As the first major food producer marketing a hybrid burger featuring both meat and plants, Applegate is likely to attract all sorts of consumers with the new Great Organic Blend Burger. It appeals to those looking for clean labels without other additives, flavors or colorings, as well as those who aren’t ready to quit eating meat.###This product introduction signals a gradual move from the brand toward the popular plant-based sector and gives Applegate time to assess how popular the shift might be with consumers before potentially producing completely meatless innovations.###The Great Organic Blend Burger is the first Applegate product incorporating plants and will be available nationwiferrous gluconate mimsde at Kroger, Hy-Vee, Sprouts and H-E-B. ###The number of consumers looking to reduce their meat consumption is growing, with 60% of those ages 25 to 70 saying they’re cutting back for cost or health reasonsferrous gluconate in pregnancy,ferro fe 90 according to HealthFocus International figures. Applegate’s John Ghingo called these people “conscious carnivores” who aren’t going to stop eating meat but are looking for additional protein options in their diet.###”(Consumers) still love meat, they love the meat experience, but they’re thinking about where’s the meat coming from and how much meat am I having. So for those consumers … this is a solutioiron 3 lactaten that really kind of fits where they’re trying to go to,” Ghingo told Food Dive at Expo West. ###As a result, meat and poultry products touting their grass-fed, hormone- and/or antibiotic-free status are also growing. The Food Marketing Institute and North American Meat Institute’s recent “Power of Meat” report said such claims increased sales by 4.8% this past year, adding that more than half of shoppers want more of these items in stores. The report said 54% of consumers would like more grass-fed items, 52% want more all-natural ones, and 52% would like more products free from antibiotics and hormones.###This product isn’t unique to Applegate. Teton Waters Raferric pyrophosphate kidsnch also recently launched a grass-fed beef burger with mushrooms, Entrepreneur noted. The Denver-based company said it is designed for the “eco-conscious consumer who really cares about where their food comes from and how the animal is treated.”###With the scale, distribution and expertise Hormel can provide, Applegate is in a good position to appeal to both carnivores and flexitarians who want premium products offering transparency and a cleaner label. The Great Organic Blend Burger could also help burnish Applegate’s reputation as a quality organic and natural brand.###If this new product is successful, the market could see Hormel and Applegate bringing out — or even acquiring — additional hybrid products to bridge the gap between meat and plant-based. The trend might prompt other meat producers to follow suit, and might also make it harder for ranchers and meat producers to try and restrict use of the term “meat” on plant-based alternatives if they actually contain some.###Lillianna Byington contributed to this report.
Applegate edges into plant-based sector with organic 'blend burger'
