Morningstar Farms (stylized as MorningStar Farms) is a division of Kellanova that produces vegan and vegetarian food.[1] Many of their offerings are plant-based variations of traditionally meat products.[2] Their products include meatless chicken nuggets, popcorn chicken, corn dogs, breakfast sausage, burgers, hot dogs, bacon, and pizza rolls with vegan cheese. Originally, Morningstar offered some, but not all vegan products. In 2019, Morningstar Farms announced all products would be vegan by 2021,[3] but had not yet done so as of May 2024.[4]
History
Morningstar Farms was introduced by Worthington Foods (originally part of Miles Laboratories).[5] The frozen food line of soy-based meatless meats was introduced into supermarkets and grocery stores in the U.S. in 1975. It was widely advertised and introduced Americans to the use of soy as a base for meat analogs.[6] Kellogg's purchased Worthington Foods from Bayer AG's North American division for $307 million in October 1999, at which point it acquired the Morningstar Farms brand.[7] Kellogg sold Worthington in 2014 but retained the Morningstar line of products.[8] In 2021, Kellogg's announced it would spend $43 million to expand their Zanesville, Ohio, Morningstar Farms manufacturing plant.[9]
See also
- List of meat substitutes
- List of vegetarian and vegan companies
External links
References
- April Terreri. Morningstar Farms Puts New Perspective on Vegetarian Foods Frozen Food Age, 2006-05-01^
- Morningstar Farms Responds to Pleas for Egg-Free Foods United Poultry Concerns, January 11, 2008^
- Melissa Locker. Morningstar Farms is going full vegan soon and it can't wait to tell everyone Fast Company, 4 March 2019^
- MorningStar Farms FAQ^
- Worthington Foods (1939 - ): Work With Soyfoods Soyinfo Center, retrieved 25 June 2024^
- William Shurtleff. Worthington Foods (1939 - ): Work With Soyfoods SoyInfo Center, 2004, retrieved 2018-01-31^
- Kellogg Agrees to Buy Veggie-Burger Maker Los Angeles Times, 1999-10-02, retrieved 2018-01-31^
- Alita Byrd. Kellogg Sells Worthington and Loma Linda Brands Spectrum, 2014-10-09, retrieved 2018-05-18^
- Dave Fusaro. Kellogg Co. To Spend $43 Million on Zanesville Plant Food Processing, 2021-08-30, retrieved 2021-09-12^