During its annual presentation at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference in Boston, Hormel Foods Corporation announced the launch of the Happy Little Plants brand, a new plant-forward, protein portfolio created as part of the company’s first project under its Cultivated Foods umbrella.

Happy Little Plants products launched this week and have distribution in select retail outlets, with further expansion planned in the coming months. Numerous retailers and foodservice operators have expressed interest based on the exceptional taste, versatility, and simple ingredient statement. Its flagship product is a ground plant-based protein alternative containing 20 grams of non-GMO soy protein, is only 180 calories, with no preservatives, no cholesterol and is gluten-free.

“Hormel Foods has one of the most admired brand portfolios in the industry, led by our legacy of industry-leading innovation,” said Jim Splinter, group vice president of corporate strategy at Hormel Foods. “We are continuing to build an organization that has the agility and adaptability to create products to align with today’s dynamic marketplace.”

The Happy Little Plants brand is part of the company’s plant-based and blended protein innovation efforts, which began in 2014, with the launch of the Hormel Fuse burger in the company’s foodservice business.

Retail and foodservice product offerings have expanded to include additional plant-based pizza topping items produced at its Burke Corporation subsidiary and the Applegate Blend Burger, a product that blends organic meat with organic mushrooms.

For more information on the Happy Little Plants brand, visit www.happylittleplants.com