The first trade group named Plant Based Foods Association has been launched by 23 food companies to represent plant-based foods sector, which is $3.5bn industry that intends to support consumer health and environment.
The association's founding members include Daiya Foods, Follow Your Heart, Miyoko's Kitchen, The Tofurky Company, and Upton's Natural.
The other 18 members of the association include Axiom Foods, Beanfields Snacks, Califia Farms, Freja's Foods, Heidi Ho, Louisville Vegan Jerky Co., Luna and Larry's Coconut Bliss, Malk Organic, Match Meats, Melt Organic, New Barn, New Wave Foods, Next Level Burger, Nutpods, Real Food Daily, Sweet Earth Natural Foods, Treeline Cheese, and Tofuna Fysh.
The association will take up education, promotion, and advance policy issues to address the growing consumer demand for plant-based foods.
The Plant Based Foods Association executive director Michele Simon said: "Every other sector of the food industry - from sugar to organics - is represented in the policy arena. The time has come for the plant-based food industry to also have a collective voice."
The group plans to create awareness among retailers, food service professionals, and consumers about the benefits of plant-based foods.
Several health organizations like American Heart Association and international institutions such as the United Nations have identified the need for a shift to a plant-based diet for health as well as environmental benefits.
In Washington DC, the association is working with Elizabeth Kucinich, an advocate for healthy and sustainable food. Recently, Elizabeth Kucinich advised the US Department of Agriculture on how the Dietary Guidelines for Americans could encourage people to shift to plant-based diets for improved health and environment.
The Tofurky Company CEO and board president of the Plant Based Foods Association Jaime Athos said: "In the next five to ten years, we are going to see a massive explosion of interest in plant-based foods. We are going to see many new companies and many success stories."
Image: Plant Based Foods Association to focus on healthier food options. Photo: Courtesy of khunaspix/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
