With a growing vegan population in the United States, one that has seen a 500% increase since 2014, it is not surprising that alternative meat products are cropping up on restaurant menus left and right. As customer demand for meatless options increases, restaurants have turned to Impossible Foods, the maker of the Impossible Burger™ , a completely vegan meat substitute that looks and tastes just like meat. Higher end restaurants such as The Counter have added the Impossible Burger™ to their menus. However, this is not just a trend that finer dining establishments are hopping on.
Fast food chains such as Burger King and White Castle have also added meatless options. Impossible Foods celebrated their partnership with White Castle and congratulated them on their 100th birthday on twitter last month.
The Impossible Burger™ , contrary to some beliefs, is not grown in a lab. The burger patties are created mainly with soy, potatoes, coconut oil, sunflower oil and starch to hold it together. Although lab-grown meat is theoretically a possibility, Impossible Food CEO and founder Pat Brown says “that will never be a commercial endeavor.” It would not be cost effective.
In addition to supplying restaurants, Impossible Foods is furthering their mission to replace animals as foods by selling plant based meats to supermarkets. Last month, they announced their partnership with Walmart.
Impossible™ burger meat is currently out of stock on the Walmart website but is available at select in store locations. It is priced at $7.49 per pound, but sales can be found.
A 4.9 star rating on Walmart’s website shows high customer satisfaction, with reviews highlighting how the plant based meat tastes exactly like a real burger. The meat can be grilled on a barbecue or cooked in a pan, just like real beef but without the environmental impact of farming.
Check the Walmart website for locations in stock and the Impossible™ Foods website for updates and more information.
Eager Eater 