New Wave Foods is further expanding distribution of plant-based shrimp alternative products in the United States foodservice market. In February, the San Francisco, California-headquartered company entered into a national partnership with DOT Foods, the largest foodservice redistributor in North America. Last week it announced a distribution agreement with Gordon Food Service that provides direct access to New Wave Shrimp among foodservice operators and other customers east of the Mississippi River or in the Southwestern USA.
New Wave Shrimp is a proprietary product made of sustainable seaweed and mung bean protein. Created through collaboration with renowned chefs and R&D experts, the faux shellfish is said to be “virtually indistinguishable from ocean shrimp in terms of taste, texture and bite.”
New Wave Foods is focused on the restaurant and non-commercial foodservice segments, where 80 percent of shrimp is consumed in the USA’s $9 billion market for the popular seafood product.
“Gordon Food Service continues to expand our presence and ensure that our product is available to restaurant and foodservice operators,” said New Wave Foods CEO Mary McGovern. “We have seen early adoption from colleges and universities, meal kit providers, and fast casual restaurants, as well as independents and regional chains.”
New Wave Shrimp is positioned to provide a one-for-one swap for ocean shrimp as an ingredient in any hot shrimp dish on menus. The pre-cooked product is promoted as “a perfect ingredient for a wide variety of cuisines, providing versatility across menu parts.”
“Consumers are increasingly looking for plant-based options and shellfish is an open opportunity that New Wave Foods is addressing with its plant-based shrimp offering,” said Brad Barnes, certified master chef and director of consulting at the Hyde Park, New York-based Culinary Institute of America. “The product’s likeness with ocean shrimp and the versatility makes it easy for any food operator to incorporate onto their menus and increase their revenue.”
New Wave Foods is focused on the plant-based shrimp category for now, with new line extensions scheduled in late 2021. Expansion into other plant-based shellfish to include lobster, scallops and crab alternatives in planned for the coming years.