The Pure-Play Plant-Based Food Stocks Index* tracks the 10 stocks in the fledgling plant-based fake meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood sector and it was down 8.1% last week and went down 11.8% in the past month. Below are links to recent articles on each company followed by their stock performances last week and in March with the most recent news on every company noted. [TM Editors' Note: This article discusses penny stocks and/or microcaps. Such stocks are readily manipulated; do your own careful due diligence.]

According to a 2020 study by Ipsos Retail Performance, about 9.7 million Americans now follow a plant-based diet up from just 290,000 in 2004 and this may just be the start. According to the Plant Based Foods Association and the Good Foods Institute we should see continued major growth in the plant-based sector with year-over-year sales growth of 11.4% and, according to Meticulous Research, will  be worth $74.2 billion in the next seven years. The plant-based meat market, specifically, will be worth $35.4 billion by 2027 , according to Polaris Market Research. 

Constituent Introductions and Stock Performance Comparisons

The Index is divided into two groups – those six (6) trading for less than US$10/share and those four (4) trading at much higher prices –  to provide more meaningful comparisons and conclusions as to the performance of the Index.

Below are links to recent articles on each company followed by their stock performances last week, in descending order, and in the month of March, in brackets, with the most recent news on every company.

1. Tofutti Brands (TOFB): N/C (+15.8%) at $3.15/share
   • no news of note
2. Eat Beyond Inc. (EATBF): -9.6% (-34.9%) to $1.51/share
   • Announced that its portfolio company Eat Just Inc. has completed a US$200M funding round.
   • Announced that it has invested in SIRE Bioscience (CSE: SIRE)
   • Announced that its portfolio company Nabati Foods Global Inc. has closed an oversubscribed $7.7 million private placement, and has restructured with plans to go public.
3. Else Nutrition (BABYF): -10.7%  (-12.9%) to $2.42/share
   • Announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with U.S. based Imperial Distributors of Worcester, Massachusetts, that is recognized throughout the Northeast, South Atlantic, and Midwest U.S. states as a leader in distribution, merchandising, and category management.
   • Announced that it will be rolling out its Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers at over 100 Raley’s, Bel Air Markets and Nob Hill Foods locations in Northern California and Nevada in April 2021
4. Modern Meat Inc. (SUVRF): -11.1% (-16.3%) to $2.09/share
   • No news
5. The Very Good Food Company Inc. (VRYYF): -11.1% (-16.3%) to $3.84/share
   • Announced that it is now trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) under the symbol VERY. 
   • Announced the acquisition of the Lloyd-James Marketing Group Inc., a wholesale and food service broker specializing in the plant-based food industry with a history of placement in large natural, specialty and conventional grocery retailers.
6. Plant&Co. Brands (VGANF): -25.7% (-13.3%) to $0.26/share
   • Announced that its Holy Crap breakfast cereals are now available in Whole Foods stores in Ontario.
   • Announced it has retained the iFranchise Group to oversee the launch and execution of a North American-wide franchise expansion plan for its YamChops - Grown Not Raised - vegan butcher shops. 

Average Sub-Total Performance: -8.8%  (-15.6% YTD)

1. Guru Organic Energy (GUROF): N/C (-22.6%) at $13.00/share
   • Announced that it has increased distribution of its products into another 1247 convenience and gas bar locations across Canada for a sum total of over 4,500 points of sale.
2. Beyond Meat Inc. (BYND): -6.9% (-10.8%) to $129.71/share
   • J.P. Morgan cut its price target to $91 a share, and reiterated a rating of underweight on the stock.
3. Laird Superfood Inc. (LSF): -7.2% (-13.2%) to $34.27/share
   • Reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
4. Tattooed Chef Inc. (TTCF): -8.2% (-4.1%) to $19.11/share
   • Announced that it has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

Average Sub-Total Performance: -8.1% (-12.6%)

The Pure-Play Plant-Based Food Stocks Index went down, in total, by 8.1% last week and -11.8% over the month of March  

*Please note: The 10 pure-play stocks in the munKNEE Pure-Play Plant-Based Food Stocks Index are just that, pure, and focused almost exclusively on the research, development, sales, distribution, and marketing of vegan food products and, as such, the Index reflects the true health of the plant-based food sector in the U.S. and Canada.