The second site would run alongside Gosh! Food’s existing facility. The company revealed the facility would not only allow it to meet the current demand for plant-based food, but would also enable the brand to expand its offering and move into new categories.
Research from Mintel suggests more Brits were attracted to a vegan diet during the pandemic including a quarter (25%) of young British Millennials (aged 21-30).
Gosh! Food said that, like the current site, its second facility would be exclusively ‘free-from’ allergens. It is expected to create up to 25 new manufacturing jobs in the local area.
Gosh! Food CEO Jane Rayner said: “We believe strongly that food should be as natural as possible and have a brand that prides itself on offering high-quality, great-tasting and perfectly natural products.
Growth in demand
“With 45% of grocery shoppers either following or considering a plant-based diet, demand for plant-based products has grown significantly. We look forward to being able to continue to grow our capacity to meet demand and support retailers in improving the way we eat.
“We’re also excited about the opportunities that expanding to a second site presents in creating new jobs in an exceptionally difficult economic time.”
New appointment
As part of these expansion plans, the company has employed Jahangir Khan as its first senior category manager.
Khan is tasked with defining a category strategy for the business and supporting retailers in growing their meat-free categories.
Khan was formerly innovation and category controller at ready meals provider Charlie Bigham’s and has also worked as innovation marketing manager at Kerry Foods
He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role and I am looking forward to supporting the business in its ambitious growth strategy. In a market that is ever-growing, there is huge scope for an innovative brand like Gosh! to develop its relationships with retailers, to help bring new shoppers into the category.”
The move follows a financial year in which Gosh! Food’s pre-tax profits rose by 15.5% to £4.1m and signals the plant-based business’ intention to further grow within the market.
In May, it was revealed that the global plant-based meat alternatives marketwas expected to hit US$3.6bn in value this year.
Plant-Based Manufacturing Company of the Year is a new category in the 2021 Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, which is celebrating their 20th year and have now opened for entries. The closing date is 14 September. The awards aim to celebrate and reward excellence in food processing during the toughest year the industry has experienced
