Local Food Group Launches Plant-Based Menu Option for Schools, Food Distributors

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 1:49 PM

One of the products was recently sampled by students at South Dearborn Middle School.

Photo provided.

(Harrison, Oh.) – A local food group has launched a new plant-based menu option for food service operations and distributors across the country.

J.T.M. Food Group has launched PlantBorn, a new collection of plant-based protein menu options for schools, colleges, universities, and food distributors.

The initial product line includes a taco filling and a pasta sauce.

J.T.M recently sampled the PlantBorn taco filling with 200 students at South Dearborn Middle School. The taco filling was featured on a build-your-own burrito bowl line alongside fresh toppings like salsa and lettuce.

The students did not know the taco filling was plant-based until after they had finished lunch and completed a survey. Of the 200 students, 90 percent who at the taco filling replied, “yes they liked the taste”, and 96 percent said they would eat it again.

“More than 60 percent of U.S. households are now buying plant-based food protein products, and there is a major push across the country for schools to add more plant-based options to their menus” said Amy McAdams, Senior Director of Marketing for J.T.M. Food Group. “We took two of the most popular beef products we produce (beef taco filling and beef spaghetti sauce) and worked with our research and development team to find the right alternative protein to complement those recipes and that would work well in our kettle-cooking operation. The goal was to develop a clean-label, great tasting, turnkey product line that our customers could easily implement into their operations. So far, the reviews for PlantBorn™ have been very positive, and we’re excited to bring these innovative, new menu options to foodservice operators across the country.”

Both of the PlantBorn products are vegan, allergen free and gluten free.

For samples or to learn more, visit www.jtmfoodgroup.com/uploadIMG/rfUploads/PDFS/PlantBornIntroBrochure.pdf.