Nestlé USA announced on December 5 that it is launching a DiGiorno Rising Crust Meatless Supreme pizza and Stouffer’s Meatless Lasagna ready meal that will be widely available in retail stores in the United States during the spring of 2020. Each frozen product will be made with Sweet Earth Awesome Grounds, a plant-based ground beef alternative.
According to a Solon, Ohio-based Nestlé spokesman, consumers are increasingly showing interest in adopting a “flexitarian” lifestyle and making active choices to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diets. In recent years, the demand for meals made with meat alternatives has risen appreciable.
Results from a September 16-17 online consumer survey of 2,200 American adults commissioned by Nestlé USA show that nearly half of those polled have either integrated plant-based meat into their diet or would consider doing so long-term, and three in ten persons who have not yet tried plant-based meat responded that would do so if they had the opportunity. Nearly half also say that they would be very likely to try 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 foods division at Nestlé. “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.”
Acquired by Nestlé in 2017. Moss Landing, California-based Sweet Earth Foods is the creator of dozens of plant-based offerings, including the Awesome Burger and Awesome Grounds, which both launched in supermarkets across the United States in October of 2019. Made from textured yellow pea protein, wheat gluten, canola oil coconut oil, and other ingredients, Awesome Grounds contains 16 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving.
