BOSTON -- Pillars Yogurt, LLC has joined the burgeoning plant-based yogurt category with the launch of its new innovation, Pillars Plant, an organic coconut probiotic yogurt. Pillars founder Eric Bonin spent three years developing the new dairy-free yogurt, which is hitting both Wegmans and Central Market shelves this week, and will be rolling out to other retailers through the remainder of the year.
“The majority of plant-based yogurts that have come to market over the last few years have tasted awful and lack the nutritional value and functionality of dairy yogurt," said Bonin. "This is partly why the category hasn’t taken off quite like other plant-based segments, such as plant milks. Pillars Plant solves all this. It tastes like dessert and delivers the nutritional value people want, need, and now expect from their food."
The company, known for its drinkable Greek yogurt, saw a similar opportunity in plant-based yogurt to create a product that better meets the needs of a wellness lifestyle: lower sugar, higher protein, functional fats and a blend of pre + probiotics, which help support gut health.
"We’re expanding our product mission of being the category leader in removing unnecessary sugar, this time, in the plant-based yogurt game," he said. "Pillars Plant has dramatically less sugar than what’s on the market now but tastes incredible and has this super thick creamy texture that’s out of this world. We nailed this innovation.”
Pillars Plant will launch in 16oz multi-serve cups, available in three flavors Vanilla, Mixed Berry and Strawberry Banana. A single 5.3-oz serving has 180 calories, 14 grams of fat, 8g of plant-based protein, 3g of prebiotic fiber, only 1g of total sugar, and contains 30-60 billion live and active probiotic cultures including the scientifically validated BB12 strain. Pillars Plant is USDA certified organic, vegan, keto, non-GMO, OU Kosher, gluten-free and features a fully recyclable, BPA-free and phthalate-free cup.
“We really leaned into sourcing and sustainability," said Bonin. "The ingredients in Pillars Plant are sourced from suppliers who follow regenerative agriculture practices and the cups and lids are 100% recyclable. Our tagline, ‘Naturally simple, Naturally good’ has been our core ethos since day one and applies more than ever with this new product line.”