By: Shriya Swaminathan
When the company with one of the most successful IPOs in history comes together with a global beverage giant, all heads turn to see what’s cooking! The PLANeT partnership with Beyond Meat and PepsiCo is the coming together of delicious, cutting-edge, plant-based food technology and a powerhouse of marketing influence with the mission to save our future on this planet. “How will they accomplish this?” you ask? By delivering plant-powered treats BEYOND your wildest dreams of course! While the specifics of the products from this collaboration is currently not public knowledge, we can certainly bet on them being outstandingly tasty and perhaps stir in some nostalgia with veganized favorites from the past- the possibilities are endless!
Beyond Meat Founder and CEO is optimistic of this partnership and believes in the power of its global reach. In their press release, Brown states “We are thrilled to formally join forces with PepsiCo in The PLANeT Partnership, a joint venture that unites the tremendous depth and breadth of their distribution and marketing capabilities with our leading innovation in plant-based protein. We look forward to together unlocking new categories and product lines that will inspire positive choices for both people and planet.”
Delivering juicy, flavorful burgers from plants is the “Beyond” way
PepsiCo’s Global Chief Commercial Officer Ram Krishnan shares the excitement with this new venture and adds– “Plant-based proteins represent an exciting growth opportunity for us, a new frontier in our efforts to build a more sustainable food system and be a positive force for people and the planet, while meeting consumer demand for an expanded portfolio of more nutritious products.” He also adds “Beyond Meat is a cutting-edge innovator in this rapidly growing category, and we look forward to combining their unparalleled expertise with our world-class capabilities in brand-building, consumer insights and distribution to deliver exciting new options.”
Bowl of comfort brought to you by the culinary wizards at Beyond Meat
Of course this collaboration is not without its fair share of critiques- with PepsiCo owning several corporations that are not particularly known for their planet and animal- friendly practices. However, in the grand scheme of things, this venture marks a shift in the status quo of the corporate world. Increasing access to affordable, ethical, sustainable, and most definitely delicious plant-based options is a win for us ALL.
Image Sources: Beyond Meat, Detroit News
