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TASTY: The Biggest Growth Opportunity for Plant-Based Food 

Written by Benjamin Davis on . Posted in Industry updates, Manufacturing, Products, Research.

NECTAR’s First-Ever TASTY Awards Prove That Taste Wins Customers—And There’s Still Work to Be Done 

For years, the plant-based food industry has struggled with a key challenge: how do we make products that truly satisfy mainstream consumers? While health, sustainability, and ethics drive purchasing decisions for some, taste remains the number one factor for the majority of consumers—especially those who regularly eat meat. 

That’s where NECTAR’s TASTY Awards and Taste of the Industry report come in. For the first time, an independent, large-scale sensory study has determined which plant-based products actually impress meat eaters. The results provide a roadmap for retailers and foodservice operators looking to stock only the most competitive plant-based options. 

 

The Cream of the Crop: Plant-Based Foods That Win Over Meat Eaters 

The TASTY Awards recognize products that meet or exceed the taste expectations of omnivorous consumers. Out of 122 plant-based products tested across 14 categories, only 20 products earned this distinction—meaning they were rated as good as or better than their animal-based counterparts by at least 50% of participants. 

 

2025 TASTY Award Winners: 

  • Chicken: Impossible® Unbreaded Chicken Fillet, Vivera Plant-Based Chicken Breast, SWAP Food’s SWAP Chicken, Meati Classic Cutlet, The Vegetarian Butcher’s Impeckable Chicken Breast 
  • Deli & Cold Cuts: Tofurky Next-Gen Deli Slices (Roasted Turk’y), Prime Roots Cracked Pepper Turkey 
  • Nuggets & Prepared Foods: Impossible® Chicken Nuggets, MorningStar Farms® Chik’n Nuggets, Impossible® Meatballs, Impossible® Hot Dog 
  • Burgers & Sausages: Impossible® Burger, MorningStar Farms® Steakhouse Style Burgers, Heura Burger, Beyond Meat Beyond Burger, Redefine Meat Redefine Premium Burgers 
  • Breakfast Meats: Impossible® Sausage Patties, Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Breakfast Saus’ge – Original 
  • Other Standouts: The Green Mountain Plant-Based Ham, The Vegetarian Butcher’s Hentastic Southern Fried Chicken 

These top-tier products aren’t just the best in their respective categories; they are leading the entire plant-based movement forward. For retail buyers and foodservice operators, they represent the most promising products to drive repeat purchases and attract new customers. 

 

A Critical Wake-Up Call: The Gaps in the Market 

While the TASTY Awards highlight the best of the best, they also reveal an important reality: many plant-based meat categories still have no products good enough to win over mainstream consumers. 

NECTAR’s research found that only 30% of consumers rated the average plant-based product as “like” or “like very much”—compared to 68% for animal-based products. The biggest issue? Texture. Consumers noted that even top-performing plant-based meats could improve in their bite, chew, and overall mouthfeel to close the gap with traditional meat. 

This presents a massive opportunity for product developers, brands, and investors: 

  • Brands: Use this research as an R&D roadmap. The demand is there—if you can meet taste expectations, consumers will buy. 
  • Buyers: Identify white space opportunities. NECTAR’s findings show where products are still falling short—these gaps are where the next wave of innovation will emerge. 
  • Foodservice Operators: Be selective. Stock the winners, but also watch for the next generation of improved products that will better meet consumer expectations. 

 

Taste: The North Star for the Plant-Based Industry 

The plant-based industry is still in its early stages compared to traditional meat. NECTAR’s Taste of the Industry report and TASTY Awards confirm that progress is being made, but there’s still room for growth. 

The good news? Consumers are willing to pay a premium for better-tasting plant-based products. Retailers and foodservice providers who align their selections with these findings will position themselves at the forefront of the industry’s next phase of expansion. 

This is just the beginning of our TASTY: The Biggest Growth Opportunity for Plant-Based Food series. Stay tuned as we break down NECTAR’s findings, explore the most promising brands, and track the innovations that will define the future of plant-based meats. 

 

Plant Based World Joins the Emerald Family: A Catalyst for Industry Growth 

Written by Benjamin Davis on . Posted in Event Spotlights, Global Marketplace, Industry updates, Plant Based World Europe, Plant Based World North America.

In a landmark development for the global plant-based food industry, Emerald Expositions, a leading media and trade show company, has acquired Plant Based World Expo (PBW). This acquisition signals a new era for PBW, bringing increased resources, an expanded reach, and a long-term growth strategy that aligns with the accelerating momentum of the plant-based sector. 

For Benjamin Davis, Content Chair for Plant Based World, this moment represents the culmination of a vision that began in 2018. “When we first wrote the business plan for Plant Based World Expo, we set out to create a platform that could serve as a hub for the entire plant-based food industry—a place where innovation, collaboration, and inspiration could thrive,” Davis shares.  

Jonathan Morley, General Manager of Plant Based World added to these sentiments, “Our ability to support the growth of the industry is now elevated through Emerald’s acquisition. It validates the industry and ensures PBW will have the resources it needs to continue leading the charge for years to come.” 

 

An Opportunity for All Industry Stakeholders 

Plant Based World has quickly established itself as the premier event for the plant-based food sector on two continents, connecting foodservice and retail buyers, manufacturers, investors, and service providers in an ecosystem that drives innovation and collaboration. The partnership with Emerald amplifies these efforts by tapping into the company’s vast expertise in managing large-scale trade shows and expanding global networks. 

Gannon Brousseau, Executive Vice President of Emerald’s Food Group, emphasized the strategic importance of adding PBW to the company’s portfolio. “Plant Based World represents a high-growth, high-potential area that is more than just a trend- it’s an exciting new frontier” Brousseau states. “Emerald is committed to investing in industries that shape a more sustainable, healthful, and innovative future, and Plant Based World aligns perfectly with that mission. We’re excited to work with the PBW team to help the industry reach new heights.” 

A Future-Forward Vision 

Emerald’s acquisition comes at a time when the plant-based industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. With the global plant-based food market projected to reach $113.05 billion by 2031, the opportunity for expansion is clear. The plant-based category is no longer niche—it is reshaping food systems, driven by consumer demand for sustainability, health, and ethical eating. 

What’s Next for PBW? 

With Plant Based World Expo North America scheduled for September 24-25, 2025 in New York City and Plant Based World Expo Europe set for November 11-12, 2025 in London, the events are poised to showcase their most dynamic iterations yet. From groundbreaking product launches and hosted buyer meetings to thought-provoking panel discussions, attendees can expect an elevated experience that reflects the growing importance of plant-based innovation in the food industry. 

As Davis aptly puts it, “This is just the beginning. With Emerald’s backing, Plant Based World is not only growing; it’s becoming an enduring force for positive change in our global food system.”