In a new plant-powered partnership, Australia’s largest supermarket, Woolworths will now stock vegan cheese products by Sheese.
Beginning next week, Sheese’s range of cheesy slices, shreds, and blocks will become available at Woolworths nationwide. According to the company, “[t]his Aussie expansion comes in the wake of an amazing few years for Sheese, that kicked off in earnest with the now world-famous launch of “Gary” in Sainsbury’s UK.”
“Just like the UK, plant-based is booming down under, and 2018 looks likely to set new records, as more and more people awaken to the benefits of plant-based products,” Sheese’s director Mark Crichton said in a blog post on the company’s website. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see Sheese becoming a well-loved brand around the world, bringing our long-standing vision to life and giving people an alternative to dairy that they love”.
Sheese products don’t only have a stake in the vegan marketplace; they are also popular with customers who have dietary restrictions, allergies or intolerances. All Sheese products are free from dairy, lactose, gluten, palm oil, hydrogenated fat, and artificial and GMO ingredients. Additionally, everything is made in a dedicated ‘free-from’ factory, to avoid cross-contamination for health and ethical reasons.
These cheeses are so popular, the products collectively have 15 awards and nominations. Bute Island Foods, the company of which Sheese operates under, stated that consumers can “rest assured as no animals have suffered to satisfy your taste buds”.
Woolworths is the first supermarket chain giant in Australia to stock Sheese products, which have been distributed by other small businesses and eateries previously. The continent’s next door neighbour, New Zealand, is no stranger to Sheese either – however, Kiwi shoppers are still waiting for a major supermarket to begin offering Sheese’s dairy alternative products.
Australia has been making headlines recently for increasing vegan-friendliness. Tofurky just arrived in Woolworths and the country’s first ever vegan hotel is set to open next month. Vegan Halo Top ice cream even launched earlier this year.
Image Credit: Bute Island Foods
