Gardein facts for kids
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| Founded | 2003 |
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| Founder | Yves Potvin |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Animal meat-free foods |
| Owner | Conagra Brands Pinnacle Foods |
Gardein is a popular brand of plant-based foods that taste like meat. The name "Gardein" is a mix of the words garden and protein. All of Gardein's products are vegan, which means they are made without any ingredients from animals.
The company was started in 2003 by a chef named Yves Potvin. In 2014, a company called Pinnacle Foods bought Gardein. Later, in 2018, Gardein became part of Conagra Brands, a large food company. Gardein makes its products in factories in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and Hagerstown, Maryland, in the United States.
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Contents
How Gardein Got Started
The company, originally called Garden Protein International, was founded by Yves Potvin in 2003. For the first few years, Gardein sold its products to other food companies. In 2009, it started selling its own frozen foods directly to customers in grocery stores.
The company grew quickly. By 2015, Gardein had over 250 employees. Its products were sold in more than 22,000 stores across North America. The brand also became available in the United Kingdom in 2008.
Gardein in the Spotlight
Gardein products have been featured several times on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Chef Tal Ronnen, who worked with Gardein, showed how to cook with their plant-based foods on the show.
In 2013, Gardein also worked with the city of Los Angeles to promote Meatless Monday, a movement that encourages people to eat plant-based meals at the start of the week.
Where to Find Gardein Products
While you can buy Gardein's frozen foods in many grocery stores, you can also find them on the menu at several popular restaurants.
- Veggie Grill: This restaurant chain uses Gardein products for many of its plant-based meat dishes.
- Johnny Rockets: In 2017, this hamburger chain added a Gardein black bean burger to its menu.
- BurgerFuel: This burger chain, which started in New Zealand, began offering Gardein's chicken-style patties in 2019.
- Yard House: Since 2011, this restaurant has included several different Gardein items on its menu.
Awards and Recognition
Gardein has won many awards for its tasty and creative products.
In 2007, the animal rights group PETA named Gardein its Company of the Year. The brand has also won awards from magazines like Vegetarian Times, Shape, and Better Homes and Gardens.
Many of its specific products, like the Fishless Fillets and Crispy Tenders, have been recognized as some of the best new foods available. These awards show that many people enjoy Gardein's mission to make delicious meat-free meals.
Environmental Issue
In 2018, Gardein had to pay a fine of $285,000. This was because, in 2016, vegetable oil from its factory in Richmond, British Columbia, was dumped into a ditch that flowed into the nearby Fraser River. The company was ordered to make changes at its factory to make sure a spill like that would not happen again.
See also
In Spanish: Gardein para niños
