Sobeys Inc. first to bring Beyond Meat® to grocery shelves across Canada

The Beyond Burger™ is available to Canadian shoppers for the first time at Sobeys stores

STELLARTON, NS, April 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Sobeys Inc. is setting the pace among Canadian grocery retail, officially introducing The Beyond Burger™ to its shelves across Canada starting today with the national roll-out reaching all stores by Friday, April 26th. As the first grocery retailer in Canada to offer the beloved plant-based burger in stores, shoppers across the country can finally get their hands on this plant-based meat sensation.

Just in time for barbeque season, Sobeys shoppers can pick up their own package of Beyond Meat's plant-based burgers. The new mouth-watering product is a testament to Sobeys' commitment to offering Canadians an innovative assortment of grocery items that satisfy any occasion.

"We're proud to give Canadians the first taste of The Beyond Burger™ at grocery retail in Canada," said Pierre St-Laurent, EVP, Merchandising & Quebec, Sobeys Inc. "This builds upon our ongoing promise to bring Canadians the industry's most innovative food offerings, including great-tasting meat alternatives and healthy plant-based options."

The plant-based food trend is growing among Canadians from varying dietary backgrounds, and it's not just exclusive to vegetarians. In fact, 53 per cent of Canadian consumers eat meat alternatives, including 18 per cent who claim to eat them multiple times a week1.

"We know Canadians have been looking forward to the launch of Beyond Meat in retail and we're grateful to forward-looking partners like Sobeys who recognize the importance of providing their customers with more diverse protein options," said Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat Founder & CEO. "The Beyond Burger provides the delicious and satisfying experience of a burger but comes with the added health and environmental benefits of plant-based meat and is made without GMOs, soy or gluten."  

With the availability of Beyond Meat in Canada, Sobeys provides endless opportunities to feed bonds that empower families to bring the food they love to their table, every day. Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, on a plant-based diet or are looking for a fun alternative to grill up, The Beyond Burger satisfies many cravings.

Canadians have an opportunity to experience the Future of Protein® with Beyond Meat, available at Sobeys, Safeway, Bonichoix, Foodland, FreshCo, IGA, IGA Extra, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Thrifty Foods locations across the country, beginning late April 2019. Additionally, from May 10-12, 2019, Sobeys will be hosting tasting experiences for shoppers in-store at the following locations:

Atlantic Canada:

• #644 Clayton Park Sobeys, 287 Lacewood Dr, Halifax, NS – May 11, 2019
• #744 Elizabeth Ave Sobeys, 10 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John's, NL – May 12, 2019

Quebec:

• #8547 IGA Extra Marche Duchemin et Freres Inc., 5600, Boul. Henri-Bourassa Ouest – May 12, 2019

Ontario:

• NEW STORE – Bloor & Islington Sobeys Urban Fresh, Toronto, ON – May 10, 2019
• #7383 Queensway Sobeys, 125 The Queensway, Toronto, ON – May 11, 2019

Western Canada:

• #6465 Hillside Thrifty Foods, 1580 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC – May 11, 2019
• #4901 Broadway Safeway, 2733 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC – May 12, 2019
• #8833 Safeway Crowfoot, Calgary, AB – May 12, 2019
• #8906 Safeway Windermere, Edmonton, AB – May 11, 2019

About Sobeys Inc. 
Proudly Canadian, with headquarters in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of Canadians since 1907. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A), owns, affiliates or franchises approximately 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Farm Boy, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy and Lawtons Drug Stores as well as more than 350 retail fuel locations. Sobeys, its franchisees, and affiliates employ more than 125,000 people. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.

For further information: Jacquelin Weatherbee, Director, External Communications, Sobeys Inc., Jacquelin.Weatherbee@sobeys.com, 416.200.0372