Upcycling and utilizing all of the product, whether it is animal or plant, is not a new concept, but it is one that has seen a rise in commitment in recent years. So when we heard Schnuck Markets teamed up with Take Two, an upcycled foods company creating second chances for food, people, and the planet, our ears perked up. Recently, the dynamic duo announced the debut of Take Two Barleymilk™ at Schnucks stores throughout Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.
“We are thrilled to launch Take Two Barleymilk with Schnucks. Creating partnerships with aligned and committed industry leaders is necessary to transform the food industry and to upcycle the billions of pounds of spent grain that go to waste annually. Take Two’s partnership with Schnucks will result in over 90,000 pounds of spent grain saved the first year,” says Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Take Two, Jerek Theo Lovey. “The upcycled barley in Take Two Barleymilk is sourced from EverGrain, which is headquartered in St. Louis. We are looking forward to bringing this nutritious ingredient to people in the local community.”
Take Two Barleymilk is allegedly the first plant-milk to utilize an upcycled ingredient: upcycled barley.With over 8 billion pounds of spent grain going to waste annually from beer brewing, Take Two transforms it into delicious and nourishing plant-based milk.
“We are on track to upcycle at least 500,000 pounds of spent grain this year, which is just scratching the surface of the billions of pounds of spent grain that go to waste annually,” Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Matthew Olsofsky said. “In tackling solving the 8 billion pounds of spent grain waste created annually, we are on a mission to transform the food system via upcycling.”
With a committed vision to use upcycled ingredients, Take Two is one of the first companies to become Upcycled Certified by the Upcycled Food Association in partnership with Where Food Comes From.
The Upcycled Certification Program is one of the world’s first third-party certification programs for upcycled food ingredients and products. Shoppers who are eco-conscious will immediately be able to spot Take Two’s commitment on the shelf thanks to the on-package certification mark.
“Schnucks is proud to offer our customers Take Two Barleymilk—one of the first dairy products that we carry that focuses on upcycling and reducing food waste by providing a second chance for ingredients that are sourced in our hometown of St. Louis,” said Tim Fahrenhorst, Schnucks Dairy Category Manager. “Not only is Take Two looking to transform the food life cycle, but the product also tastes great!”
According to the release, the upcycling company sources its barley from EverGrain, an Anheuser-Busch InBev-backed company based in St. Louis, Missouri. Then, the spent grain is transformed into high-quality, sustainable ingredients to create nutritious food and beverages.
“We’re thrilled for our inclusion in Take Two’s game-changing Barleymilk and for it to be available to consumers at an iconic, fellow St. Louis institution like Schnucks,” Pavel Hejsek, the Owner of Protein Products at EverGrain stated. “At EverGrain, we aim to use circular practices to make the world’s most sustainable source of plant-based protein, all while delivering phenomenal-tasting and nutrient-rich products. It takes disruptive, innovative companies like Take Two to set the tone for the future of the food industry, and we are excited for consumers to realize the potential of barley.”
With 3–8 grams of complete plant protein per serving, Take Two Barleymilk provides essential nutrients, 50 percent more calcium and less sugar than dairy milk, healthy fats, and other vitamins and minerals. As of now, Schnucks shoppers can find Original, Unsweetened, and Chocolate flavors at $4.99 for a 40 oz bottle on the shelf. The growing company will be expanding its Barleymilk offerings into 32 oz shelf-stable packaging this summer, which includes the debut of their new Barista Barleymilk.
Stay tuned to Deli Market News as we keep an eye on the wire for the latest drops from the specialty, dairy, and deli sectors.
