VBites acquires stake in vegan food firm

By Gwen Ridler

- Last updated on GMT

VBites has purchased a stake in Onist
VBites has purchased a stake in Onist
Plant-based food manufacturer VBites has acquired a stake in healthy vegan startup Onist for an undisclosed sum.

Commenting on her decision to invest in the startup, VBites founder Heather Mills said: “Though Onist’s products are excellent, it is their aligned drive, dedication and charity aspect that make it an ideal investment to help scale.

“We look forward to working with Mary and her team to show that good business can also be good for everyone on the planet.”

Mills’ investment in Onist comes less than a month after acquiring her third factory, the former Procter & Gamble factory in Newcastle, in a bid to make a ‘plant-based valley’ in the north east of England.

Partnership opportunity

VBites’ stake in Onist formed part of its drive to partner with successful food startups to help scale up the business.

Onist founder Mary Lynch, former senior nutritionist at Jamie Oliver ltd, added: “Heather was the investor and business partner we have been searching for. She has a fantastic vision, enormous infrastructure and she, like me, believes that the future of business is purpose-driven.”

Originally operating out of Lynch’s kitchen, Onist’s range of high-fibre avocado snack pots are now stocked in Selfridges and Whole Foods in the UK and are available online through Ocado.

Educating the public

“The avocado pots are fantastic and very popular, but there is still a huge amount of mysticism around what a healthy diet actually looks like,”​ Lynch continued. “Onist is here to be the no crap, no fads answer to healthy eating on the go.”

Meanwhile, vegan puddings maker Freaks of Nature has moved into foodservice for the first time​ after appointing Vegetarian Express to distribute two products to caterers, hotels and restaurants.

“Appointing Vegetarian Express is a hugely exciting development for us as it will empower our customers to simplify their pudding offering and save complexity in the kitchen,” ​said sales director Paul Downing. “Freaks of Nature’s puddings truly are for one and all​.”

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