based snacking chocolate maker, is first to market in North America with its whole-plant, lower-sugar chocolate product NOONS. Candid uses simple, healthy ingredients to create what it describes as “one of the cleanest chocolate products on the market.” There are no emulsifiers, unnatural sweeteners or added cane sugar. The chocolate snacks are made from organic ingredients including tropical fruits and superfoods. NOONS are paleo-friendly, vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO. Sweetened with cacao fruit, which is usually discarded in the chocolate-making process, Candid delivers  products that reduce waste and offer an improved nutritional profile. Cacao fruit provides sweetness and added health nutrients, including magnesium, B vitamins and various antioxidants. 

By Elizabeth Green