Following successful pilots in the Bronx and Brooklyn, Plantega is expanding its plant-based initative to at least 20 bodegas across New York City in 2021.
Plantega works with bodega owners to customize in-store solutions that make it easier for them to offer neighborhood shoppers everyday plant-based essentials like burgers, eggs, cheese, deli slices, and non-dairy ice cream. Locations featuring the Plantega Grill Menu offer freshly prepared staples like a chopped cheese; sausage, egg, and cheese; and deli slice sandwiches, all made with 100 percent plant-based ingredients.
Several brands that participated in the pilot will continue to be featured, including Just Egg, Good Catch, Beyond Meat, Miyoko’s Creamery, No Evil Foods, Follow Your Heart, and Tofurky. Plantega confirmed that Ben & Jerry’s will be featuring non-dairy flavors in participating stores, as well as supporting community empowerment projects in New York City.
Plantega plans to onboard additional brands in collaboration with Ace Natural, an NYC distributor for natural and organic ingredients.
"For too long, the sustainable food movement has felt out of reach and culturally out of context for a large number of New Yorkers. Plantega is on a mission to change that," said Nil Zacharias, leader of the Plantega initiative, in a statement. "We use a unique community-powered food systems model that blends the latest food innovations with decentralized, local distribution. We partner with the city's iconic independent bodegas using a turnkey solution that showcases delicious, high-quality, plant-based brands in formats that feel familiar and accessible to everyone. And we deploy community-led outreach efforts to build awareness and engagement locally.”
Currently, Plantega’s open locations include Marinello’s Gourmet Deli and Don Poli Meat Market in Brooklyn, Sammy Gourmet Deli in Queens, My Deli in the Bronx, and 3rd Ave Deli and Grocery, Silver Moon Deli, and 181 Gourmet Deli in Manhattan. The initiative plans to double its locations by mid-summer.
Related: NYC Bodega Coolers Increase Plant-Based Food Access; Plant-Based Meat, Dairy Drive Category.
Image: Plantega