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Red Gold first to offer plant-based pasta sauces to foodservice operators
Red Gold, the largest family-owned tomato company in the world, has entered the plant-based segment with the launch of two products that illustrates the next generation of shelf stable protein alternatives. Combining the functional benefits of naturally grown tomatoes with plant-based proteins, this next generation of the growing category is known as plant-based 3.0.
The first generation of plant-based products centered around hamburger patties. Plant-based 2.0 expanded the offering to chicken and seafood. Plant-based 3.0 combines naturally grown vegetable products with plant-based proteins to attract more consumers to plant-based protein alternatives. According to the food and beverage market research and intelligence platform Datassential, plant-based meat alternatives on menus grew 35% in the past year and by a staggering 2,770% since 2018.
“Our Red Gold Plant-Based Italian Sausage Pasta Sauce and Plant-Based Bolognese Pasta Sauce represent a new opportunity for operators to easily offer plant-based meat alternatives in a prepared sauce for their menu that adds even more value,” says David Halt, Vice-President of Red Gold’s Foodservice Sales. “By reducing the time and labor of preparing a sauce with a plant-based alternative, Red Gold offers an easy entry into the booming category.”
Made with pea protein, and no sugar added, the products combine tomato puree, diced tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil. The sauces are available in shelf-stable #10 cans.
Plant-based proteins have been embraced by Gen Z and Millennial consumers due to their functional benefits or part of their change in diet toward protecting the planet by reducing their consumption of animal proteins. Datassential consumer research finds that 36% of consumers say that they are increasing their consumption of plant-based meat alternatives. Plant-based 3.0 is designed to broaden the acceptance of combining meat alternatives with familiar naturally grown vegetables to entice broader acceptance among all demographics.
The new sauces are ideal for pasta and pizza menu applications. The ease of prep and appeal of a plant-based meat alternative makes the sauces perfectly suited for the college and university, casual, and fast casual segments.
About Red Gold
Four generations of the Reichart family have been producing the world’s freshest, best tasting tomato products since 1942. When the US entered WWII, the government asked citizens to step up and help the war effort and the call was answered. Since then, Red Gold has become the largest privately owned tomato processor in the nation with three state-of-the-art facilities in Elwood, Geneva, and Orestes, Indiana. The company also boasts a million square foot distribution center in Alexandria and operates the subsidiary RG Transport trucking fleet in Elwood. Red Gold partners with local family farms across Indiana, southern Michigan, and Northwest Ohio to sustainably produce premium quality canned tomatoes, ketchup, sauces, salsas, and juices for foodservice, private brands, brands, export, co-pack, club, and retail channels of distribution.
The Red Gold family of foodservice brands includes Red Gold, Redpack, Tuttorosso, and Sacramento. Superior Quality, Outstanding Service and Operational Excellence are the shared values that contributed to the employee-created mission statement: “To produce the freshest, best tasting tomato products in the world.”
Some complementary data:
www.RedGoldTomatoes.com & www.RedGoldFoodservice.com
Sources: redgoldfoodservice.com
