This Plant-Based Food Startup Targets Seniors Instead of Millennials

The Perennial food startup aims to serve people older than 50, offering products like a non-dairy drink designed to promote gut, brain, and bone health, reports Fast Company . Perennial co-founder Brent Taylor says a key driver "was a lot of frustration around the fact that this is a very forgotten demographic in food and beverage." Co-founder Sara Bonham adds that just 1 percent of global innovation targets people over 50, even though it is the fastest-growing consumer demographic. Perennial's beverage is designed for those who still consume full meals and want a supplement. The drink combines four plant proteins to make a "complete" protein like animal protein, so that it can be digested well. It contains as much protein as 2 percent dairy milk, and also includes a prebiotic fiber to aid calcium absorption, amino acids for muscle health, and an algae-based component and vitamins for brain health. "This is just the beginning for us," Bonham notes. "We really want to create a better world where folks can age into and harness the endless possibilities of plants using science, research, data, and food and sensory experiences to really innovate for healthy aging."