The Simple Root, a new global plant-based brand backed by venture management firm Pilot Lite and the multinational McCain Foods company, will launch a vegetable-forward line of dips, cream cheese-style spreads, and artisan cheese-style spreads in the U.S. this fall.
 
Unlike other plant-based foods that rely on soy, nuts, and highly processed ingredients, The Simple Root products are vegetable-laden, wholesome, and simply made. Using an innovative process, the company creates a creamy base from root vegetables — including potatoes, sweet potatoes, and parsnips — and then blends in a handful of other ingredients, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices to make the dips and spreads.  

The refrigerated products are not made with dairy, nuts, soy, gluten, wheat, eggs, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Vegetable-first plant-based foods have a lower environmental impact than products made with dairy, soy, or nuts. Producing vegetables uses significantly less water and has lower gas emissions compared to the production of dairy, soy, or nuts.  

“Vegetables are our first and most important ingredient. The Simple Root brand is about giving consumers a way to add more veggies to their diet with versatile, convenient, and great-tasting foods,” said David Behringer, global CEO of The Simple Root.

Behringer, an award-winning R&D and venture leader with a 25-year track record in food and beverage innovation for large corporates and startups, leads a global team of professionals experienced in the development and marketing of major food brands at The Simple Root.
 
The Simple Root products available this fall include dips, artisan cheese-style spreads, cream cheese-style spreads. The Simple Root brand will be placed in the refrigerated section of major and specialty retailers beginning in the Northeast. 

The Simple Root brand launched plant-based sauces earlier this year in the United Kingdom. In 2023, the global brand will expand its range to include refrigerated plant-based cheeses, sauces, and desserts in the U.S. and refrigerated plant-based dips, cream cheese- and artisan cheese-style spreads, cheeses, and desserts in the UK. 

About The Simple Root 
The Simple Root is a global plant-based food brand backed by Pilot Lite and McCain Foods. The company uses an innovative process to craft versatile and delicious veggie-packed snacks and foods. The Simple Root plant-based products are a creamy blend of wholesome vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices. They are not made with dairy, nuts, soy, eggs, gluten, wheat, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. 

About McCain Foods 
McCain Foods is the world's largest manufacturer of frozen potato products and supplies French fries, potato specialties, appetizers and desserts to retail and foodservice customers around the globe. McCain is the international leader in the frozen food industry, employing over 21,000 people and operating 52 production facilities on six continents. McCain Foods USA Inc., headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, employs 4,000 people and operates production facilities in Idaho, Maine, Nebraska, Washington and Wisconsin.