Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA) Founder and President Yves Potvin continues to build on his bona fides as a plant-based food pioneer with the launch of a new created-in-Vancouver, first-in-Canada line of frozen plant-based sushi and onigiri called Konscious Foods.
Created in the kitchens of the chef-owned and -operated PICA, the Konscious Foods Sushi offerings include eight-piece California Rolls, Spicy California Rolls, Tuna Avocado Rolls, and Rainbow Rolls; and two-piece Onigiri products in Kale Gomae, Korean BBQ Mushroom, Roasted Corn & Poblano and Japanese Vegetable Curry varieties.
Potvin has been an industry leader in the world of plant-based food products ever since 1985, when he founded Yves Veggie Cuisine — and introduced the first fresh veggie hot dog to those looking for more plant-based protein options — and went on to launch Gardein.
Konscious Foods’ sushi products were developed in partnership with plant-based protein industry group Protein Industries Canada (PIC), plant protein ingredients company Merit Foods, and seaweed company Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds, and all its products comprise Canadian-grown and -processed ingredients, as well as other sources of pea, canola, and seaweed.
Konscious Foods will showcase its products this weekend at the Canadian Health Food Association’s 2023 Natural Organic Wellness tradeshow taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre West building on April 1 and April 2.
The brand made waves when it debuted at the Natural Products Expo West 2023 tradeshow in Anaheim earlier this month, garnering the gold for Best New Frozen Product 2023 for its California Roll, while its Kale-Gomae Onigiri was named a finalist in the Best Plant-Based Product category.
Konscious Foods’ products are currently available at all Vancouver Whole Foods locations as well as the Commercial Drive, Kitsilano, and Yaletown locations of Choices Markets as well as in the freezer at PICA’s Blue Hat Bakery-Café at #101-1505 W 2nd Ave.