Big Mountain Foods and Crush Dynamics Partner to Deliver Plant-Based Food Innovation

Big Mountain Foods will offer its Lions Mane Mushroom Burger in over 350 Sprouts Farmers stores, following its triumph as one of the top plant-based performers at Sprouts with its Lions Mane Mushroom Crumble.

FREMONT, CA: “We are thrilled to partner with a leader in plant-based food innovation. Our engagement with Big Mountain Foods demonstrates what is possible with upcycled ingredients. We look forward to supporting Big Mountain as they continue to deliver award-winning products to increasingly discerning consumers," says Kirk Moir, CEO of Crush Dynamics. Two Canadian companies passionate about innovation and sustainability, Crush Dynamics and Big Mountain Foods, have shared significant innovations in plant-based foods. Using Crush Dynamics' repurposed Ruby Pure, Big Mountain significantly improved the flavor and nutritional value of their new Lions Mane Mushroom Burger through collaborative efforts.

Crush Dynamics, recently recognized as one of the top innovators on The Food Tech 500 list, has developed a patented method to convert tannin-rich agricultural side streams, such as winemaking byproducts, into high-performance food components. Integral to the company's success and partnership with Big Mountain Foods has been its commitment to sustainability and capacity to influence consumer preference through flavor enhancement and polyphenol-rich nutrition.

Big Mountain Foods pioneered the plant-based protein industry in 2022 when its Lions Mane Mushroom Crumble garnered the Nexty Award for Best New Product. The company is committed to manufacturing tasty, healthy, and environmentally sustainable plant-based foods.

“The Lions Mane Mushroom Burger is the latest product to come out of this sustainability-focused partnership. Using Crush Dynamics' innovative ingredients provides a clear point of difference in the taste and nutrition of our products. We see Crush Dynamics and upcycled ingredients as an important part of our differentiation and expansion into the US market,” says Jasmine Byrne, COO of Big Mountain Foods.

“Both organizations are proud members of the Upcycled Food Association, a global community of businesses committed to reducing food waste. Upcycled Food Association is thrilled to see the list of Upcycled Certified ingredients grow so quickly through innovative work by companies like Crush Dynamics and their partnership with Big Mountain Foods,” adds Angie Crone, CEO of Upcycled Food Association.

This spring, the Lions Mane Mushroom Burger and six other first-to-market innovations made with recycled ingredients will be available for purchase in select US stores.