Major plant-based food supplier for supermarkets ceases operations

Supermarkets are the go-to places for grocery shopping, as it offers various options for different palates.

In a recent development, a major supplier of plant-based and meat-free products to supermarket giants has gone into liquidation.

This sudden collapse raised concerns about potential shortages of these products on supermarket shelves.


Fenn Foods prided itself on being the first certified carbon-neutral, plant-based food producer in Australia.

However, the Queensland-based company ceased operations on 9 October.

The company, launched in 2015 by Michelin-starred chef Alejandro Cancino and his wife, had 32 staff members.


compressed-fenn foods veef.jpeg
Fenn Foods brought in plant-based meat products like Veef in the Australian market. Image Credit: Fenn Foods


Known for producing products like Veef and Lovebuds, Fenn Foods merged with All G Foods' plant-based division earlier last year.

Fenn Foods saw a downturn in sales and struggled to attract investment in recent years, indicating the broader challenges faced by plant-based food manufacturers.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, as lockdowns impacted wholesale and retail sales.


Fort Restructuring's Ken Whittingham and Mark Robinson managed to secure a buyer for Fenn Foods' assets in a swift transaction.

Gold Coast-based Smart Foods agreed to purchase Fenn Foods' plant, equipment, stock, brand names, registered IPs, and other related intellectual property.

The deal, completed within seven days of the liquidators' appointment, could also mean that up to half of staff members could get new roles, preventing layoffs.

Smart Foods's acquisition was seen as a crucial step in preventing a disruption in the supply of plant-based products to consumers.

Smart Foods CEO Raghu Reddy expressed his confidence in the foundation and team of Fenn Foods.

'While the company has faced recent challenges, I believe in its strong foundation and the dedication of its team,' Mr Reddy shared in a statement.


The fall of Fenn Foods is not an isolated incident in the Australian food supply landscape.

A few weeks ago, specialty food brand The Essential Ingredient ceased operations after almost 40 years of service.

The company cited economic challenges and the inability to return to pre-COVID profitability for its closure.

South Australian dairy company Beston Global Food Company also went under due to high operating costs, which affected about 160 employees.

For those who rely on consistent and reliable access to groceries, this news may be concerning.

Stay informed about the availability of your preferred products and be prepared for potential changes in selection or pricing.
Key Takeaways

  • Fenn Foods, a major plant-based food supplier to Woolworths and Coles, has gone into liquidation.
  • The Queensland-based company was a pioneer in plant-based and meat-free products but faced declining sales and a lack of investment.
  • Smart Foods bought the company's major assets, including brand names, stock, and intellectual property. They also saved almost half of the former company's staff.
  • Other food suppliers also faced similar challenges this year, as The Essential Ingredient and Beston Global Food Company also ceased operations last month.
Are you affected by Fenn Foods' closure? Please share your thoughts and food-related concerns in the comments section below.
 
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Hasn't even got anything nice in the ingredients🙄

Plant Based Chicken: Water, Vegetable Protein (Soy, Pea, Wheat) (20%), Vegetable Oil, Thickeners (Methylcellulose, Potato Starch), Natural Flavour, Yeast Extract, Cocoa Butter, Mineral (Iron), Vitamin (B12), Sea Salt, Spices. Coating: Breadcrumbs (Wheat Flour, Salt, Sugar, Yeast), Water, Garlic.

CONTAINS SOY, GLUTEN (WHEAT).

FREE FROM: Palm Oil, GMO, MSG, Onion, Preservatives.
 
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Hasn't even got anything nice in the ingredients🙄

Plant Based Chicken: Water, Vegetable Protein (Soy, Pea, Wheat) (20%), Vegetable Oil, Thickeners (Methylcellulose, Potato Starch), Natural Flavour, Yeast Extract, Cocoa Butter, Mineral (Iron), Vitamin (B12), Sea Salt, Spices. Coating: Breadcrumbs (Wheat Flour, Salt, Sugar, Yeast), Water, Garlic.

CONTAINS SOY, GLUTEN (WHEAT).

FREE FROM: Palm Oil, GMO, MSG, Onion, Preservatives.
I agree. It contains ingredients that aren't in our pantry, so chemical names.
 
Yes, the world has gone crazy. The latest ad for cervical cancer testing states " all women and those with a cervix can be tested for cervical cancer" I must be out of touch as I thought only women had a cervix.
There are some people who don’t identify with “male” or “female”. They are non-binary. They still retain the reproductive system they were born with.

That is why all women and those with a cervix can be tested for cervical cancer.

In really simple terms, a non-binary person is someone who does not identify as exclusively a man or a woman. Someone who is non-binary might feel like a mix of genders, or like they have no gender at all.

I don’t understand it, but it explains how “they” can have a male or female body but don’t identify as a man or woman.
 
