Garden Gourmet, a plant-based meat imitation brand, stands out from its competitors by offering a diverse range of products that cater to different consumer needs. Founded in Israel in 1986 and acquired by Nestlé in 2017, the brand offers both meat mimicry products and vegetable-based options.
In the meat mimicry product line, Garden Gourmet offers plant-based alternatives to classic meat dishes, including vegan mince, burgers, sausages, and even a vegan alternative to foie gras called Voie Gras. On the other hand, their plant-forward and vegetable-based product line includes breaded offerings filled with colorful vegetables and other ingredients such as broccoli, tomato and mozzarella, carrots, peas and corn, and tomato and red peppers.
Marjolijn Niggebrugge, business head plant-based meal solutions Europe at Nestlé, explained that Garden Gourmet’s decision to cater to both meat mimicry and plant-forward options comes from a desire to meet different consumer needs. Vegetarians and vegans are interested in exploring both meat mimicry and vegetable-based options, while flexitarians in the early stages of their journey are more likely to opt for convenient plant-based alternatives to familiar dishes.
To meet consumer demands, Garden Gourmet continues to develop new plant-based offerings. In the past two years, they have introduced plant-based shrimp, tuna, egg alternatives, and vegan foie gras. The brand understands that innovation sparks interest among consumers and recognizes their desire for tasty alternatives to traditional meat products.
Both approaches, meat mimicry and vegetable-based, prioritize nutrition. Garden Gourmet aims to deliver delicious products that provide great nutrition, adding fiber, protein, and vegetable content to cater to different needs. The brand adheres to strict nutritional profiles and uses the Nutri-Score labeling scheme to help consumers compare products.
In terms of sustainability, Garden Gourmet is actively working on making its offerings even more sustainable. They focus on raw material sourcing, including soy, and strive to source closer to home while implementing regenerative agricultural practices. The brand communicates its sourcing strategies online and aims to provide as much information as possible on packaging. They also keep an eye on environmental labeling developments at the EU level.
Garden Gourmet is currently selling its products in around 25 countries worldwide. Although they recently withdrew from the UK retail market, they plan to be omnipresent in the longer term. The company believes in the continued growth of the plant-based sector driven by factors like animal welfare, sustainability, and health. Despite a temporary slowdown, they remain committed to driving the diet transition and meeting consumer demand.
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