News
Applegate introduces blended burgers
7 Apr 2020Applegate will introduce Well Carved, its new hybrid meat and veggie line, to grocery stores in April 2020. The new product portfolio will feature beef and turkey burgers as well as Asian style pork meatballs and Mediterranean style turkey meatballs.
Hormel Foods, which owns the organic meat brand Applegate, is the latest meat-centric manufacturer to launch a product into the blended space. The brand’s grass-fed beef burger contains cauliflower, spinach, lentils and butternut squash along with beef; the turkey burger blends sweet potato, great northern bean, kale and roasted onion with turkey; the pork meatballs combine brown rice, green onion, carrot, parsley and pork; and the turkey meatballs feature lentils, feta cheese and spinach with ground turkey. Each burger is four ounces.
![Applegate introduces blended burgers](/img/ingnet-logo.png)
“Well Carved offers an easy way for consumers to enjoy the real, clean meat they crave while also reducing overall consumption,” said John Ghingo, president of Applegate in a release.
Although Hormel Foods was scheduled to debut this new line at Products Expo West, COVID-19 delayed the public launch. Now the company is directly releasing its new frozen line directly to consumers.
Consumer interest in plant-based products has been growing. While meat is in no danger of going completely out of fashion, 60% of those ages 25 to 70 saying they're cutting back on animal consumption for cost or health reasons, according to HealthFocus International figures from 2018. Similarly, the United Nations said agriculture and food production generated 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions and called for a reduction in global meat consumption.
To cater to this demographic of conscientious carnivores, Applegate is doubling down on a blended strategy.
Last year, the organic meat brand launched its first foray into the blended meat category with The Great Organic Blend Burger. This latest product line takes things a step further and introduces meatballs and varies the vegetables used in the blends. Great Organic Blend Burgers are supplemented only with mushrooms.
Applegate’s latest blend is made with a majority meat and echoes similar products from competitors. Tyson put its Raised & Rooted blended burgers onto the market last year and Perdue got into the game with blended vegetable and chicken nuggets, tenders and patties.
However, price may be an object for the Well Carved brand. The AP News reported that Applegate charges $9.99 for a four-pack compared to $5.29 for the same quantity of organic beef at Aldi.
Related news
![Consumers lack confidence in Australasian food labelling and ‘fake’ meat](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/48/19/th124819.png)
Consumers lack confidence in Australasian food labelling and ‘fake’ meat
5 Jul 2024
Australian and New Zealand consumers are concerned about foodborne illnesses and do not trust cell-cultured meat, according to a survey by Food Safety Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).
Read more![Nestlé launches GLP-1 Nutrition initiative](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/48/15/th124815.png)
Nestlé launches GLP-1 Nutrition initiative
4 Jul 2024
Nestlé Health Science has introduced GLP-1 Nutrition, an initiative to support consumers during their weight loss efforts, building on the recent launch of its Vital Pursuit product range. “Nutrition, science, and wellness must merge – not collide,” it...
Read more![Rethinking funding for food technology](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/47/76/th124776.png)
Rethinking funding for food technology
28 Jun 2024
The landscape of foodtech investment is evolving. With the need for long-term investment perspectives, what are the most effective strategies driving the next wave in foodtech innovation?
Read more![Chinese Gen Z consumers hungry for alternative proteins](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/47/70/th124770.png)
Chinese Gen Z consumers hungry for alternative proteins
27 Jun 2024
China’s Gen Z could be at the forefront of a dietary shift, with younger consumers increasingly open to and curious about alternative proteins. With the right strategies to address their concerns and highlight the benefits, the alternative protein mark...
Read more![Will ASEAN harmonise food marketing rules for children?](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/47/17/th124717.png)
Will ASEAN harmonise food marketing rules for children?
21 Jun 2024
ASEAN Health Ministries and UNICEF release new guidelines on how food and beverage brands should market their products to children to protect them from harm.
Read more![Adventurous US consumers eager for ‘swicy’ flavours](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/47/01/th124701.png)
Adventurous US consumers eager for ‘swicy’ flavours
19 Jun 2024
US manufacturers and marketers are tapping into the adventurer consumer persona and enhancing their products with elevated and diverse ‘swicy’ flavours.
Read more![Scientists use digital PCR technology to ensure food safety](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/46/44/th124644.png)
Scientists use digital PCR technology to ensure food safety
18 Jun 2024
Researchers are applying digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to accurately identify and quantify allergens in foods and adulteration in meat.
Read more![Fibre-filled bread leads health-conscious baked buys in Asia](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/46/45/th124645.png)
Fibre-filled bread leads health-conscious baked buys in Asia
17 Jun 2024
Value revolves around better-for-you bakery claims and nutritious seed-rich loaves as consumers seek less sugar and more fibre from their baked goods, according to Mintel.
Read more![Savvy shoppers choose savings despite lower inflation](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/46/43/th124643.png)
Savvy shoppers choose savings despite lower inflation
12 Jun 2024
Consumers remain cautious about spending, despite global drops in inflation and the UK recording its lowest inflation levels in recent years.
Read more![Brazilian study finds high levels of mycotoxins in flour and rice](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/45/94/th124594.png)
Brazilian study finds high levels of mycotoxins in flour and rice
10 Jun 2024
For the first time, scientists in Brazil used biomarkers to analyse the risk of mycotoxins in consumers’ diets, finding that some exceed maximum permitted levels.
Read more