PlantX Joins Amazon Marketplace to Make Plant-Based Online Shopping Easier

Shopping for vegan food just got even easier. Online grocery company PlantX has announced that it will be launching its e-commerce offerings on Amazon Marketplace to maximize the accessibility of its thousands of vegan offerings. The e-commerce retailer will become a seller through Amazon, allowing customers the chance to browse a wider selection of plant-based and vegan foods, wines, and household products, and check out with their usual Amazon payment method.

A Vancouver-based company launched in 2019, PlantX has been planning expansions and brick and mortar stores in the US. Now it will use Amazon’s platform to market its otherwise exclusive plant-based foods.

"We recognize the potential of joining Amazon as a third-party seller on its platform," PlantX CEO Lorne Rapkin said in a statement. "Being active on Amazon Marketplace means that we will be able to leverage Amazon's world-class e-commerce resources."

The partnership will allow the plant-based company access to several accommodations and programs offered by the e-commerce giant. Some programs available for PlantX will include customer service networks, establish fulfillment resources, and an extensive list of affiliates for the company. The company announced that by using the expansive Amazon infrastructure, PlantX will be able to see accelerated growth alongside a massive distribution expansion.

"Launching on the Amazon platform is a great opportunity to boost access to our plant-based brands and products," PlantX Founder Sean Dollinger said. "We are particularly excited about adding PlantX private label products to this new platform we believe it will increase our impact as we expand our in-house brands."

Currently, the online vegan grocery features more than 10,000 vegan products ranging from some of the most popular brands to exclusive plant-based products. The company primarily focuses on plant-based grocery items, but recently revealed a meal delivery service program, providing consumers with chef-created dishes that can be delivered straight to customers’ doorsteps. The company has announced that it plans to continue expanding its product offerings to incorporate cosmetics, clothes, and eventually its own water brand.

Earlier this year, the company announced that it had partnered with vegan celebrity chef Matthew Kenney, who owns 42 restaurants across 22 cities worldwide, to oversee the development of the meal delivery service. PlantX appointed Kenney to be the Chief Culinary Officer, enlisting the acclaimed chef to develop the company’s menu, delivery service, and self-branded products. Kenney’s oversight will include the help of several other chefs that will maximize the innovative meal program.

"I've been working as a plant-based chef for the last 18 to 20 years, supported by my team throughout my career, and we have never been more ready to partner with a large grocery store like PlantX," Kenney said at the time. “We will source the best ingredients or products, new innovative ideas, and apply technology to make plant-based the most exciting food in the world. We really want people to enjoy plants in their natural forms, keeping them as pure as possible without too much alternation or processed ingredients. You will find this food style at PlantX.”

The plant-based marketplace also applied for a NASDAQ listing in January with the intention of increasing its visibility and growth in the United States marketplace. The company continues to experience significant growth, allowing more customers across North America to purchase plant-based food items. This month, the company announced that its first-quarter 2022 gross revenue exceed C$4 million.

“PlantX continues to invest its efforts and resources strategically to grow and meet the demand for our plant-based products,” PlantX founder Sean Dollinger said in a statement. “It is encouraging to see the impact of our work. We are more committed than ever to continue building our business by executing on our mission and expansion goals.”

You may think iron is synonymous with meat, and while animal protein certainly has it, that doesn’t mean you can’t get enough iron if you eat a mainly plant-based diet. In fact, you can, if you know the right foods to choose and how to pair them. The daily recommendation from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for iron intake is 18 milligrams (mg), but not all iron sources are created equal. Here’s what plant-based eaters need to know about iron and which iron-rich foods are best to help reap the benefits.

1 cup cooked = 3 mg iron (17% daily value (DV))\There are many reasons to eat mushrooms on the regular, but their meaty texture (try a Portobello cap as a meat replacement for a burger!) and ample protein are two of the highlights. Add them to your stir-fry, tacos, or even instead of meat in a faux Bolognese sauce.

1/2 cup = 3 mg iron (17% DV)You don’t need to eat a huge serving of lentils to get a hearty dose of iron. Just a half-cup provides close to 20% of the iron you need in a day. Just like mushrooms, lentils have a meaty texture that works well in burgers, tacos, or grain bowls.

1 medium potato = 2 mg iron (11% DV)The poor potato has gotten such a bad rap. Fear of this carb-rich spud is unwarranted because it’s actually an affordable and delicious source of iron and potassium. So go ahead and have that hash, baked potato, or potato soup and leave the skin on for some added fiber.

1 ounce = 2 mg iron (11% DV)Most nuts contain iron, but cashews are a standout because they have less fat than some of the other nuts. One ounce of cashews (about 16 to 18 nuts) has 160 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 13 grams of fat. Add a handful of cashews to smoothies, soups, or sauces for some extra creaminess.

½ cup = 3 mg (15% DV)Not only does tofu have plenty of protein and calcium, but it’s also a good source of iron. It’s very versatile and takes on the flavor of any sauce or marinade, making it a great meat substitute.Keep in mind that you can easily get the iron you need from a plant-based diet.