Gathered Foods, makers of Good Catch plant-based seafood products, has secured a Series B funding round from two key industry investors: Greenleaf Foods and 301 INC, the venture arm of General Mills.
 
The proceeds from the investment, totaling over $32 million, will be used for significant expansion in distribution across North America, Europe and into Asia, the opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, and new product and food service channel launches in early 2020.
 
Valued at $4.5 billion, the U.S. plant-based foods retail market grew five times faster than the total U.S. retail food sales over the past year, according to the Good Food Institute. “Consumer demand of trailblazing plant-based alternatives is nearly insatiable, and this trend is led by taste and availability. This next phase for Good Catch is laser focused on meeting consumer desires with culinary applications across all channels,” said Chris Kerr, CEO and co-founder of Gathered Foods. “This round of investment emphasizes the food industry’s recognition of our strategy, our reception by consumers, and anticipation for more innovation to come.”
 
“When we met the Good Catch team, we were immediately captivated with their mission to develop more sustainable plant-based seafood products that taste as delicious as traditional seafood,” said John Haugen, managing director of 301 INC. “Good Catch stands out as a strong, expandable brand with passionate leadership, and we’re excited to partner to grow.”
 
Behind the success of Good Catch are founding chef partners and brothers, Chad and Derek Sarno. They have worked to help create the company’s proprietary six-legume blend (peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans and navy beans), utilized as the base of these inaugural Good Catch products. The added umami flavor from seaweed and algae extracts creates a real seafood flavor. All Good Catch products are free of dairy, GMOs, mercury, toxins, microplastics, microfibers and are safe for those with shellfish allergies.
 
“Good Catch is pioneering a new, promising sector of the fast-growing plant-based protein category and we’re thrilled to support their continued growth and progress as they deliver consumers great-tasting plant-based seafood products that support their brand mission—and ours, as well,” said Dan Curtin, president and CEO of Greenleaf Foods, SPC.
 
As the appetite for plant-based seafood continues to grow, the goal is to make Good Catch accessible and available for everyone. Good Catch products are now available in over 4,500 retail outlets across the U.S., and will be launching in the U.K. in the coming weeks.