By comparison, plant-based foods were up 11.4%, as estimated by the Plant Based Foods Association. Plant-based meats saw 18% retail growth, with refrigerated versions like Impossible Foods burgers, Beyond Meat sausages and Tofurkey deli slices making up the majority of the increase. The big meat processors—Tyson, Smithfield, Hormel Foods—were already investing in plant-based alternatives when the pandemic arrived. Even as the Trump administration tries to keep traditional U.S. meat plants open, the pandemic is providing a tremendous boost to consumer interest in alternative products. Impossible Foods' plant-based burger products. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg In Europe, Barcelona-based Novameat is moving quickly to capitalize on the moment. It uses tissue engineering and bio-printing technologies to produce meat alternatives.