Daiya Foods Brings Variety to Plant-Based Dairy-Free Products

In 2021, the multi-billion dollar plant-based foods industry saw 9 billion units sold. It's evident that there is a loyal-consumer base and curiosity from shoppers to try plant-based foods for the first time. Product innovation can elevate these sales and younger consumers have shown a vested interest in the environmental and medical benefits of this category.

Daiya Foods, IGA's newest Red Oval partner, has plant-based covered, allowing shoppers to explore dairy-free, allergen-free foods and ingredients that keep them coming back for more, from its shredded cheeze to cheezecake.

IGA spoke to Debra Mackey, Daiya's eastern natural sales manager, to learn more about the dairy-free, plant-based category and its audience, how to drive category sales, and how to best engage interested shoppers.

What differentiates Daiya from your competitors?

Daiya has three guiding principles:

1. Premium Products: Daiya is always looking for ways to improve taste and texture as well as nutrition to make plant-based as close to dairy cheese as possible
2. Socially Conscious: Sustainability, the environment, and animal welfare are top-of-mind as we develop and renovate products
3. Medical Advocacy: We have a team committed to building awareness around the importance of plant-based products for food allergies, sensitivities, as well as medical diagnoses, like diabetes, Celiac disease, kidney disease, etc.

How can independent retailers drive sales to the brand?

By bringing awareness to the category's health benefits, retailers can drive sales. For example, make shoppers aware that you offer dairy-free products during Earth month or while promoting non-GMO products, diabetic-friendly meals/ingredients, etc.

Daiya Foods offers an extensive plant-based portfolio

Who is the Daiya shopper?

Millennials and Gen Z, which together comprise 47% of the population and will continue to grow in their spending power, demonstrate particularly high demand for plant-based foods like Daiya. And with plant-based foods a $7 billion+ market in the U.S., it's important to cater to those shoppers. 

What shopper trends are you seeing in the plant-based category?

The total plant-based food sales and patterns for 2021 measure at:

•  9 billion in unit sales
• 62% household penetration
• 79% repeat purchase

Plant-based cheese is one of the fastest growing sub-categories, currently representing 1.5% of the $19 billion U.S. cheese market. Significant Year Over Year (YoY) growth transformed this subcategory from niche to mainstream.

How are you addressing supply chain and inflation issues while ensuring independents are getting their fair share compared to larger chains?

In regards to the supply chain, we are currently working with the distributors to consolidate loads and send out fuller trucks to warehouses.

Forecasting is key to ensuring everyone gets their fair share. We work with the distributors to adjust the needs of the account. Daiya is currently at a 95% fill rate to the distributor, with some issues with co-pack or slower moving items.

Do you have any best practices or resources you can share with our retailers to drive sales of your products?

Education, Education, Education. Understanding who shops plant-based, whether it is a Gen Z or someone with a medical diet, education is key. We plan to work with the IGA team to develop recipes and cooking segments for shoppers, and even offer Q&As with our medical team.

How can our independent retailers engage with Daiya and best let shoppers know they carry your products?

To start, retailers can ensure they stock Daiya Foods’ top sellers:

• Cheese: Shredded Cheddar, Mozzarella, Mexican Blend, Slices American & Cheddar
• Pizza: Top 3 flavors, Cheese, Supreme & Roasted Vegetable. Other varieties available include Veggie Crust, Garlic & Herb Crust and Flatbreads.
• Mac & Cheese: Cheddar, White Cheddar & Jalapeño

Then stay tuned to your inbox and The IGA Minute for more resources, like those recipes and cooking segments, National Digital Ad offers, and more.