Four United Kingdom-based wholesalers have contracted to carry the Loma Linda brand’s alternative seafood line, TUNO.
Tree of Life, The Health Store, Suma, and Marigold have joined the growing group of wholesalers and health food retailers, including Holland & Barratt and Planet Organic, that carry Loma Linda’s TUNO – a protein-rich, gluten-free, plant-based series of products designed to recreate “the light, flaky texture of seafood,” according to the brand. It is comprised of a proprietary blend of soy, yeast, sunflower oil, seaweed, and other natural ingredients.
Created in collaboration with global seafood industry experts, TUNO helps to address “the growing crisis of global fish stocks being overfished and depleted,” Loma Linda said. With around 100 calories or less per serving, the TUNO line comes in a variety of flavors including: Spring Water, TUNO Mayo (made with vegan mayonnaise), Lemon Pepper, and Sweet Chilli and Sesame Ginger. Differing combinations of the range are available in select retailers, the brand added.
The latest deal – which will see the four newly-contracted retailers also offering Loma Linda’s line of plant-based Ready Meals – will bring the brand’s presence to around 1,600 independent stories across the United Kingdom. Nashville, North Carolina, U.S.A.-based Atlantic Natural Foods, LLC (ANF), the owner of the Loma Linda brand, partnered with Worldwide Food Associates (WFA) to bring the plant-based product ranges overseas.
“Health and sustainability are critical components in a world where today's shoppers are not only aware of the benefits of plant-based proteins, but also embracing them as part of a healthy lifestyle,” said Eric Woods, managing director of WFA. “As such, retailers are significantly increasing the space allocated to plant-based alternatives, as more brands and SKUs enter the market.”
“Following Loma Linda’s entry into the marketplace this year, with listings in major retailers such as Morrisons and Holland & Barratt, we have seen demand for its products soar and sales so far are looking strong,” Woods added. “These new contracts with independent wholesalers, will allow us to reach even more consumers over the coming months and cement our place as a leading UK plant-base brand.”
Some U.K.-based stores plan to run promotions throughout 2019 surrounding their new stocks of Loma Linda items. The brand’s ranges have already hit select U.K. shelves and online retailers, with a recommended retail price of GPB 3.99 (USD 4.99, EUR 4.44) per Ready Meal and GBP 1.79 (USD 2.24, EUR 1.99) per TUNO product.
Back in March, Loma Linda partnered with Walmart to bring TUNO products to 10,000 stores across North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and 17 other countries.
“As we approach [USD] 30 million in revenue and march toward [USD] 50 million+ in the near future, we must build a team of the most qualified professionals who not only want to change the world but also know how,” said J. Douglas Hines, founder and chairman of ANF, at the time of the Walmart deal.
