It’s NOT just another trade show…….I was asked by another shareholder why “I was happy to read that Craig & Bryan were
going back to Minneapolis” it’s just another trade show? My response “Did you read the list of companies targeted?” His response was “So what?”
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I read a lot. For over a year now I have been interested in “plant proteins”. Back in May I posted
Food Dive Spotlight Topic: Plant Proteins with the caveat
“For those that are interested……”. The post includes links to ~18 topic related articles.
In October I had planned on writing another post about plant proteins – I got busy – but I had made a list (#3 below) of
a few of the articles I read in September.
There are more every day
New video - Paul McCartney, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone urges people to eat plant-based foods - Nov 2, 2017
Did you happen to notice that more of NSP’s advertisements use the words “plant based”? For example Hemp Protein 3 – 6 – 9 ad in
CANNAConsumer Magazine October 2017 page 91 & 115.
Or read the November 26
th NSP sponsored article
Hemp Offers Investment Opportunities in Plant-based Protein and Omega 3 Markets? I digress.
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This post is way too long and time consuming – both to write and to read - so I just cut and pasted some of my notes below that should explain why IMO “it’s NOT
just another trade show”.
If you prefer not to read anything in #’s 1, 2, or 3 below – there is a common theme from my two examples that most likey apply to most of the companies listed as attendees:
# 1 General Mills – “Established food giants also face the challenge of trendy upstart companies that are able to more quickly introduce new products in line with public tastes and beliefs.”
# 2 – Tyson Foods – “Small start ups …… fuel innovation and win shelf space—putting pressure on legacy brands that are owned by multi-billion dollar Big Food makers.”
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“
Living in the sunshine”
Always DYODD DKM
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US companies that will be targeted for meetings include:
Minneapolis:
Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP*, All American Foods, Bellisio, Blue Plate Restaurant Co., Buffalo Wild Wings, Cargill, CHS/Ventura Foods, Faribault Foods,
General Mills, Grain Millers, Healthy Food Ingredients, Parasole Restaurant Co., PepsiCo, Land O'Lakes, New Scenic Caf, North Central Companies, Nestle Nutrition, Step One Foods, SunOpta, Supervalu, Unified Supply Chain/IDQ, US Commodities.
Chicago:
Abelei, Alpha Baking, Azteca Foods, Bell Flavors, ConAgra, FlavorChem, FONA, Gonnella Baking, Griffith Foods, Ingredion, KaBriola, Kerry Ingredients, Little Lady Foods, McCain, Mondelez/Enjoy Life, Nation Pizza, OSI Group, Palermo's Pizza, PepsiCo/Quaker, Sokol & Co, Stampede Meat, Tate & Lyle, The Archer Daniels Midland Company, TreeHouse Foods,
Tyson/Hillshire Farms, US Foods
*****
# 1 - General Mills General Mills exec 'bullish' on plant proteins, eyes algae and even crickets - May 24, 2016
One of the panelists discussing “The Future of Animal-based and Alternative Protein” was Erika Smith, technology director at
General Mills . …..
the company is “bullish on plant proteins Don't have a cow: General Mills' new VC investment is dairy-free bars - March 1, 2017
….private equity investor 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners and 301 INC, the new business development and venturing unit of General Mills, have invested in D’s Naturals, according to a
company release. The company, which makes low sugar plant-based No Cow protein bars and the low sugar protein-infused nut butters, Fluffbutter, will use the money for its next stage of growth.
The philosophy of D’s Naturals is to create low sugar, plant-based products that fuel an active lifestyle and offer more options to people living with dietary restrictions or choosing to eat more plant-based foods.
With more people showing an interest in plant-based products, and food experts saying
protein-enhanced items have become one of the biggest food crazes of the past year, it only makes sense for a food manufacturing giant like General Mills looking for new avenues of growth to want to be a part of it.
Acquisitions or investments from major manufacturers such as General Mills, McCormick and Campbell Soup reflect how companies are looking to address consumer demands that may be more difficult or costly to pursue on their own.
As consumers turn to healthier foods, General Mills is looking to overhaul some of its product line. Last July, the company
committed to overhauling 60% of its existing yogurt portfolio by July 2017 in an effort to offer healthier ingredients by adding Greek yogurt offerings and fast-growing subcategories like yogurt smoothies.
General Mills also is exploring healthier options in its cereals and other products. General Mills names new CEO - May 3, 2017
The change in leadership at the Minnesota-based food company, which makes Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait and Nature Valley, comes as it
faces seven straight quarters of declining sales. The manufacturer's woes are no different than those affecting other food and beverage giants as consumers seek healthier and fresher alternatives and shift away from packaged products such as cereal. Established food giants also face the challenge of trendy upstart companies that are able to more quickly introduce new products in line with public tastes and beliefs.
