According to FoodNavigator, major Canadian
meat company Maple Leaf Foods has launched an independent subsidiary
called Greenleaf Foods that is 100 percent plant-based.
The company’s press release states that Greenleaf
intends to build and cultivate a portfolio of plant-based food brands,
including those it already owns, Field Roast Grain
Meat Co. and Lightlife Foods.
Additionally, the release says the subsidiary
“will be guided by a deep commitment to social purpose, sustainability and the
progress of the plant-based foods sector.
Dan Curtin, president of Greenleaf, said:
We have established leading brands that are known for delicious, high-quality products and we are excited to build on and invest in that expertise to drive innovation and accelerate our growth. Leadership in the fast-growing plant-based protein market is fundamental to pursuing Maple Leaf Foods’ broader vision to be the most sustainable protein company on earth.
Maple Leaf Foods acquired U.S.-based vegan protein
producer Lightlife Foods last year. Maple Leaf, which primarily
raises and slaughters pigs, revealed in 2016 that it had dedicated a few staff
members to creating plant-based protein products.
Investing
in plant-based and clean meat alternatives is a wise business move considering
how many people are ditching animal products.
Earlier this week Bloomberg reported that Applegate Farms, a subsidiary of meat giant Hormel Foods,
was looking to invest in the $3.7 billion plant-based market.
Similarly, America’s largest meat producer, Tyson Foods, has invested in clean meat company Memphis
Meats and plant-based meat company Beyond Meat. In fact,
Tyson recently launched a $150 million venture capital fund, Tyson New
Ventures, for investing in vegan meats.
Furthermore, Cargill made history in 2017 with
its landmark investment in Memphis Meats, which is
known for creating real beef burgers without cows and the world’s first chicken and duck meat without animal
slaughter.
The meat industry can no longer ignore the
wave of people dropping animal products in favor of a healthy, sustainable, and
compassionate vegan diet. According to GlobalData, there were six times as many vegans in America in 2017 as in 2014,
and Allied Market Research predicts that the meat substitute market will grow 8.4 percent from 2015,
potentially reaching $5.2 billion globally by 2020.
More people enjoying vegan food is great news
for the billions of animals who suffer at factory farms.
Cows, pigs, chickens, and fish raised and killed for food are subjected to
unthinkable cruelties: tiny, filthy cages; horrific mutilations; and violent
slaughter.
Sounds terrible, right? See for yourself.
With more and more delicious vegan products
hitting the market, there’s truly never been a better time to make the switch
to a compassionate vegan lifestyle. Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide to learn how. And
check out our Pinterest page for thousands of recipe ideas!