NPEW 2018

Press Kit for Upton's Naturals

Press contact:
Shaina Ostroff
Reach Public Relations
424-835-4229
shaina@reach-pr.com

Upton’s Naturals Sets Trends in the Vegan Food Category

Self-Funded Company Innovates with Real Ingredients and First-to-Market Creative Products

Chicago, IL – Upton’s Naturals, an independently-owned natural foods company with a focus on meat alternatives, has been bringing innovation to the plant-based food industry for 12 years. Run by a passionate duo, founder Dan Staackmann and vice president Nicole Sopko, the company’s impressive number of “firsts” in the industry are only just the beginning for this powerhouse brand. The Upton’s Naturals team is on a mission to bring easy-to-prepare, vegan foods made with real, simple and recognizable ingredients to consumers worldwide.

Self-funded with no investors and setting the stage for others to follow, Upton’s Naturals:

Pioneered flavored, wheat-based seitan
Launched the first-to-market, seasoned and ready-to-eat jackfruit in North America and Europe
Introduced shelf-stable, pre-cooked vegan meal kits
Launched the first vegan, shelf-stable, pre-cooked mac & ch’eese

Within the last year, Upton’s Naturals added 14 products to its existing lineup of 11, including the vegan meal kits and Ch’eesy Mac mentioned above, along with two new Jackfruit flavors (Sriracha and Sweet & Smoky) and Jackfruit varieties for both Canada and Europe.

Part of the five billion dollar plant-based food industry with meat alternatives experiencing 15.9% growth in the natural channel, according to recent SPINS data, Upton’s Naturals is finding great success. They have outgrown the live/work space they built from the ground up back in 2013 and have plans to expand into a new production space in Chicago. The current location in West Town will continue to maintain a portion of their business, while the new plant, which is six times the size of their current one, will house all of the company’s seitan production, offices, warehousing, and emerging projects. To produce the Jackfruit and newest product launches, Upton’s Naturals teams with a network of family farms in Thailand and works with a partner for processing before shipping the finished product overseas.

In an industry where lab created meat makes headlines, Upton’s Naturals sticks to the basics, focusing more on cooking than on science. Said Staackmann, “We’re taking meat alternatives that have been around for thousands of years and updating them for today’s consumer and the mainstream palate.”

Added Sopko, “The response to making these classic vegan foods convenient and easily accessible has been amazing. Upton’s Naturals is proof that you don’t need someone else to fund your dream, you just have to work hard and bring lots of passion and drive to the table. We couldn’t be prouder of the business we’ve created.”

In addition to their work with Upton’s Naturals’ food retail business, Sopko and Staackmann also run Upton’s Breakroom, where the pair serves up vegan comfort food, tests new products, and stays connected to the local community. Sopko also runs two yoga studios in the Chicago area called Nature Yoga Sanctuary, with a vegan caf attached to the Oak Park location. Upton’s Naturals is also a founding board member of the new Plant Based Foods Association.

Visit UptonsNaturals.com for more information and find @UptonsNaturals on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Also visit @UptonsBreakroom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Upton’s Naturals Launches First Pre-Cooked Vegan Mac & Ch’eese

New Ch’eesy Mac & Ch’eesy Bacon Mac are Made with Clean Ingredients and Nut-Free Cheese

Chicago, IL – Upton’s Naturals is introducing Ch’eesy Mac, the first and only pre-cooked, vegan mac and cheese on the market. Offering a cleaner and plant-based take on this classic comfort food, the new lineup includes original Ch’eesy Mac and Ch’eesy Bacon Mac varieties. Packaged with ready-to-eat, large and ridged macaroni noodles and a prepared pouch of nutritional yeast based cheese, these 100% vegan products are also low in sugar and completely free of nuts, dairy, oil, trans fat, cholesterol, GMOs and artificial flavors. The Bacon Mac features the addition of deliciously smoky, extra crispy bacon seitan mixed in with the pasta.

“Vegan mac and cheese is one of our favorite foods, and it’s a mainstay on the menu at our Chicago cafe, Upton’s Breakroom,” shared Dan Staackmann, Upton’ Naturals’ founder. “With this launch, we set out to create a boxed version of our signature Ch’eesy Mac dish so that consumers everywhere can enjoy a delicious bowl of comforting vegan goodness on us.”

