JUST and Michael Foods Partner to Bring Plant-Based Eggs to Consumers in US
JUST, a company that applies cutting-edge science and technology to create healthier, more sustainable food products, and Michael Foods, a subsidiary of Post Holdings and one of the largest processors of value-added eggs in the world, have partnered to bring the plant-based JUST Egg to millions more consumers in the US.
Under the arrangement, Michael Foods will be the exclusive manufacturer, supplier and distributor of JUST Egg to foodservice and food ingredient customers who are already familiar with their industry-leading egg brands such as Papetti’s, Abbotsford Farms and Davidson’s Safest Choice and are in search of a unique, plant-based egg product.
“For more than 100 years, the Michael Foods family of businesses have leveraged quality ingredients and cutting-edge processes to offer the finest products and solutions to their customers. This partnership adds an innovative new product to their impressive portfolio,” said Josh Tetrick, Co-Founder and CEO of JUST. “Our companies share a great deal in common. We’re fathers and brothers and sisters and mothers, all sharing a belief that the food we eat is one of the most important choices we make. Signing this partnership is one of the proudest moments in our company’s journey to build a better food system.”
“We are excited about this new partnership,” said Mark Westphal, President of Michael Foods. “Eggs will continue to be a nutritious and affordable staple in America’s diet, and JUST’s plant-based egg products offer a great complement to our value-added eggs by allowing customers to serve every consumer their preference. Working together, we are bringing innovation and options to the food industry.”
JUST Egg comes in two formats: a pourable liquid perfect for scrambles, omelets, quiches, stir-fries and a wide variety of baking applications; and a fluffy, pre-baked folded egg patty, ideal on top of toast or inside a breakfast sandwich. Its key ingredient is protein derived from mung beans, a legume that has been cultivated for thousands of years and is a dietary staple in Asia. The product is cholesterol-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, Kosher certified and is packed with as much protein as many other plant and animal proteins. Its ingredients use 98 percent less water, 86 percent less land and emit 93 percent less CO2 than conventional animal sources.
In its first full year of distribution, JUST launched with leading US retailers and grocers such as Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, Safeway, Albertsons, Giant, Wegmans, Publix and online via Amazon and Fresh Direct among others.