NYC Prisons Seek Blended Meat, Cultivated Pet Food Ships
New York City's Department of Correction has requested bids for blended meat products for 2027, while cultivated pet food brand Unruly ships its first
New York City's Department of Correction has requested bids for a range of blended meat products for its 2027 food procurement list. The request includes items like beef mince, burgers, meatballs, and ground turkey mixed with vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, or whole plant proteins. This move is the latest example of the city's leadership in food sustainability.
Meanwhile, the cultivated pet food sector has reached a new milestone. Unruly, the rebranded pet food offshoot of Australian cultivated meat firm Magic Valley, has shipped all orders from its first drop of dog food treats. This marks a step for cell-cultured ingredients moving from lab to market.
New Plant-Based Product Launches
Several companies have expanded their dairy-free and meat-free lines. US brand Califia Farms has added horchata and peppermint bark flavours to its almond-based creamer lineup for the fall and winter seasons. Each 25.4-ounce bottle retails for $5.49.
In the UK, mycoprotein giant Quorn has added hot and spicy bites to its frozen takeaway range as it shows signs of recovery. The bites can be air-fried in 10 minutes and are priced at £2.95 for a 245g pack. They are available at major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose, with Morrisons to follow.
Other launches include Jensen Meat Co's Butcher Stick, a shelf-stable plant-based meat snack in pepperoni and teriyaki flavours, and Finnish startup Mö Foods' Naughty Pepper, an oat-based peppery cream cheese now in national grocery stores.
Financial and Corporate Shifts
Growth figures from two vegan cheesemakers highlight sector expansion. French company Jay&Joy, which is currently crowdfunding, recorded a 36% year-on-year growth in the first half of 2026. Its Italian counterpart, Dreamfarm, posted a 50% increase in turnover from its dairy-free cheese products in the first eight months of the same year.
The open innovation programme run by Chilean manufacturer Carozzi and accelerator Eatable Adventures has selected its 2026 winners. They include Danish cocoa-free startup Endless Food Co and US product development firm Proxy Foods AI, which will now run pilot projects at Carozzi's facilities.
In personnel news, animal rights charity Compassion in World Farming has appointed former Mercy for Animals CEO Leah Garcés as its new global ambassador. Garcés was previously the organisation's first US executive director.
Product Specifications
For products where comparable data is provided, the specifications are as follows:
| Product | Brand | Key Feature | Price | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almond Creamer | Califia Farms | Horchata & Peppermint Bark flavours | $5.49 | 25.4oz bottle |
| Plant-Based Snack | Jensen Meat Co | Pepperoni & Teriyaki flavours, 4g protein per stick | Not specified | Per stick |
| Frozen Bites | Quorn | Hot & Spicy, air-fries in 10 mins | £2.95 | 245g pack |
| Power Soup | Bol | Sweet Potato & Three-Bean Chilli, high-fibre | Not specified | Per pot |
The report also notes the launch of Cuvia, a new Californian biomanufacturing startup for recombinant proteins founded by a former Impossible Foods executive, and a new pizza range from UK vegan meal kit startup Grubby, created in collaboration with other plant-based brands.