Easy to prepare by pan frying over medium heat or by warming in the microwave for 60 seconds, Upton’s Naturals’ Ch’eesy Mac are available at select Whole Foods Market locations, independent stores and natural food chains across the country for an SRP of $4.99 per 10.05oz box. The product is shelf stable and packaged in a retort pouch to maintain freshness.

About Upton’s Naturals
Upton’s Naturals is an independently-owned natural foods company with a focus on meat alternatives and vegan values. Dedicated to simplicity and the use of real, recognizable ingredients, the Upton’s team offers Seitan and Jackfruit lines, along with their new heat-and-serve Ch’eesy Mac and Meal Kits. In 2005, the company’s founder, Dan Staackmann, pioneered flavored, wheat-based seitan. Then, together with Nicole Sopko, Upton’s Naturals’ vice president and Dan’s girlfriend, the team launched the first-to-market, seasoned and ready-to-eat jackfruit in the United States, Canada and Europe. A portion of Upton’s Naturals’ products, including the Jackfruit, are produced in Thailand, while the Seitan and some other products are made in-house at a modern facility in Chicago. The 20-year vegan power couple also reside at the location and run a vegan factory caf from the space called Upton’s Breakroom. The company is also proud to be a founding board member of the new Plant Based Foods Association. Visit UptonsNaturals.com for more information and find @UptonsNaturals on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Also visit @UptonsBreakroom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Upton’s Naturals Introduces Shelf-Stable Vegan Meal Kits

Thai-Inspired Recipes Featuring Whole Foods and Clean Ingredients are Ready in One Minute

Chicago, IL – Upton’s Naturals, an innovator in the plant-based food industry, is introducing a new lineup of shelf-stable, vegan meal kits. Made with real, whole-food ingredients, this lineup of Thai-inspired dishes are ready after just one minute in the microwave. Pre-cooked noodles, fresh (never freeze-dried) vegetables, and flavorful spices can be found in the fully cooked and composed Massaman Curry, Pad See Ew, Thai Spaghetti, and Thai Curry Noodle meals. Each provide a convenient and inspiring lunch solution that is 100% vegan, low in calories, and free of trans fat, cholesterol, GMO’s and preservatives.

Shared Upton’s Naturals’ founder, Dan Staackmann, “The inspiration for our Meal Kits came during our travels to Thailand where we source and manufacture our pre-seasoned, ready-to-eat Jackfruit. We quickly fell in love with Thai cuisine while exploring the country and wanted to make it easy for anyone to enjoy the bold flavors of our favorite local dishes.”

Upton’s Naturals’ convenient, heat-and-serve Meal Kits include:

Pad See Ew: This classic Thai dish features rice noodles, carrots, Chinese kale, and tofu topped with sesame seeds.
Massaman Curry: Another Thai staple, this delicious curry recipe is made with potatoes, carrots, green beans, purple rice, and ground peanuts.
Thai Spaghetti: Strong green curry and tomato basil sauce make this meal a taste experience to write home about.
Thai Curry Noodle: An Upton’s take on the traditional Thai recipe Kaho Soi, this noodle dish is made with curry, seitan, winged beans, and crunchy fried onions.

Upton’s Naturals’ Meal Kits are available at select Whole Foods Market locations, independent stores and natural food chains across the country for an SRP of $4.99 each. The products are not dehydrated and packaged in a retort pouch to maintain freshness.

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Upton’s Naturals Gives Jackfruit a Spicy and Sweet Kick of Flavor

New Sweet & Smoky and Sriracha Flavors Join Pre-Seasoned, Heat-and-Serve Jackfruit Lineup

Chicago, IL – Upton’s Naturals, the company behind the first pre-seasoned, heat-and-serve jackfruit on the market, is introducing two new flavors to its lineup: Sweet & Smoky and Sriracha. For those embracing Jackfruit as a substitute to pulled pork, the Sweet & Smoky variety features a sweet flavor combined with a kick of liquid smoke. Juicy and flavorful, it’s a perfect fit for pulled pork sandwiches, salads, tacos or nachos. And for those wanting more spicy than sweet, the new Sriracha Jackfruit is ready to deliver. Made with chili peppers, garlic, sea salt, vinegar and tamarind, this Jackfruit flavor comes in slightly larger chunks, which are incredible battered and fried up as vegan “wings.”

