With products on shelves by the end of October, and Walmart already committed to stocking them in over 1,300 stores.
With over 800 million people worldwide suffering food insecurity and malnutrition, urgent action is needed. Borealis Foods and their subsidiary Palmetto Gourmet Foods are stepping up to play their part, using their plant-based products as a sustainable way of addressing hunger and food accessibility. Now, MN2S has helped them to team up with world-famous chef Gordon Ramsay as a strategic partner and brand ambassador for their new product, Chef Woo—the world’s first plant-based ramen. Ramsay explained his involvement:
“With the current cost-of-living crisis on everyone’s minds and rising food prices being a worldwide problem, now more than ever, households across America face the very real issue of food insecurity. I’m looking forward to working with Borealis Foods to provide nutritious and affordable meal options.”
“I’m delighted to announce this exciting partnership,” MN2S CEO Sharron Elkabas said. “Gordon’s unparalleled culinary skills and passion align perfectly with Borealis’ commitment to quality and innovation.”
How we ended up in a global hunger crisis is complex. Ongoing economic challenges, conflicts, and climate change are all actively disrupting food production and distribution. Less food on the shelves means higher prices, disproportionately hurting marginalized communities. Worse still, research has found a link between childhood malnutrition and impaired cognitive development and behavioural problems, implying dire long-term consequences.
Even the biggest economies aren’t safe. Food bank usage has surged in both the US and UK in recent years, driven by the cost-of-living crisis. In 2023 alone, 80% of US food banks reported steady or increased demand—9 million American children are going hungry. Yet food banks themselves are also suffering from rising supply-chain and transportation costs caused by the same crisis, creating a perfect storm. Borealis is responding with plant-based ramen products, such as Ramen Express and Chef Woo. These offer nutritious, protein-rich meals free of MSG, palm oil, and animal by-products. They’re organic, healthy, and unlike far too many similar products, they’re affordable.
Sustainability, ethical practices, and diversity form the core of the Borealis/Palmetto mission. Research from the University of Michigan shows that producing a cup of their ramen uses significantly fewer resources—water, energy, emissions, land, etc.—compared to beef production. This aligns with the company’s commitment to reducing their environmental impact under the motto “For Our Health. For Our Planet.” Borealis is ESG-compliant, employs a diverse workforce, and collaborates with organizations like the World Food Programme and Feeding America to donate food to schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Borealis now has their products on shelves with Walmart committed to stocking them in over 1,300 stores. Reza Soltanzadeh, founder and CEO of Borealis Foods, shared his optimism:
“We hope that these nutritious meals will make a significant difference for low-income families, providing them with affordable, high-quality protein options.”
Addressing world hunger requires collaborative effort, and companies like Borealis and Palmetto are leading the way. Through continued innovation and partnerships, they’re making strides in combating malnutrition and food insecurity, transforming lives globally.