Nestle Is Buying A Plant-Based Meal Startup

In case you needed more proof that the food industry is going in a healthier, more plant-friendly direction, on Thursday food giant Nestle announced its plans to buy husband-and-wife run startup Sweet Earth, a company that prepares frozen plant-based meals.

The reason for the move? According to the Swiss company, most famous for its chocolate bars but also the owner of brands like Hot Pockets, Lean Cuisine, and Stouffer's, they're looking to cater to the growing number of consumers who want to make healthier food choices.

"This segment has been identified for us globally as a key area a few years ago," Nestle head of strategic food operations Wayne England said in a statement on Thursday. "Giving the world better access to vegetarian-based or plant-based food is something we want to do."

Nestle is hardly the only large food company to move in a healthier direction. Last November, Pepsi acquired sparkling probiotic drink company KeVita for $200 million as more consumers began to crave less sugary, more functional beverages.