Like Upton’s Naturals’ original Jackfruit products, these new varieties are made using only simple, recognizable ingredients. Ready to heat and eat, both offer a good source of fiber, are completely free of cholesterol, gluten, oil, GMO’s, and artificial flavors, and 100% vegan.

“The response to our pre-seasoned Jackfruit launch has been so positive, we’re getting creative with our flavor offerings and embracing just how versatile this fruit is as a whole-food meat alternative,” said Upton’s Naturals’ founder, Dan Staackmann. “Whether you’re wanting to create a vegan pulled pork or hot and spicy wing recipe, we’ve got you covered and have made it super simple to prepare.”

Upton’s Naturals’ new Jackfruit varieties join the Bar-B-Que, Chili Lime Carnitas, Thai Curry and Original flavors in the refrigerated section at natural and specialty stores nationwide. Shelf stable and packaged in a retort pouch to maintain freshness, the SRP is $4.99 per 10.6oz box. Upton’s Naturals’ Jackfruit products are also available for foodservice customers.

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Upton’s Naturals Introduces New Ready-to-Eat Jackfruit Flavors

Thai Curry and Original Varieties Join Pre-Seasoned, Heat & Serve, Plant-Based Meat Alternative Lineup

Chicago, IL – Upton’s Naturals, the first company to bring pre-seasoned, heat-and-serve, unripe natural jackfruit to the U.S. market, is expanding its lineup to include two new flavors: Thai Curry and Original.
Blending creamy coconut milk with fragrant lemongrass and earthy cumin, Upton’s Naturals’ Thai Curry Jackfruit brings Southeast Asian taste to a meat-free shredded chicken. For those looking to add their own flavor profiles to plant-based recipes, Upton’s Naturals’ Original Jackfruit contains only pure jackfruit, making it easy for at-home cooks to get creative with this incredible fruit. Like all of Upton’s Naturals’ Jackfruit products, these new varieties offer a good source of fiber, are completely free of cholesterol, gluten, soy, oil, GMO’s, and artificial flavors, and 100% vegan

“By bringing these exotic and classic Jackfruit flavors to the natural food market, we hope to show people that not only do delicious, real-food meat replacements exist; they can open the door to new and exciting recipe ideas,” shared Upton’s Naturals’ founder, Dan Staackmann. “The bold Thai Curry flavor was inspired by our trips to Thailand where we source the jackfruit from a network of family farms, while the Original Jackfruit was designed to serve as an alternative to fresh, unripe jackfruit, which is extremely difficult to find and prepare. We’re excited to share these launches with vegans and non-vegans alike!”

The Thai Curry and Original Jackfruit varieties join Upton’s Naturals’ Bar-B-Que and Chili Lime Carnitas Jackfruit, along with a lineup of flavored Seitan, including a new Classic Burger. Upton’s Naturals’ Jackfruit can be found in the refrigerated section at natural and specialty stores nationwide for an SRP of $4.99 per 10.6oz box and is also available for foodservice customers. The product is shelf stable and packaged in a retort pouch to maintain freshness.

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Upton’s Introduces 100% Vegan Classic Burger

New Seitan Burger Features Bold Flavors, Meat-Like Texture, and a Good Source of Protein

Chicago, IL – Upton’s Naturals, a pioneer of flavored seitan, is introducing a Classic Burger to its popular lineup. Crafted to have an impressive meat-like texture, this new, wheat-based Burger is perfectly seasoned to mimic the all-American patty. Full-flavored spices like natural hickory smoke, black pepper, sea salt, garlic, paprika, oregano, marjoram and apple cider vinegar marinate a balanced combination of vital wheat gluten, eggplant and tofu.

Made with a clean ingredient list, Upton’s Naturals’ Classic Burger is completely free of artificial ingredients, “natural” flavors, oils and GMOs. Touting a whopping 22g of protein and only 5g of fat per serving, the Burger is also completely free of trans fat and cholesterol, low in sugar and carbs, and OU Kosher Pareve. The product is easy to prepare on a pan or grill and ready to enjoy after heating it for two to four minutes on each side.

Upton’s Naturals’ founder Dan Staackmann shared, “As the meat-alternative industry becomes more science-driven and high-tech, we are committed to providing real-food, plant-based options to consumers across the country. In our new Burger – and all of our products – we use simple and recognizable ingredients that have been around for centuries and season them for the Western palate. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, we’re cooking up delicious food with what nature has to offer.”

