August 22 is World Plant Milk Day, an international celebration of plant-based milk alternatives. Founded in 2017 by Robbie Lockie, co-creator of Plant Based News, this day is intended to educate the public about the health and environmental benefits of plant-based milks and encourage those on the fence to consider switching away from dairy.
With so many delicious options on the market — including Oddlygood’s line of plant-based milk products — there’s never been a better time to celebrate World Plant Milk Day. Whether you own a food service business that wants to cater to a wider range of consumer diets or someone who’s curious about healthy, sustainable alternatives to dairy, here’s what you need to know about plant-based milk and why it’s soaring in popularity.
The rise of plant-based milk
The plant milk market is drastically growing, with no signs of slowing down. In 2022, the market was valued at $40.25 billion; by 2030, it’s expected to hit $123.1 billion — a staggering 15% compound annual growth rate.
Across the U.S., almond milk is the highest-sold alternative, accounting for $344 million in sales within a mere three-month span in 2021. Oat and soy milk are the next-best sellers, respectively.
The rise in non-dairy milk’s popularity can attributed to many factors. Overall market trends show that consumers no longer only favor cow’s milk. In fact, many people prefer the taste of milk alternatives like almond, oat, and soy. These products are often better suited to a growing number of consumers’ dietary and health needs, especially if they have a dairy sensitivity or intolerance.
Today’s consumer is also more savvy about the ethics of the dairy industry. Many have been motivated to seek milk alternatives that are produced in more environmentally-friendly and humane ways.
Benefits of plant-based milk
Two key benefits of milk derived from plants are its long-term environmental and health impacts.
Reduced environmental impact Plant-based milk does not impact the environment in the same way the dairy industry does, as it requires less water and food materials to make than cow’s milk. Plant-based milk produces fewer emissions than cow’s milk — which accounts for 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions — and is a more sustainable option long-term.
Improved physical health From feeling good to looking good, plant-based milk offers many advantages to people’s overall physical health by providing a hormone-free option that is lower in fat, sugars, and calories. Those with lactose intolerance or allergies to cow milk — which affects 1 in 13 adults — can get the health benefits of milk without disrupting their bodies.
Plant-based milk impacts health in the long term as well. Lowering your dairy intake is associated with a reduced risk of various diseases, along with other benefits like increased energy, lessened asthma symptoms, and clearer skin.
Explore Oddlygood’s world of plant milk drinks
Oddlygood offers a variety of plant-based milk products around the world, all of which are gluten-free and can be used for cooking, baking, and drinking. Our vegan-friendly drinks are perfect for restaurants, coffee shops, and other food-based businesses looking to expand their menu with dairy-free beverages and dishes.
Oddlygood All-In Barista and other plant-based drinks Oddlygood uses the entire oat in its All-In Barista drink, offered both in the US and internationally, to get a full-bodied milk that’s perfect for pairing with coffee and experimenting with new recipes. It’s a dairy-free and vegan-friendly milk alternative that offers the same consistency and foamability as dairy milk.
Here are a few additional plant-based milk options Oddlygood offers in other global markets:
- Original Oat Drink. The Original Oat Drink, made with whole Finnish oats, offers a naturally sweet and smooth taste that is perfect on its own or as part of a recipe.
- Organic Almond Drink. As a lighter option, the Organic Almond Milk has a rich flavor of lightly-roasted European almonds with no sugar added.
- Organic Soya Drink. The protein-packed Soya Milk uses organically-grown European soybeans to deliver a mild-tasting drink with no added sugar or GMOs.
This World Plant Milk Day, take a stride toward a more sustainable future by exploring Oddlygood’s delicious line products for your restaurant or food service business.