In addition, Go Veggie also launched six new products; three Deli Slices, two Snack Bars, and one Spread & Dip Minis, according to the company. Go Veggie shreds are made from non-GMO ingredients, and they are free from diary, lactose, cholesterol and gluten.
Go Veggie created its cheese alternatives category over 40 years ago an alternative to dairy cheese, vice president of marketing at Galaxy Nutritional Foods, Whitney Velasco-Aznar, told DairyReporter.
“The new and improved shreds have 30% calcium versus 2% from the leading competitor… it has a suggested retail price of $3.99. Typically found in produce near bagged salads, GO VEGGIE cheese alternatives also may be found in dairy or the natural set depending on the retailer. Five-pound bags are also available for foodservice.”
Velasco-Aznar said awareness of the cheese alternative category is low and people are generally skeptical of the taste of cheese alternatives.
“Once they try our products, they cannot believe how much they taste, stretch and savor just like dairy cheese but without all the calories, fat and cholesterol,” she said.
Currently, the cheese alternative category is roughly $75m in size, growing 5% per year, according to Velasco-Aznar. “Go Veggies remains the leader of the cheese alternative category with roughly a 46% market share.”
In the near future, Go Veggies hopes it can unlock foodservice channels, and continue to grow the vegan cheese category.
“We see no reason why one day the cheese alternatives category wouldn’t mirror the size and growth pattern of the meat alternatives category, a $500m category,” Velasco-Aznar said.