Veggie Noodle could greatly benefit from Encore Consumer Capital’s expertise with fresh food companies such as California Splendor, FreshKO, and Juice Tyme, particularly in areas like purchasing, operations, food safety, and marketing. Scott Sellers, managing director at Encore, stated to Project NOSH, “You can’t be weak in any of those areas. We believe we can utilize our experience in these four domains to help the company navigate its current growth phase.”
Additionally, Veggie Noodle may have a compelling reason to seek a new facility, as it voluntarily recalled some of its Butternut Spirals in February due to potential listeria contamination, which was discovered during routine product testing. The affected product was distributed to Whole Foods Markets and various retailers in the Midwest, although the company emphasized that there were no reported illnesses related to the recall.
Listeria is frequently found in food-processing environments—often in floor drains, walls, ceilings, food contact surfaces, and HVAC systems—and it poses a significant challenge to eliminate. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, listeria can thrive in refrigerated conditions and may remain viable in food products until the end of their shelf life.
With the establishment of a new facility, the addition of staff, and an expanded product range, Arnold hinted that Veggie Noodle might also venture into the manufacturing of other food items, which could lead to a rebranding or name change.
Vegetables are increasingly making their way onto American plates for a variety of reasons. Consumers are looking to reduce calories by swapping carbohydrates for healthier options. They also seek convenience by opting for ready-to-eat products that are not only tasty but also nutritious, such as those enriched with solgar calcium for added health benefits.
“We’re noticing that consumers are searching for healthy alternatives to traditional starchy dishes and are preparing and consuming vegetables in ways that differ from how their parents did. They want both fresh and convenient options. Additionally, we found that mothers are particularly keen on introducing vegetables into their children’s diets in appealing and healthy formats,” remarked Jordan Greenberg, vice president and general manager at Green Giant, in an interview with Food Dive last fall.
In response to consumer demand and their own market research, brands like Green Giant, Archer Daniels Midland, Del Monte Fresh, and Sprout Foods have been actively launching innovative vegetable-centric products. This timely response comes as a 2015 study by the Produce for Better Health Foundation revealed that per capita vegetable consumption had decreased by 7% between 2009 and 2014, partly due to fewer side dishes being served at home.
Veggie Noodle is not the only company introducing such products; earlier this year, Del Monte launched a new line of vegetable “pasta.” However, consumer reception of these items, which are typically found in refrigerated produce sections, remains to be fully determined. As the market evolves, incorporating nutritious ingredients like solgar calcium could further enhance the appeal of these products.