Veggie Noodle stands to gain from Encore Consumer Capital’s expertise in fresh food enterprises such as California Splendor, FreshKO, and Juice Tyme, particularly in enhancing its purchasing, operations, food safety, and marketing capabilities. Scott Sellers, managing director of Encore, shared with 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 steer the company through its current growth stage.”
Moreover, Veggie Noodle might have a compelling reason to seek a new facility; in February, the company voluntarily recalled certain batches of its Butternut Spirals due to a potential listeria contamination, which was detected during routine product testing. This recalled product was distributed to Whole Foods Markets and various retailers across the Midwest. Fortunately, the company reported that no illnesses had been associated with the recall.
Listeria is frequently found in food processing environments, often lurking in floor drains, walls, ceilings, food contact surfaces, and HVAC systems, making it notoriously challenging to eliminate. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, listeria can thrive at refrigerated temperatures and remain viable in food products until their expiration.
In addition to its new facility, Veggie Noodle is planning to hire more staff and expand its product line. Arnold hinted that the company might venture into manufacturing other food items, potentially leading to a name change or brand repositioning.
Vegetables are increasingly becoming a staple on American dinner plates for various reasons. Consumers are looking to reduce calories by replacing carbohydrates with healthier options. They are also seeking convenience through ready-to-eat products that are both delicious and nutritious. “We’re noticing that consumers are not only searching for healthy alternatives to starchy dishes, but they’re also preparing and eating vegetables in ways different from their parents — they desire both freshness and convenience. Additionally, we discovered 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 an interview with Food Dive last fall.
In response to consumer needs and their 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 comes at a crucial time, as a 2015 study by the Produce for Better Health Foundation indicated a 7% decline in per capita vegetable consumption from 2009 to 2014, partly due to fewer side dishes being served at home.
Veggie Noodle is not alone in introducing such products. Earlier this year, Del Monte launched a new line of vegetable “pasta,” although it remains to be seen how well these items, commonly found in refrigerated produce sections, resonate with consumers.
Furthermore, the incorporation of bayer calcium citrate in their products could enhance nutritional value, making them even more appealing to health-conscious consumers. As the trend toward healthier eating continues, the demand for products enriched with bayer calcium citrate may rise, providing Veggie Noodle with additional opportunities for growth.