No Evil Foods

No Evil Foods was established in 2014 by co-founders Sadrah Schadel and Mike Woliansky in Weaverville, North Carolina. The couple's journey began with a desire for self-sufficiency and a deeper understanding of their food's origins, which led them to adopt a vegan lifestyle. Schadel, raised as a vegetarian with a background in restaurant management, and Woliansky, who was involved in the punk-rock music scene, started by selling their plant-based meat alternatives at local farmers' markets. Their initial offerings were developed in their home kitchen with a focus on simple, recognizable ingredients.

The company produces plant-based meat substitutes, positioning its products as artisan 'Plant Meat' made from simple, sustainable ingredients, moving away from laboratory-created alternatives. The product line includes alternatives for chicken, Italian sausage, chorizo, and pulled pork, with names like "Comrade Cluck," "The Stallion," and "El Zapatista." These products are crafted from ingredients such as chickpeas, kidney beans, and wheat, and are flavored with herbs and spices, containing no oil or isolates. The business primarily serves consumers looking for healthier, more sustainable, and cruelty-free protein options. Revenue is generated through the sale of these products via retail partners and direct-to-consumer online sales.

The company experienced rapid growth, expanding from a local market stand to being stocked in over 5,500 retailers nationwide by 2019, including major chains like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Wegmans. This expansion was supported by investments from venture capital firms like Blue Horizon Ventures. However, the company's trajectory has been marked by significant challenges. In 2020, No Evil Foods faced controversy over its handling of a unionization campaign by its workers, which included allegations of union-busting tactics. In June 2021, the company shut down its production facility in North Carolina without prior notice to employees, citing an "inevitable financial collapse" after an anticipated investment fell through, and shifted to a co-packer model. This move led to the layoff of their entire production staff without severance. Following these events and a period of operational and financial struggles, the company has been working to rebuild by focusing on a more regional retail strategy, a pivot to the frozen food aisle, and relaunching its e-commerce platform.

Keywords: plant-based meat, vegan protein, food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, sustainable foods, food startup, direct-to-consumer, retail food, cruelty-free products, organic ingredients