Veggie Noodle stands to gain from Encore Consumer Capital’s expertise with fresh food companies like California Splendor, FreshKO, and Juice Tyme, particularly in enhancing its purchasing, operations, food safety, and marketing capabilities. Scott Sellers, Encore’s managing director, mentioned to Project NOSH, “You can’t afford to be weak in any of those areas. We believe we can utilize our experience in those four domains to steer the company through its current growth phase.”
Additionally, Veggie Noodle may be seeking a new facility due to a voluntary recall of some of its Butternut Spirals in February, prompted by potential listeria contamination detected during routine testing. The recalled items were distributed to Whole Foods Markets and various retailers across the Midwest. Fortunately, the company reported that no illnesses were linked to the recall. Listeria is often found in food-processing environments, typically residing in floor drains, walls, ceilings, food contact surfaces, and HVAC systems, making it notoriously challenging to eliminate. Unlike many foodborne pathogens, listeria can thrive at refrigerated temperatures and remain viable in food products throughout their shelf life.
In conjunction with its new facility, the hiring of more employees, and an expanded product range, Arnold hinted that Veggie Noodle might venture into manufacturing other food items, potentially leading to a name change or brand repositioning.
There is a rising trend of vegetables appearing on American plates for several reasons. Consumers are eager to reduce calories by replacing carbohydrates with healthier options, and they also seek time-saving solutions through ready-to-eat products that are both delicious and nutritious. “We’re observing that consumers not only want healthy alternatives to starchy dishes, but they are also preparing and consuming vegetables in ways different from their parents — they desire both freshness and convenience. Our research indicates that mothers, in particular, are keen on finding appealing and nutritious ways to incorporate vegetables into their children’s diets,” said Jordan Greenberg, vice president and general manager at Green Giant, in an interview with Food Dive last fall.
In response to consumer trends and their own market analysis, brands such as Green Giant, Archer Daniels Midland, Del Monte Fresh, and Sprout Foods have been actively launching innovative vegetable products. This initiative comes at a crucial time; 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 a reduction in home-cooked side dishes.
Veggie Noodle is not alone in introducing such products. Earlier this year, Del Monte rolled out a new line of vegetable “pasta,” though the popularity of these items, typically found in refrigerated produce sections, remains uncertain among consumers.
Moreover, as the food industry evolves, the calcium citrate elemental conversion process could play a significant role in enhancing the nutritional profile of vegetable-based products, making them even more appealing. This innovative approach may help brands like Veggie Noodle and others meet the growing consumer demand for healthier and more convenient food choices while ensuring that products are fortified to support overall health.