# Jerky-Style Eggplant Snacks Dr. Amy’s Organics' 'Verky' is an All-Vegan Jerky Made from Eggplant By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-04-11 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verky References: [livekindly.co](https://www.livekindly.co/physician-launches-organic-vegan-eggplant-jerky-meat-snack-industry/) & [dramysorganics](https://www.dramysorganics.com/blank-2/verky-organic-veggie-jerky-original-flavor) 'Verky' is the name of a new vegan jerky product from Dr. Amy’s Organics that is entirely raw, organic, unprocessed and free from animal products. The snack is made with a base of [dehydrated eggplant](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garlic-eggplant-dip) that is then flavored with olive oil, mesquite powder and agave—Verky is offered in both an Original and a Spicy flavor, which is enhanced with a kick from piquant cayenne pepper. In all, the jerky-inspired eggplant strips are low in fat, sodium and calories, as well as free from wheat and sugar. As an alternative to adding to the junk food category with [salty, unhealthy dried meat strips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meat-snack-product), a number of brands are now exploring the many ways in which simple, nourishing vegan jerky can be produced with everything from soy and mushrooms to coconuts and bananas. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Nourishing Vegan Jerky:** The trend of creating nourishing vegan jerky snacks using plant-based ingredients like soy, mushrooms, coconuts, and bananas presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the snack industry. - **Raw and Organic Snacks:** The trend of introducing raw and organic snacks like 'Verky' jerky-style eggplant snacks highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in the healthy snack market. - **Vegetable-based Meat Alternatives:** The trend of using vegetables, such as eggplant, as the base for meat alternatives like 'Verky' vegan jerky opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the plant-based food industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Snack Industry:** The snack industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by developing nourishing vegan jerky snacks using plant-based ingredients. - **Healthy Snack Market:** The healthy snack market can benefit from disruptive innovation by introducing more raw and organic options like 'Verky' jerky-style eggplant snacks. - **Plant-based Food Industry:** The plant-based food industry can leverage disruptive innovation by creating vegetable-based meat alternatives, such as 'Verky' vegan jerky, using ingredients like eggplant. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Beet Jerky Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beet-jerky.md) - [Vegan Mushroom Jerkys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eat-meati-jerky.md) - [Thai-Style Vegan Jerkies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bangkok-bites.md) - [Sweet Potato Jerky Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-potato-jerky.md) - [Carrot Bacon Strips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carrot-bacon.md) - [Jackfruit Jerky Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jackfruit-jerky.md) - [Meat-Free Protein-Rich Snack Sticks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peperami-vegerami-sticks.md) - [Asian Plant-Based Jerky](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unlimeat-jerky.md) - [Cinnamon Churro Meatless Jerkies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cinnamon-churro-jerky.md)