V2FOOD, an Australian plant-based meat producer, is crossing the proverbial road into new pastures by launching a line of plant-based crumbed chicken products in three varieties – tenders, nuggets and schnitzel.
The new products mark v2food’s third plant-based protein innovation after the success of the company’s v2mince, v2burger and v2sausage, most recently the launch of pork in Asia.
As plant-based meats continue to gain popularity across the globe, v2food has ramped up research and development through collaboration with CSIRO food scientists to replicate the perfect texture, taste and smell of chicken.
Developing a chicken-like product was the natural next step for v2food.
v2food chief executive officer and founder Nick Hazell said, “Our mission is to help the global population live more sustainably by providing plant-based products, so a great tasting easy to cook chicken range was always on the cards for v2food.”
“We know Aussies love chicken – in fact, data shows that we eat an average of 45kg of poultry per year.
Developing a chicken-like product was the natural next step for v2food.
“If you wanted to visualise how much that is, it’s about the equivalent of 2250 chicken nuggets a year per person.
“Recent data tells us that 63 percent of Aussies are now open to buying plant-based meat as long as it tastes good.
“In order to make a real difference to our planet, we need to create delicious sustainable alternatives of the foods we love, to make the switch easy and tasty for meat-lovers,” Mr Hazell said.
“We are thrilled to unveil our delicious plant-based chicken products for everyone to enjoy.”
To celebrate the launch, v2food’s food truck made a road trip up the east coast in March, giving Australians the opportunity to have an exclusive first taste of the v2tenders and v2schnitzel.
The road trip started at Melbourne Street Eatz Festival, then to the hometown of v2’s factory in Wodonga Square, it popped up in Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle and finished off with a final event in Byron Bay.
v2nuggets, v2schnitzel and v2tenders are made in Australia from soy, with no artificial colours or flavours, non-GMO and with the healthy benefits of protein, fibre and iron.
Traditional southern-style v2tenders have a crispy golden layer topped with tasty southern herbs and spices, while v2schnitzel is a rustic style in a crunchy golden crumb sprinkled with delicious herbs and cracked pepper.
The new products all have the juiciness, texture and flavour of chicken and are ready to cook and use in all your favourite recipes.
The v2tenders come in a six pack at a suggested retail of $8, and the v2schnitzel comes in a two pack at a suggested retail of $8.
Both products will be available to consumers in early May.
v2nuggets will be available exclusively through foodservice in the coming months.