Applegate's New Blend Burgers Are Targeted Toward 'Conscious Carnivores' Who Want to Eat More Plants The new burgers are a mix of either beef or turkey and mushrooms.

By Stephen J. Bronner

Courtesy of Applegate

Meat or plant-based burger, or something in between?

Applegate, a producer of organic hot dogs, sausages, deli meats, cheese and other products, this month introduced The Great Organic Blend Burger, which is made with either beef or turkey, and mixed with white button mushrooms sourced from a family farm in Pennsylvania. The only other ingredient is rosemary extract. It's the first Applegate product to incorporate plants and is available nationwide at retailers including Kroger, HyVee, Sprouts and HEB.

John Ghingo, president of Applegate Farms, said the product is for those who eat meat but want to cut down on their consumption of it.

"There are more and more consumers who are looking to incorporate more plants and vegetables into their diets," he told Entrepreneur. "It's a solution that works well for those consumers without a big compromise on taste. It's a big step forward for us in continuing to look for smarter ways to make food from animal and plants."

Related: Tuna Is the Next Food to Get the Plant-Based Alternative Treatment

Rates of vegetarianism and veganism remain low. Gallup reported that just 5 percent identify as vegetarian and 3 percent as vegan. But interest in plant-based foods is growing. Sales of plant-based meats saw a 24 percent increase from 2017 to 2018, compared to the previous period, and topped $670 million in sales, according to Plant Based Foods Association.

So a Blend Burger makes sense, especially to, as Ghingo put it, to "conscious carnivores," or "people who are still eating meat but are thinking about their choices."

Applegate is not the only company to launch a blend burger. Teton Waters Ranch, a 10-year-old producer of grass-fed beef products (available in 3,000 stores nationwide), also introduced a grass-fed beef burger mixed with mushrooms this month.

"As the demand for more plant-based alternatives grows, Teton Waters Ranch wanted to provide a convenient solution," said Mike Murray, CEO of Teton Waters Ranch. "The burger blend is for the eco-conscious consumer who really cares about where their food comes from and how the animal is treated."

Stephen J. Bronner

Entrepreneur Staff

News Director

Stephen J. Bronner writes mostly about packaged foods. His weekly column is The Digest. He is very much on top of his email.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Leadership

Lead From the Top: 5 Core Responsibilities of a CEO

Knowing exactly what the chief executive's role entails is critical for steering a company to success.

Business News

What's Open on Easter Sunday? Costco and Target Will Close, But One Major Retailer Will Be Open. Here's What To Know.

The stock market was closed for Good Friday on April 18. Here's what's closed for Easter Sunday, April 20.

Side Hustle

This Couple Started a Side Hustle to Improve a 'Terribly Made' Bathroom Essential. Now the Business Earns More Than $3 Million a Year.

Michael Fine and Lisa Schulner-Fine launched lifestyle brand Quiet Town in 2016 and have been growing it ever since.

Living

The 3 Lifestyle Habits That Made Me Sharper, Stronger and More Successful

These three simple yet powerful lifestyle changes transformed my productivity, energy and mindset. Here's how you can do the same.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business Solutions

You and Your Kids Can Develop Future-Proof Tech Skills for Only $56

Develop future-proof tech skills even if you have no previous tech experience, such as data storytelling, Python, ChatGTP, Internet of Things and more.