General Mills seeks patent for high protein oats - May 4, 2017
….General Mills is seeking to patent an oat variety that has more than double the protein of standard oats and is less prone to oxidation, reports FoodNavigator-USA. The oats could be used to boost protein in a variety of baked goods – including gluten-free items – or in animal feed to increase the protein and iron content of milk, according to the patent application.
The oats’ higher levels of monounsaturated oleic acid and lower levels of polyunsaturated linoleic acid mean General Mills could develop oat-based products with a better flavor profile over a longer shelf life and reduce the use of antioxidants. The company incorporates oats in several high profile brands, including Nature Valley, Lucky Charms and Cheerios.
…General Mills has been working to develop this high protein oat variety for several years of traditional breeding techniques
High protein products with a longer shelf life are a clear winner for food manufacturers.
The global market for protein-fortified products is growing rapidly. The protein ingredients market is projected to be worth nearly $41 billion by 2022, according to a Global Industry Analysts report. For General Mills, having sole access to a high protein oat variety at a time when consumers are hooked on protein-boosted products puts it at a distinct advantage. It could also attract shoppers back to cereals if the product is viewed as healthier or has better taste than prior versions or other brands currently on the market. Competitors will have to either offer lower protein products, or continue to add high protein ingredients, with the taste, texture, processing and shelf life challenges that those may entail. Such ingredients might include plant proteins based on soy or wheat, or animal proteins, based on egg or dairy. The new oat could be a major boon to General Mills if the grain can follow-through on its early promise. Using a basic ingredient with higher protein content also will help General Mills shorten its ingredients list. The company has filed a wide range of patents, including a legume-based dairy substitute, a method for producing gluten-free oats, and a way to process pasta using low protein flour, among others. ***** # 2 - Tyson Foods Tyson Foods in pursuit of its next transformational acquisition - Sept. 13, 2016
…The addition of Hillshire, which Tyson bought for $8.55 billion in 2014, not only has proven to be highly synergistic, but also
has accelerated the poultry processor’s portfolio evolution toward branded, protein-centric packaged food, having added such brands as Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm and State Fair.
…Beyond mergers and acquisitions, Tyson Foods is investing in growing its core nine brands through innovation based on consumer insights. …To
capitalize on consumer demand for protein snacking, the company is expanding its successful Hillshire Snacking platform with new varieties,
…“The Jimmy Dean brand has been just a phenomenal success story, ….“We
reframed that from just a roll sausage into frozen protein breakfasts and other adjacent categories.
Why Tyson Foods Is Investing in Alternative Proteins - March 3, 2017
… Tyson Foods’ venture capital arm is on the hunt for more deals.
… Tyson Foods last year announced it would
launch a venture capital fund that would spend as much as $150 million to invest in food start ups, with a stated goal to target start ups that are developing alternative proteins or innovative food manufacturing processes.
General Mills ,
Kellogg and
Campbell Soup have all
launched their own VC funds to also look to small start ups for innovative ideas. Small start ups are raising billions from investors, using that funding to fuel innovation and win shelf space—putting pressure on legacy brands that are owned by multi-billion dollar Big Food makers. Consumers want more options, giving start ups a chance to shine.
… Tyson New Ventures is focusing on three areas:
alternative proteins, the elimination of food waste, and bets on innovative trends in technology.
Tyson Foods Successfully Completes Acquisition of AdvancePierre - June 7, 2017
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) has successfully completed the acquisition of AdvancePierre Foods Holdings, Inc., a move aligned with Tyson Foods’ strategic intent to sustainably feed the world with the fastest growing portfolio of
protein packed brands. ….The total value of the transaction was approximately $4.2 billion.
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# 3 – Plant protein articles Beyond Meat adds its plant-based burgers to Chef'd meal kit partnership - September 28, 2017
Plant-Based Food Sales Grow in North America - September 27, 2017
Can peanut milk be as big as almond milk? Elmhurst ‘milked peanuts’ to hit stores in early 2018 with no gums or stabilizers - September 25, 2017
Maker of plant-based ‘beef’ burger backed by Bill Gates plans to replace fish - September 20, 2017
Hollywood director James Cameron invests in Saskatchewan pea processing plant - September 18, 2017
Kellogg's VC arm bets on mushroom protein company in $35M funding round - September 14, 2017
11 Politicians Around the World Who Refuse to Eat Meat - September 11, 2017
Wessanen’s Whole Earth sees protein snack going mainstream - September 6, 2017
Flavour pairing with plant proteins: What’s best for your product? - September 1, 2017