Rolling into a new market, Hooray Foods is bringing plant-based bacon to a new demographic. Recently, the alternative protein provider launched its bacon-flavored strips in 180 Sobeys locations, the first Canadian retailer to carry Hooray’s innovative product. Locations include the flagship Sobeys banner, Safeway, and Thrifty Foods across Ontario and British Columbia.
“We’ve experienced rapid growth in the U.S. since our launch a year ago. People who love bacon love Hooray,” said Canadian-born Hooray Foods Founder and Chief Executive Officer Sri Artham, who started the brand with a mission to improve the health of the planet and its people. “As a Canadian, I’m beyond excited to ‘bring home the bacon’ and offer Canadian shoppers a unique and delicious meat alternative. Sobeys is a perfect partner in this as they’ve been at the forefront of providing customers with innovative plant-based options.”
Hooray Foods enters the Canadian market as the meat alternatives industry is booming. According to a recent Ernst and Young report, commissioned by Protein Industries Canada, the global market for meat alternatives is expected to rise to $107–$180 billion CDN ($135–$143 billion USD) by 2035, noted the release.
“At Sobeys, we are passionate about providing our customers with a fulsome shopping experience by continuing to introduce new and innovative products like Hooray Foods bacon-flavored strips,” said Rob Mikulec, Director of Merchandising, Plant Based, Seafood, Deli, and HMR for Sobeys. “We are so proud to be the first retailer to bring this product to Canadian tables and look forward to seeing the unique and delicious ways our customers add it to their breakfast meals, side dishes, and festive appetizers!”
What sets Hooray Foods bacon-flavored strips apart from other meat-free bacon alternatives is the original way it encapsulates fat, stated the release. By doing so, the company can replicate the unique taste and texture of bacon as well as recreate the experience of cooking it.
Additionally, Hooray bacon-flavored strips are minimally processed and are free of soy, gluten, nitrates, and hormones. The flavor profile features a mix of umami, salty, and smoky with a hint of sweetness. This is achieved with ingredients like coconut oil, rice flour, tapioca starch, liquid smoke, umami seasoning (shiitake mushrooms, salt, mushroom extract, calcium carbonate), maple syrup, salt, and beet juice concentrate.
Where will we find Hooray Foods enter next? Stay tuned as we keep an eye on the wire.
