Fresh Thyme Expands Plant-Based Sets

Hoping to capture a share of the $5 billion plant-based food market, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market of Downers Grove, Ill., has partnered with the Happy Little Plants brand to expand its plant-based protein options with dedicated sets in each of its 74 locations in 11 states throughout the Midwest.

“We’ve continued to see our customers looking for a simple and convenient way to find the plant-based alternative products, and we are excited to be one of the few retailers in our category to offer a dedicated area to locate products like Happy Little Plants,” said Jason Resner, VP of meat and seafood for Fresh Thyme, in a statement.

A full-service specialty retailer focusing on value-priced fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings, Fresh Thyme stores also feature extensive produce departments, natural meat departments, healthy deli foods to go, bulk items, supplements and now special plant-based sets.

Introduced by Hormel Foods of Austin, Minn., in 2019, Happy Little Plants launched with a flagship ground product that offers 20 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving with no preservatives, cholesterol or added sugars. The plant-based protein is also low in sodium and saturated fat and is made with nongenetically modified ingredients that are both gluten-free and low-calorie.

The Happy Little Plants brand plans to launch new products at Fresh Thyme in the coming months.

“We know that people are looking to add more plant-based options to their diets, and we’re glad to partner with Fresh Thyme to make it easier for people to find it in their stores,” Robbie Koons, brand manager for Happy Little Plants, said in a release.