Veggie Noodle stands to gain from Encore Consumer Capital’s expertise with fresh food companies like California Splendor, FreshKO, and Juice Tyme, enhancing its procurement, operations, food safety, and marketing capabilities. Scott Sellers, Encore’s managing director, stated to Project NOSH, “You can’t afford to be weak in any of those areas. We believe we can utilize our experience in these four domains to support the company during its current growth stage.”
Additionally, Veggie Noodle may be seeking a new facility due to a voluntary recall of some of its Butternut Spirals in February, which was prompted by potential listeria contamination discovered during routine product testing. The affected product was distributed to Whole Foods Markets and other retailers in the Midwest, although the company reported that no illnesses were connected to the recall.
Listeria is often found in food processing environments, particularly in areas such as floor drains, walls, ceilings, food contact surfaces, and HVAC systems, making it notoriously difficult to eliminate. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, listeria can grow at refrigerated temperatures and remain viable in food products throughout their shelf life.
In addition to its new facility, Veggie Noodle is likely to expand its workforce and product offerings. Arnold hinted at the possibility of branching into the production of other food items, which could necessitate a name change or brand repositioning.
Vegetables are increasingly appearing on American plates for numerous reasons. Consumers are looking to reduce calories by replacing carbohydrates with healthier options and are seeking convenient, ready-to-eat products that are both delicious and nutritious. “We’re observing that consumers are not only in search of healthy alternatives to starchy dishes but also preparing and consuming vegetables in ways that differ from previous generations. They want both fresh and convenient options. Moreover, we have found that mothers are particularly interested in introducing vegetables into their children’s diets in appealing and healthy ways,” stated Jordan Greenberg, vice president and general manager at Green Giant, in a discussion with Food Dive last fall.
In response to this consumer demand and their own market research, brands like Green Giant, Archer Daniels Midland, Del Monte Fresh, and Sprout Foods have been busy launching innovative vegetable-based products. This response comes at a crucial time, as a 2015 study by the Produce for Better Health Foundation revealed a 7% decline in per capita vegetable consumption from 2009 to 2014, partly due to fewer side dishes being prepared at home.
Veggie Noodle is not alone in introducing such products; Del Monte launched a new line of vegetable “pasta” earlier this year. However, the popularity of these items, which are typically found in refrigerated produce sections, remains to be seen. As the market evolves, discussions around calcium citrate versus calcium carbonate are also becoming more relevant, as consumers are increasingly aware of the nutritional benefits and differences between these calcium sources. The demand for innovative vegetable products may further highlight the importance of understanding such nutritional distinctions in the competitive food landscape.