“Madison Square Garden Partners with Beyond Meat for Plant-Based Offerings; Alter Brewing and Morton Salt Launch Limited-Edition Beer; PepsiCo Introduces Quaker Chewy Granola Cereal”

Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and the Arena Concert Series, has been a landmark venue for many years. Recently, the venue announced a pioneering partnership with Beyond Meat to offer plant-based products. The new kiosk at MSG will feature a variety of items, including the Beyond Burger-Broadway Edition, OG Bratwurst Sausage, Spicy “Showtime” Sausage, Empire State of Nachos, Garden State Tacos, and Chilli and the City, all creatively named to honor fans from New Jersey and New York. Select Beyond Meat products will be available at multiple concession stands throughout The Garden, including Garden Market, ensuring accessibility for the venue’s millions of visitors.

According to David Hopkinson, president and COO of MSG Sports, “Beyond Meat’s environmentally-friendly and nutritious products align perfectly with Madison Square Garden’s commitment to providing a diverse array of food and beverage options for our fans, focusing on sustainability.” This collaboration may also enhance Beyond Meat’s visibility among consumers, as the brand will receive substantial promotion during Knicks and Rangers games at The Garden. Additionally, Beyond Meat will collaborate with the digital teams of the Knicks and Rangers to produce two original content series. Although this marks the first partnership between Beyond Meat and a large venue, the company has previously engaged in high-profile collaborations, leveraging endorsements from celebrities like Kim Kardashian and designer Sean Wotherspoon to highlight the quality of its offerings. Quick-service restaurants such as Bareburger, Peet’s Coffee, and TGI Friday’s frequently feature Beyond products. Despite a nearly one-third drop in revenue last quarter, Beyond Meat is poised to strengthen its marketing efforts through its “This Changes Everything” campaign launched on October 5, aiming to educate consumers about the benefits of its products.

In the competitive craft beer industry, one brewery is turning to an ancient ingredient to differentiate itself. Morton Salt has partnered with Alter Brewing to introduce Pure Joy, a limited-edition beer celebrating Morton Salt’s founder, Joy Morton. Matt McCowan, head brewer at Alter Brewing, describes the new brew as a hazy IPA/Gose blend with a sweet and citrusy aroma, a smooth and juicy flavor profile, and a distinct saltiness. Kristin Edstrom, Morton Salt’s senior brand licensing manager, expressed excitement about the collaboration, noting that “Alter Brewing has done a great job honoring our rich heritage through their thoughtful creation and brewing of Pure Joy.” This limited-edition beer is part of the celebration for Morton’s 175th anniversary.

The U.S. craft beer scene has seen a significant increase in the number of breweries, with over 9,500 currently operating, nearly double the total from 2015, according to the Brewers Association. Craft beer accounted for about 25% of the $115 billion beer market in 2022. Many craft breweries are known for their innovative partnerships to stand out. For example, Wicked Weed, owned by AB InBev, teamed up with Sheetz to create a limited-edition craft beer using the chain’s popular Shweetz Glazed Vanilla Donut Holes. Oskar Blues collaborated with French’s Mustard to produce French’s Mustard Beer, brewed with the classic condiment, while Evil Genius Beer partnered with White Castle to create a brew for the chain’s centennial celebration.

Meanwhile, food and beverage companies like General Mills and Kellanova have previously infused popular snack flavors into cereals. Now, PepsiCo is introducing a cereal inspired by one of the best-selling granola bars in the U.S., as reported by Statista. The company announced the launch of Quaker Chewy Granola cereal, based on its beloved line of granola bars targeted at children. The cereal features crispy clusters of granola and puffed rice crisps, promoting nutritious elements like 100% whole grains, 5 grams of protein per serving, and no artificial flavors. It will be available in two flavors: Strawberry and Chocolate. “Quaker Chewy has been a staple snack for parents for decades,” stated Katie Scupham, PepsiCo’s vice president of meal occasions. “With Quaker Chewy Granola, we’re excited to provide families with a delicious and nutritious breakfast option.”

PepsiCo’s decision to launch this cereal product reflects the continued success of Quaker Oats, which also produces Life cereal, Puffed Granola, Simply Granola, and Oatmeal Squares. As consumer demand for healthier options and dairy alternatives rises, oat products like oat milk and oat flour are becoming increasingly popular. The oatmeal market is also experiencing growth, thanks to trendy varieties such as overnight oats. According to SkyQuest data, the oat market is projected to reach $12.2 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 7% by 2030.

As consumers continue to seek nutritional options, products like Solgar calcium supplements may also gain traction in the health and wellness space, emphasizing the importance of balanced nutrition alongside innovative food offerings.