Trader Joe’s vegan seafood may be on the way.
On an episode of the supermarket’s podcast, Inside Trader Joe’s, Amy Gaston-Morales—the chain’s category manager of Deli/Frozen Meat, Seafood, Meatless/Fresh Beverage—talked about the potential new offering.
“I’m looking to do more work on the seafood side,” she said when asked about vegan products she wants develop. She explained that while Trader Joe’s offers a full spectrum of plant-based meats, vegan seafood is one category the chain hasn’t explored.
“We don’t have options yet within our stores for a plant-based seafood product. But there are crab cakes out on the market or scallops or tuna replacements,” she continued. “So [we’re] really looking more at the seafood to make sure we’ve covered all of the proteins that customers are familiar with.”
Trader Joe’s Vegan Seafood
Plant-based seafood is already readily available on the market.
At Target, customers can purchase Gardein’s frozen fishless filets and Good Catch’s vegan tuna. Sprouts carries a number of vegan seafood options. These include vegan breaded shrimp, crab cake, and smoked salmon by plant-based seafood brand Sophie’s Kitchen.
While it hasn’t yet waded into the vegan seafood space, Trader Joe’s has been increasing it’s plant-based options to keep up with the increasing demand.
“There’s been a huge growth in the meatless set. These new iterations of products are really going after the flexitarian customer,” Gaston-Morales explained. “And as people are looking for ways to have a healthier lifestyle, improve their overall general health, but then a better impact to the environment are incorporating meat-free days”
In addition to vegan seafood, Gaston-Morales hinted at the possibility of developing meatless bacon and charcuterie products.
Trader Joe’s current vegan options are expansive and have a strong online following. Vegan offerings include cereals, candies, dairy-free products like cheese and milk, cookies, meatless proteins, and more. And in July 2020, the supermarket chain even launched Impossible Foods’ flagship product: the Impossible Burger.
“You don’t have to give up your burger to have something plant-based,” Gaston-Morales said. “You can still enjoy those comfort foods. And then you’re doing something good for yourself and the environment at the same time.”
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