The Classic Burger joins Upton’s Naturals’ lineup of Traditional, Chorizo, Italian, Bacon, Ground and Chick Seitan, along with new pre-seasoned, heat-and-serve Jackfruit. Upton’s Naturals’ Classic Burger can be found in the refrigerated section at natural and specialty stores nationwide for an SRP of $3.99 per 6.4oz box and is also available for foodservice customers. The product has a shelf life of 84 days.

About Upton’s Naturals
Upton’s Naturals is an independently-owned natural foods company with a focus on meat alternatives and vegan values. Dedicated to simplicity and the use of real, recognizable ingredients, the Upton’s team takes food that has been around for thousands of years and seasons it for the Western palate. The company’s founder Dan Staackmann pioneered flavored, wheat-based seitan. Together with Nicole Sopko, Upton’s Naturals’ vice president and Dan’s girlfriend, the team is now launching the first-to-market, seasoned and ready-to-eat jackfruit in the United States. Upton’s Naturals’ Jackfruit products are produced in Thailand and the Seitan products are made in-house at a modern facility in Chicago. The 20-year vegan power couple also reside at the location and run a factory caf called Upton’s Breakroom where the public can try the team’s recipes. The company is proud to be a founding board member of the new Plant Based Foods Association. Visit UptonsNaturals.com for more information and find @UptonsNaturals on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Also visit @UptonsBreakroom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Upton’s Naturals Pioneers the Jackfruit Food Craze

Vegan Food Company Brings Unripe, Pre-Seasoned, Heat & Serve Jackfruit to the U.S. Market

Chicago, IL – Upton’s Naturals, an independently-owned, ethical vegan company, is paving the way in a new category of meat alternatives with its introduction of ready-to-eat, natural Jackfruit. Native to Southeast Asia, jackfruit is the world's largest tree fruit. Beneath its incredibly large and spiky exterior is a mild-flavored, nutrient-dense, plant-based meat substitute. When cooked up young (a.k.a. not ripe) and seasoned right, this tropical fruit has the texture and taste of perfect pulled pork or shredded chicken.

Upton’s Naturals is the first company to make pre-seasoned, heat-and-serve, natural jackfruit nationally available to the U.S. market. Using only simple, recognizable ingredients, Upton’s Naturals’ Jackfruit offers a good source of fiber, is completely free of cholesterol, gluten, soy, oil, GMO’s, and artificial flavors, and 100% vegan. The lineup includes Bar-B-Que and Chili Lime Carnitas, along with new-to-market Thai Curry and an Original variety.

The decision to create a jackfruit product happened when Upton’s Naturals’ founder Dan Staackmann and his girlfriend (also Upton’s Naturals’ vice president) Nicole Sopko were eating at a Nepalese restaurant. They ordered a delicious meal made from jackfruit and thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if the process to cook this at home were easier?” Knowing that fresh, unripe jackfruit was hard to come by and that the closest thing to convenience in the category was unseasoned jackfruit in a can, the 20-year vegan power couple set on a mission to bring pre-seasoned, ready-to-eat jackfruit to the U.S.

Once picked, the fruit has a shelf life of only a day or two, so Upton's found a partner in Thailand to do all of its processing before shipping the finished product overseas. The company teams with a network of family farms that have been growing cultivated jackfruit for many years. Dan inspired the group to sell him unripe jackfruit in addition to the ripe fruit they were used to selling. This created extra demand for the farmers, who prior to the arrangement often had unused crops, and resulted in a mutually beneficial relationship for both.

“Doing what we believe in is the best part of this business, and to us, success is creating 100% vegan products that can inspire meat-free meals,” shared Staackmann. “Unripe jackfruit is the source of an incredibly versatile and healthful meat alternative that is relatively foreign to the American market. We set out to make jackfruit easier to enjoy and more accessible to the everyday consumer. The response from vegans and non-vegans alike has been amazing.”

Primed to change the landscape of vegan packaged goods, Upton’s Naturals’ Jackfruit can be found in the refrigerated section at natural and specialty stores nationwide for an SRP of $4.99 per 10.6oz box and is also available for foodservice customers. The product is shelf stable and packaged in a retort pouch to maintain freshness.

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