Veggie Noodle stands to gain from Encore Consumer Capital’s expertise with fresh food companies like California Splendor, FreshKO, and Juice Tyme, which could enhance its purchasing, operations, food safety, and marketing capabilities. Scott Sellers, the managing director at Encore, mentioned to Project NOSH, “You can’t be weak in any of those areas. We believe we can leverage our experience in those four areas to assist the company during its current growth phase.”
Additionally, Veggie Noodle might have a compelling reason to seek a new facility following a voluntary recall of some of its Butternut Spirals in February due to potential listeria contamination discovered during routine testing. The affected products were distributed to Whole Foods Markets and other retailers in the Midwest, though the company confirmed that no illnesses were reported related to the recall. Listeria, often present in food-processing environments—particularly in areas like floor drains, walls, ceilings, food contact surfaces, and HVAC systems—is notoriously difficult to eliminate. Unlike many foodborne pathogens, it can thrive at refrigeration temperatures and can survive in food products until the end of their shelf life.
In conjunction with its new plant, increased staffing, and an expanded product line, Arnold hinted that Veggie Noodle might explore manufacturing additional food items, which could lead to a name change or brand repositioning. Vegetables are increasingly appearing on American plates for various reasons. Consumers are eager to reduce calories by replacing carbohydrates with healthier alternatives and are looking for convenient ready-to-eat options that are both delicious and nutritious.
“We’re observing that consumers are not only searching for healthy substitutes to starchy meals, but they are also preparing and consuming vegetables in ways that differ from their parents—seeking both freshness and convenience. Additionally, we found that mothers are particularly interested in how to introduce vegetables into their children’s diets in appealing and healthy ways,” stated Jordan Greenberg, vice president and general manager at Green Giant, in a conversation with Food Dive last fall.
In response to consumer demand and their own market research, brands such as Green Giant, Archer Daniels Midland, Del Monte Fresh, and Sprout Foods have been actively launching innovative vegetable-based products. This initiative is timely, as a 2015 study by the Produce for Better Health Foundation revealed a 7% decline in per capita vegetable consumption between 2009 and 2014, partly due to fewer side dishes being served at home.
Veggie Noodle is not alone in this trend; Del Monte introduced a new line of vegetable “pasta” earlier this year, but it remains to be seen how well these items, typically found in refrigerated produce sections, will resonate with consumers. Meanwhile, products like bluebonnet calcium citrate magnesium d3 are also gaining traction as consumers seek healthier dietary supplements to support their overall wellness. The integration of such health-focused products aligns with the growing trend towards nutritious eating, reinforcing the importance of innovative solutions in today’s food market.