Grounded Foods Co. makes cheese alternatives with fermented cauliflower and hemp seeds and without nuts, soy and gluten. Cheese-style products like blocks, spread and sauce were created with flexitarians in mind, especially as they are looking to reduce their consumption of dairy. As Grounded Foods Co. CEO Veronica Fil says, "Our goal is to help everyday people shift away from dairy, by creating something so insanely tasty, you wouldn’t think twice about choosing it over cheddar."v
The startup sources vegetables with imperfections to create its product portfolio, which helps to create free-from cheese alternatives that are rich in nutrients and environmentally sustainable.
In terms of flavor, the brand makes lemon, garlic and thyme marinated goat cheese-style blocks; as well as an a cream cheese-style spread in an onion and chives variety; and an American cheese-style sauce.
Free-From Cheese Alternatives
Grounded Foods Co. Uses Cauliflower, Hemp Seeds & Avoids Nuts & Soy
Trend Themes
1. Free-from Cheese Alternatives - The innovation opportunity is to create plant-based cheese alternatives free of soy, nuts, dairy, and gluten, using cauliflower and hemp seeds as the base ingredients.
2. Flexitarianism - The innovation opportunity is to cater to the growing demand among flexitarians to reduce their dairy consumption by offering cheese alternatives made with plants and other sustainable resources.
3. Imperfect Vegetables - The innovation opportunity is to transform imperfect vegetables into nutritious and flavorful cheese alternatives that are environmentally sustainable.
Industry Implications
1. Plant-based Foods - The innovation opportunity is to expand the plant-based foods market by creating innovative cheese alternatives that appeal to a wider range of dietary restrictions and consumer preferences.
2. Food Waste Reduction - The innovation opportunity is to reduce food waste by using imperfect vegetables to create high-quality cheese alternatives that are both healthy and environmentally sustainable.
3. Sustainable Farming - The innovation opportunity is to promote sustainable farming practices by sourcing ingredients such as cauliflower and hemp seeds to create nutritious and delicious cheese alternatives that are better for the planet and for consumers.