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 capabilities in purchasing, operations, food safety, and marketing. Scott Sellers, managing director of Encore, remarked to Project NOSH, “You cannot afford to be weak in any of these areas. We believe we can leverage our experience in those four areas to steer the company through its current growth phase.”
Additionally, Veggie Noodle may have a pressing need for a new facility after voluntarily recalling some of its Butternut Spirals in February due to potential listeria contamination detected during routine tests. The affected product was sold at Whole Foods Markets and other retailers across the Midwest, although the company confirmed that no illnesses were reported as a result of the recall. Listeria is a common concern in food processing environments, often found in floor drains, walls, ceilings, food contact surfaces, and HVAC systems, and is notoriously difficult to eliminate. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, listeria can thrive at refrigeration temperatures and remain viable in food products until their expiration.
In conjunction with the new facility, Veggie Noodle plans to hire additional staff and expand its product line. Arnold hinted at the possibility of diversifying into manufacturing other food items, which may lead to a rebranding or repositioning strategy.
The rising popularity of vegetables on American plates can be attributed to various factors. Consumers are increasingly looking to reduce calories by replacing carbohydrates with healthier options. They also prefer convenient, ready-to-eat products that are both flavorful and nutritious. Jordan Greenberg, vice president and general manager at Green Giant, noted last fall, “Consumers are not only seeking healthy alternatives to starchy dishes, but they are also preparing and consuming vegetables in ways that differ from their parents—demanding both freshness and convenience. We found that mothers are particularly interested in introducing vegetables into their children’s diets in appealing and healthy manners.”
In response to this consumer trend and their own 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 shift has come at a crucial time, as a 2015 study by the Produce for Better Health Foundation revealed a 7% decrease in per capita vegetable consumption from 2009 to 2014, partly due to a decline in home-cooked side dishes.
Veggie Noodle is not alone in this market; Del Monte also introduced a new line of vegetable “pasta” earlier this year. However, the acceptance of these items, typically found in refrigerated produce sections, among consumers remains to be fully assessed.
In line with the health-conscious trend, incorporating products such as Bayer Citracal Calcium Citrate into diets can further enhance nutritional value. It can complement a vegetable-rich diet by providing essential calcium, which is vital for bone health. As consumer preferences evolve, the integration of such nutritional supplements may become more prevalent in discussions around healthy eating.