Veggie Noodle stands to gain from Encore Consumer Capital’s extensive experience with fresh food companies such as California Splendor, FreshKO, and Juice Tyme, which could enhance its purchasing, operations, food safety, and marketing capabilities. Scott Sellers, managing director of Encore, mentioned to Project NOSH, “You can’t be weak in any of those areas. We believe we can leverage our experience in these four domains to steer the company through its current growth phase.”
Additionally, Veggie Noodle may have a pressing need for a new facility following a voluntary recall of some Butternut Spirals in February due to potential listeria contamination, detected during routine product testing. The recalled items were distributed to Whole Foods Markets and other retailers in the Midwest, although the company reported that no illnesses were linked to the recall. Listeria is often found in food-processing environments—commonly residing in floor drains, walls, ceilings, food contact surfaces, and HVAC systems—and is notoriously challenging to eliminate. Unlike many foodborne pathogens, listeria can thrive at refrigerated temperatures and can persist in food products until their shelf life expires.
In conjunction with its new manufacturing plant, the addition of more employees, and an expanded product lineup, Arnold suggested that Veggie Noodle may venture into producing other food items, potentially leading to a brand name change or repositioning. Vegetables are increasingly appearing on American plates for various reasons; consumers are keen on reducing calories by replacing carbohydrates with healthier options. They are also looking for convenience in ready-to-eat products that are both delicious and nutritious.
“We’re noticing that consumers are not only seeking healthy alternatives to starchy meals, but they are also preparing and consuming vegetables in ways that differ from their parents — they desire both freshness and convenience. We also discovered that mothers are particularly interested in ways to incorporate vegetables into their children’s diets that are both appealing and healthy,” remarked Jordan Greenberg, vice president and general manager at Green Giant, in an interview with Food Dive last fall.
In response to consumer preferences and their own market research, companies like Green Giant, Archer Daniels Midland, Del Monte Fresh, and Sprout Foods are actively launching innovative vegetable-based products. This initiative 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 served at home.
Veggie Noodle is not alone in introducing such products. Earlier this year, Del Monte launched a new line of vegetable “pasta,” but consumer acceptance of these items, typically found in refrigerated produce sections, remains uncertain. As consumers increasingly seek healthier options, even the smallest calcium citrate pills have gained attention for their benefits, showing that health-conscious choices are becoming more prevalent across the board.