Major plant base closes ... I've never heard of them.

Have you ever tasted plant bas foods..horrible.

I've never understood why they say plant base chicken nuggets ect. It Is vegetarians who mainly eat these so why even refer to it as chicken ect
Some people eat them because of Genuine Allergies. I know a lady who can only non-dairy foods as she is anaephelexic to dairy.....also to all meat except poultry and some fish. 2 Epi-pens and possibly an ambulance trip to hospital, often admission. Cross-contamination at all = same outcome.
 
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Hasn't even got anything nice in the ingredients🙄

Plant Based Chicken: Water, Vegetable Protein (Soy, Pea, Wheat) (20%), Vegetable Oil, Thickeners (Methylcellulose, Potato Starch), Natural Flavour, Yeast Extract, Cocoa Butter, Mineral (Iron), Vitamin (B12), Sea Salt, Spices. Coating: Breadcrumbs (Wheat Flour, Salt, Sugar, Yeast), Water, Garlic.

CONTAINS SOY, GLUTEN (WHEAT).

FREE FROM: Palm Oil, GMO, MSG, Onion, Preservatives.
Oh YUK I will stick to good old meat and 3 veg thanks !
 
we should eat meat, we don't have the gut length to process large amounts of plants. They also have chemicals in them that our bodies don't like. Feed the man meat used to be the go to phrase, now should be feed everyone meat. It's good for you and creates less waste and land issues. Grazing cattle and such is much better than digging up the soil and planting crops and spraying for everything. Kills too many insects, bird and small animals

Red Meat

After you've recovered from a diverticulitis attack, you may want to avoid red meat, including beef, pork, lamb, and venison. Red meat is linked to an increased risk for diverticulitis
Studies show red meat alters the balance of microorganisms in the cecum—a pouch in the digestive tract where the small and large intestines meet. Researchers suspect this may trigger inflammation associated with diverticulitis


My Gastroenterologist has just told me, no red meat and increase my fiber intake and water.
I already don't eat red meat as I find it hard to digest. I have chronic diverticulitis.
 
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Red Meat

After you've recovered from a diverticulitis attack, you may want to avoid red meat, including beef, pork, lamb, and venison. Red meat is linked to an increased risk for diverticulitis
Studies show red meat alters the balance of microorganisms in the cecum—a pouch in the digestive tract where the small and large intestines meet. Researchers suspect this may trigger inflammation associated with diverticulitis


My Gastroenterologist has just told me, no red meat and increase my fiber intake and water.
I already don't eat red meat as I find it hard to digest. I have chronic diverticulitis.
I’m certain your gastroenterologist would know a damned sight more than those who think they know all about gut health because of what they’ve read online from doctors who only theorise about gastrointestinal health.

I’m pleased to know you take notice of your specialist. Anyone who states we must eat meat and limit our fruit and veg is totally disillusioned and spreading damaging “information”.

@Lizzie1149 has posted in SDC on numerous occasions her views on very unhealthy eating practices. Ok for her, but is not in a position to pass on her ill advised practices to others.

I wish you good health @Clancieblue. 🌻
 
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This is why I wont pay to join SDC.
This news is alreadty 2 days old, so you'd expect SDC "journalist" to have the easy job and get it right. They didn't.
The official report stated that a major cause of the collapse was a Decline in Sales. It was NOT a popular supermarket item...people were not buying it. So they went under.
Not good when you just rehash old news but then get your attention grabbers wrong.
Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed, Carl?
 
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Red Meat

After you've recovered from a diverticulitis attack, you may want to avoid red meat, including beef, pork, lamb, and venison. Red meat is linked to an increased risk for diverticulitis
Studies show red meat alters the balance of microorganisms in the cecum—a pouch in the digestive tract where the small and large intestines meet. Researchers suspect this may trigger inflammation associated with diverticulitis


My Gastroenterologist has just told me, no red meat and increase my fiber intake and water.
I already don't eat red meat as I find it hard to digest. I have chronic diverticulitis.
I think many people suffer from chronic diverticulitis. Or diverticular disease. Red meat has nothing to do with it.
 
I’m certain your gastroenterologist would know a damned sight more than those who think they know all about gut health because of what they’ve read online from doctors who only theorise about gastrointestinal health.

I’m pleased to know you take notice of your specialist. Anyone who states we must eat meat and limit our fruit and veg is totally disillusioned and spreading damaging “information”.

@Lizzie1149 has posted in SDC on numerous occasions her views on very unhealthy eating practices. Ok for her, but is not in a position to pass on her ill advised practices to others.

I wish you good health @Clancieblue. 🌻
Thankyou DLHM , many people have opinions and I suppose you do want you think right for yourself.
I believe the specialist might have a better knowledge than me ,so that's why I follow his advice.
Very best to you ,I enjoy your common sense comments.💐
 
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