The following vegetarian food companies provided us with data and assistance in compiling our survey.
Turtle Island
Foods
Beginning
as a one-man operation, run by its founder Seth Tibbott, Turtle
Island Foods has grown to become the second-largest tempeh manufacturer
in the United States. The company is home to the "Wild Tofurky,"
a mouthwatering tofu roast that's replacing turkey at health-conscious
Thanksgiving dinners everywhere. Turtle Island Foods also makes
wild rice stuffing and Tofurky gravy to complement its roasts,
as well as a line of other tasty products, including Tofurky Jurky
and slices, tempeh Super Burgers, and the original product that
started it all, tempeh.
Now and Zen
This
is a company that debunks the myth that vegan food can't taste
great! Now and Zen has a delectable line of desserts, featuring
a variety of cakes and cookies, Hip Whip (non-dairy whipped cream),
even vegan chocolate mousse. The company's founder, Miyoko Schinner,
started out by making and delivering her sweet treats to San Francisco
Bay-area natural food stores, and in 1997 began focusing on manufacturing
her popular products-good news for vegans! If you don't like sweets,
there are also main-dish items like UnTurkey, BBQ UnRibs, breast
of UnChicken, and the UnSteak-Out; great ways to make your own
transcendental vegan experience!
Lumen
Foods
Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Lumen Foods, a division of
Herbologics, Ltd., produces over 300 health food products. Greg
Caton, the company founder, created Lumen Foods to provide exotic
meat replacements for those looking for swing in their soy. Stonewall's
Jerquee accomplishes that feat, with flavors that include Wild,
Spicy Chicken, BBQ Beef, Hot Pastrami, Peppy Pepperoni and Teriyaki
Beef.
Field Roast
The
history of Field Roast dates back to the 7th century when, as
legend has it, vegetarian Buddhist monks first developed Mien
Ching, or "Buddha's Food." The Field Roast products
are founder Chef David Lee's 20th century adaptation of Mien Ching,
and are low-fat, high-protein vegan grain meats that don't skimp
on flavor. You can pick up loaves, thin-slices, or cutlets of
Field Roast products in tantalizing lentil sage, smoked tomato,
or wild mushroom flavors. Look for the Celebration Roast with
a sausage-style stuffing made from Field Roast, butternut squash,
apples and mushrooms!
Amy's Kitchen
Amy's
Kitchen is a family owned and operated business, named after the
founders' daughter, Amy. It began selling its organic, vegetarian
meals in 1987, in an effort to provide tasty, home-style meals
for people too busy to cook from scratch. There are now over sixty
scrumptious meal choices, plus a newly introduced line of soups,
chilis, and pasta sauces. If you're looking for some vegan comfort
food, try the Shepherd's Pie or No Chicken Noodle Soup, and indulge
yourself in the peace of mind that comes from cruelty-free cooking.
Yves
Veggie Cuisine
Yves Veggie Cuisine was created to provide a healthy, convenient
alternative to the fatty fast food that dominated the North American
market. Founded in 1985 by its namesake, French-trained chef Yves
Potvin, the company produces delicious, veggie products with a
wide appeal. With a product line that ranges from veggie dogs
and burgers, to deli slices and soy cheese, and even to breakfast
products and complete entrees, you're bound to find something
from Yves to delight your taste buds!
Lightlife
Foods
The
60's live on at Lightlife Foods. According to its website, Lightlife
began in 1979 as Tempeh Works, the creation of self-proclaimed
hippie/vegetarian Michael Cohen. Michael worked to produce his
tantalizing tempeh in an old car wash and later developed the
Tamari Grilles tempeh burger and Fakin' Bacon. The company officially
changed its name to Lightlife Foods in 1984, and gained national
attention when it introduced its Tofu Dogs. It now has a full
line of products that includes a variety of popular deli "meats",
like Foney Baloney, as well as its original tempeh, now available
in some far-out flavors, and breakfast products sure to get you
out of bed.
