What if we could enable food that nurtures our pets and our planet?

by Renee Beall , Global Director Product Marketing, Benson Hill

What happens in the food business doesn’t necessarily stay in the food business. Trends in human food extend into companion animal. Today’s pet lovers have a deep and growing commitment to pet (and animal) welfare and the wellbeing of the planet. Consumers are recognizing that reliance on factory-farmed protein sources is not sustainable to feed the growing populations of people, domesticated and farmed animals raised for food. Climate change and natural resources simply will not be able to keep up with these growing populations. Therefore, science and technology-enabled innovations are key as we move toward more sustainable food choices.?Protein from plant sources is key to pet health, and planet health.

We mentioned to investors last month that Benson Hill’s approach to creating sustainable, nutritious food ingredients will give brands the opportunity to meet the demands of pet owners looking for better choices. With more than half of pet owners willing to pay more for eco-friendly pet care products, Benson Hill is uniquely positioned to enable brands to innovate and renovate in this space. Our closed-loop business model connects our ingredients back to the farm, and our team works with our farmer partners to collect comprehensive on-farm data. Benson Hill supports multiple regenerative agriculture practices, encouraging growers to focus on what works for them.

PREMIUM, HIGH-QUALITY for “PET FOODIES”

As pet lovers feed their dogs and cats like family, they also seek variety, excitement and satisfaction for mealtimes and treats.?This will continue to drive growth across the premium pet food category. Food crafted with nutritious plant-based proteins will contribute to boosting demand and growth in the premium, high-quality,?“food-with-purpose” category.?Benson Hill’s plant proteins are designed to bring back plant characteristics that have been bred out of crops over time in order to increase yield. For example, our non-GMO soybeans have 20% more protein than conventional soybeans, because we start with a better seed – ours. It’s better right from the beginning, and skips a processing step that conventional soybeans require for protein concentration. (Check out the new sell sheet from our team, which we’ll introduce at ??Petfood Forum Events this week in Kansas City.)

AUTHENTIC SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS

With pet parents in search of the best possible food, they often seek products where they can understand exactly what the ingredients are, and how those ingredients are sourced.?Eco-friendly, value-driven companies have gained the attention of younger-generation pet parents. Nielsen IQ data shows that Gen Zs are more likely to purchase from a certain company if they develop products responsibly and sustainably. The top 3 concerns for Gen Zers are animal welfare, climate change, and air pollution.

To address those concerns, Benson Hill ingredients are more traceable. Our crops are grown, harvested, and made into food ingredients in the USA – and we know our farmer partners well. And many of them have pets of their own, so they understand the importance of quality, nutrient-packed pet food.

NURTURING, NUTRITIVE PLANT PROTEIN

Benson Hill plant proteins can help brands to create healthy, planet-friendly, plant-based meals that delight pets and their owners.?Soy is one of the earth’s oldest and most widely used sources of high-quality protein. Its complementary amino acid profile works well with other proteins and grains. Soy also helps support pets' muscles. Benson Hill’s range of soy protein ingredients and our unique proprietary approach to plants for food delivers authentic and measurable sustainability benefits consumers seek.

Please come by Booth 718 at the ??Petfood Forum Events , May 1-3, to chat with our team - or email us at [email protected].

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REFERENCES:

-Nielsen IQ, Pet Trends for Pet Food and Pet Supply Brands, March 2023

-Pet Keen, Pet Industry Statistics 2023: Facts & Trends on the $261 Billion Pet Market. Dean Eby, March 2023