USA - Israeli Plant-Based Meat Coming
Plant-based whole-cut “meat” in the style of slabs, steaks and pulled beef is being introduced to the American retail market by Israel’s Chunk Foods, starting with independent grocers in Los Angeles and New York City before possible expansion to other regions later in 2025.
Rich in iron, protein and vitamin B12, Chunk’s beef analogues boast a “clean ingredient list comprised entirely of recognizable, pronounceable, healthy, and natural ingredients (8 of them, to be exact), with no gums, stabilizers, or preservatives.”
The cultured, non-GMO soy protein-based products are created with minimal processing, using unique fermentation technology. Just like the real whole-muscle beef they closely resemble, Chunk Foods can be pan-seared, basted, grilled, smoked, stewed, braised, barbecued, or baked. They are certified kosher and pareve.
Last year, Chunk Foods completed a large production center and partnered with plant protein company Better Balance to create new products for the Mexican food-service market. The Tel Aviv-based startup has raised $24 million in total.
-www.israel21c.org, 22 December 2024
Arno's Commentary
While plant-based meat substitute first came to the US market in 1980, under the brand Tofurkey, Israel’s Chunk Foods claims to be different in having greater health benefits and being environmentally friendly.
Meat-eaters will always insist that meat is meat and vegetables are vegetables, but the growing plant-based meat industry seems to be making an impact. The Israeli company won the AgTech Breakthrough Award in 2023 in New York, Philadelphia, Orlando, and Miami.
While these developments are fantastic, the bottom line is still the same. Psalm 145:15-16 declares: “The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” And 2 Corinthians 9:11 adds: “Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”
We admire technology, particularly in the agricultural field, but the truth still remains: If God sends no rain, it will be the end of food production.
In the end, when judgment comes, Revelation 6:6 declares: “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” The NLT reads: “And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, ‘A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.’”
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
