MOSS LANDING, Calif. — Nestle S.A. is throwing its hat in the ring of the growing plant-based burger segment in the United States with the launch of the Sweet Earth Awesome Burger.

Developed by Sweet Earth Foods’ culinary team with Nestle R&D support, the Awesome Burger is made with US-sourced yellow pea protein, resulting in a patty that provides 26 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. The burgers are Non-GMO Project verified and come in packs of two quarter-lb. patties.

“The Sweet Earth Awesome Burger has a delicious, grilled beefy flavor, great texture and juiciness, with the added benefit of plant-based fiber and protein,” said Kelly Swette, CEO of Sweet Earth Foods. “We’ve been making delicious plant-based proteins for more than eight years, so the Awesome Burger is a natural evolution of our work in this space.”

Alongside the Awesome Burger, Nestle is offering Sweet Earth Awesome Grounds, a ground version of the plant-based protein. Also Non-GMO Project verified, the grounds contain 16 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving and come in 12-oz. packages.

The new Sweet Earth Awesome Burger and Sweet Earth Awesome Grounds will be available starting this week at retailers across the United States, including Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, Safeway and Wegmans stores. Nestle plans to expand distribution nationwide in the weeks to follow.

Nestle also offers a plant-based burger under its Garden Gourmet brand in Europe. The company launched the Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger in January and updated the recipe in August. Developed for European markets, the Incredible Burger includes natural protein from soy and wheat.

“Nestle offers Sweet Earth the infrastructure to produce enough burgers to meet the surge in consumer demand, with an industry that is predicted to grow tenfold in the next 10 years,” Sweet Earth said.

Acquired by Nestle in 2017, Sweet Earth Foods’ portfolio includes more than 60 plant-based products.