NEW YORK — Plant-based chicken alternative company Daring Foods announced it will be moving into the US market after its partnership with Rastelli Foods Group, a family owned, vertically integrated, global food processing and service company based in Swedesboro, New Jersey.

The Glascow, Scotland-based company said it signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Rastelli for exclusive distribution of Daring Foods’ products. The plant-based products will now be shipped to restaurants and retailers nationwide. Rastelli will also support Daring Foods’ move into direct-to-consumer delivery in February 2020.

Daring’s plant-based product uses five non-GMO ingredients made with wheat and potato proteins along with spices.

"Our goal with the launch of Daring Foods was to make the swap to plant-based meat as simple as possible. We focused on bridging the taste gap, successfully taken on the daunting task of replacing a beloved staple in our diet with an alternative that you can cook with, tastes great and is good for you," said Ross Mackay, co-founder and CEO of Daring Foods. "After 24 months of hard work, introducing Daring is an incredibly important step for us. With Rastelli's we reach customers across the nation all at once, we are not limited in any way. We could not imagine a better partner both business-wise and with deep expertise in the food business. We are ready for people to finally fall in love with this amazing product."

Rastelli Foods Group has worked in the meat industry for 43 years. With its current distribution channels, the company brings in an annual global revenue of $450 million and employs 800 people worldwide. The company sees this partnership as another avenue to provide other protein to the American consumer.

"Rastelli's is a protein company, not just a meat company. We're here to fill the center of your plate with the best and most delicious foods – no matter if they come from an animal or a plant,” said Ray Rastelli Jr., president of Rastelli Foods Group. “The moment I tasted Daring chicken, I immediately knew this was something unique. Daring fulfills all our requirements for clean, responsibly sourced products. They epitomize what customers have wanted all along, a clean label product that is not a novelty but meant to be eaten every day and easy to cook by almost anyone." 

Rastelli currently supplies major retailers Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club, along with various hotels, restaurants, institutions and retail markets.