Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and the Arena Concert Series, has long been an iconic venue. Recently, the arena announced a groundbreaking partnership with Beyond Meat to offer plant-based products. Some of the featured items at the MSG kiosk will include the Beyond Burger-Broadway Edition, OG Bratwurst Sausage, Spicy “Showtime” Sausage, Empire State of Nachos, Garden State Tacos, and Chilli and the City, all named to resonate with New Jersey and New York fans. Beyond Meat products will also be available at various concession stands throughout The Garden, including the Garden Market, ensuring accessibility for millions of visitors.
David Hopkinson, president and COO of MSG Sports, stated, “Beyond Meat’s environmentally-friendly, nutritious products align perfectly with Madison Square Garden’s ongoing commitment to providing a diverse range of food and beverage options for our fans, emphasizing sustainability.” This partnership could significantly increase Beyond Meat’s visibility, as the company will receive extensive brand promotion during Knicks and Rangers games. Additionally, Beyond Meat will collaborate with the digital teams of both teams on two original content series. While this marks the first collaboration between Beyond Meat and a major venue, the company is no stranger to high-profile partnerships, having previously received endorsements from celebrities like Kim Kardashian and designer Sean Wotherspoon. Beyond Meat products are also regularly featured in quick-service restaurants like Bareburger, Peet’s Coffee, and TGI Friday’s. Although Beyond Meat’s revenue fell by nearly a third last quarter, the company is launching its “This Changes Everything” campaign to enhance consumer awareness of its products.
In another innovative collaboration in the craft beer industry, Morton Salt has teamed up with Alter Brewing to create Pure Joy, a limited-edition beer named after Morton Salt’s founder, Joy Morton. Matt McCowan, head brewer at Alter Brewing, described this new creation as a hazy IPA/Gose blend with a sweet and citrusy aroma, alongside a smooth and juicy flavor profile with a noticeable saltiness. Kristin Edstrom, Morton Salt’s senior brand licensing manager, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting Alter Brewing’s creative talent in crafting a unique beer that honors Morton’s heritage. This limited-edition beer is part of Morton’s 175th anniversary celebration.
According to data from the Brewers Association, there are now over 9,500 craft breweries in the U.S., nearly double the number from 2015, with craft beer accounting for around 25% of the $115 billion beer market in 2022. To stand out in this competitive landscape, craft breweries often engage in creative partnerships. For example, Wicked Weed, owned by AB InBev, has collaborated with Sheetz to create a limited-edition craft beer featuring the convenience store chain’s popular Shweetz Glazed Vanilla Donut Holes. Oskar Blues teamed up with French’s Mustard to produce French’s Mustard Beer, while Evil Genius Beer partnered with White Castle last year to celebrate the chain’s centennial.
Meanwhile, in the realm of food and beverages, companies like General Mills and Kellanova have previously transitioned popular snack flavors into cereal. Now, PepsiCo is entering the scene with Quaker Chewy Granola cereal, inspired by one of the top-selling granola bars in the U.S., according to Statista data. The new cereal features crispy clusters of granola and puffed rice crisps, boasting better-for-you attributes such as 100% whole grains, 5 grams of protein per serving, and no artificial flavors. Available in Strawberry and Chocolate flavors, this product aims to provide families with a nutritious breakfast option.
Katie Scupham, vice president of meal occasions at PepsiCo, remarked, “Quaker Chewy has been a go-to snack for parents for decades. With the launch of Quaker Chewy Granola, we are excited to offer families a delicious and nutritious breakfast option.” Quaker Oats already has a presence in the cold cereal market with products like Life cereal, Puffed Granola, Simply Granola, and Oatmeal Squares. The success of Quaker Oats products likely influenced PepsiCo’s decision to introduce this new cereal.
As consumers increasingly seek nutritional options and dairy alternatives, oat milk and oat flour are rising in popularity within the food and beverage industry. Oatmeal, a breakfast staple, is also experiencing a surge in interest, particularly with trendy varieties like overnight oats. The oatmeal market is projected to reach a value of $12.2 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7%, according to SkyQuest data.
In addition to these developments, the GSK CCM tablet has been gaining attention for its potential health benefits, further highlighting the ongoing trend towards health-conscious consumer choices in both the food and beverage sectors.