SimplyV, a new brand from Franklin Foods, is expanding to the United States with the launch of its plant-based cream cheese. This chef-tested product, made from almonds, offers the texture and taste of dairy cream cheese and will roll out to foodservice and grocers in March 2023. SimplyV has been a market leader in the largest European market with its plant-based cheese products for the past five years and this product launch marks the first time the brand will be available in the U.S.

“SimplyV is an excellent option for any restaurant or foodservice operation that is wanting to add more plant-based options to their menus or for grocers wanting to add more plant-based products to their shelves,” said President and CEO of Franklin Foods Emma Aer. “SimplyV has an incredibly delicious taste profile and in blind taste tests, it outperformed two major plant-based competitors on the most important attributes—flavor and creaminess. You can easily spread this plant-based cream cheese on a bagel, and it can also stand on its own when used in baking or as a recipe ingredient.” 

The plant-based SimplyV cream cheese is free of dairy, soy, palm oil, lactose, and gluten. Depending on the task at hand, this versatile product can be spread, baked, whipped, and used for thickening. SimplyV cream cheese will be available for foodservice customers in 1-oz. portion cups, a 5-lb tub, and a 30-lb box in the original flavor and for consumers, they will launch the first plant-based 8-oz. bar in the original flavor and 8-oz cup varieties in three flavors: original, Strawberry and Onion & Chive. The products are made in the U.S., and the product, recipe, and packaging have been designed for American customers, using best practices and plant-based cheese knowledge from Europe.

“We believe our new cream cheese is the creamiest of all plant-based cream cheese alternatives,” said Aer. “Not only does it taste great, but it’s good for us and our planet. We’re confident that the U.S. market will ‘spread’ the love for SimplyV the same way the European market has embraced our products.” 

Sustainability goals

“As a family-owned company, we think in generations. For Franklin Foods and our parent company, Hochland Group, our commitment to sustainability means we consider which production and sourcing decisions will best serve future generations. Protecting our future is an integral part of our corporate philosophy.” said Aer. The Franklin team is dedicated to their ambitious 2025 sustainability goals which include: 

• Reducing CO2 emissions by 50% by 2025. The company’s operation has been carbon neutral for scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2021, and they continue to look for ways to produce foods that are good for us and the earth.
• Reducing plastic output per package by 20% by 2025 and increasing the use of recycled or bio-based plastics (90% of packaging is already recyclable).
• Creating energy out of the wastewater from production by 2025.

SimplyV uses almonds that come directly from farms that are dedicated to delivering the very best almond products while maintaining respect for bees, farmers, and the environment. Selecting farms for their use of micro-irrigation systems, solar-powered irrigation systems, highly accurate irrigation data to eliminate water waste, land conservation easements, and certified bee-friendly farming practices.

SimplyV started with a small team in the Allgäu region of Germany to rethink cheese production and work on plant-based cheese. The company launched its SimplyV brand in 2015 and conquered the European market in 12 months. Since then, SimplyV has set new standards in the segment of plant-based cheese alternatives and will roll out to foodservice and consumers in 2023 in the U.S. market.