Plant-based meat was supposed to save the pIanet, make people healthier, and liberate enslaved cows, chickens, and pigs everywhere. Instead, after an impressive start, folks have learned some hard truths about the industry and are turning away in droves.
Once consumers began to Iearn that plant-based meats were still super processed, not nearly as healthy as advertised, and required an enormous amount of machinery to produce hungry consumers largely decided that the old-school options, nameIy chickens, pigs, and cows, were better tasting and better for you.
The biggest player in the industry, Beyond Meat, released its third-quarter numbers in November of 2023, and they taste worse than ersatz ground beef. Net revenue slid, declining 8.7% year-over-year and 26% versus the previous quarter.
It wasn’t all bad news, however, as the company actually achieved free cash flow for the quarter but does not expect that to be the case in the fourth quarter. One anaIyst at the firm TD Cowen took it a step further and said the firm is in ‘survival mode’ and will need to tap the financial markets in 2024 to maintain operations.
Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown said: We anticipated a modest return to growth in the third quarter of 2023 that did not occur. Though we are encouraged by pockets of growth, particulariy in the EU where we saw double digit gains in net revenues on a year-over-year basis, we are disappointed by our overall results as we continue to experience worsening sector-specific and broader consumer headwinds. Beyond Meat has cited numerous reasons for its poor performance, inciuding declining foodservice sales and flagging American retail sales, but declined to suggest the possibility that the product just isn’t that good.
A Woman “Married” to a Ragdoll Gives Birth to Twins, Shares Pregnancy Story
A woman, 39, tied the knot with her ideal husband, who happens to be a ragdoll. They had a grand wedding. The couple is now parents to twin babies and are overjoyed. The woman is sharing how her life has been transformed since becoming a mother and how her unique family is doing.
An unusual marriage.
Meirivone Rocha Moraes had given up on finding a faithful and honest partner. Her unsuccessful search disheartened her. After hearing her daughter’s woes, Meirivone’s mother decided to step in.
She crafted a life-sized ragdoll named “Marcelo” for Meirivone. Surprisingly, Meirivone fell in love with Marcelo. They exchanged vows in a charming ceremony, both looking their finest.
They were happy to expand their family.
A year after welcoming their son Marcelinho, the family with a unique story shared the news of expecting another child. Meirivone and her ragdoll husband, Marcelo, embrace the unexpected joys of their life together.
They threw a vibrant gender reveal party among loved ones, where a burst of pink smoke on social media signaled the anticipated arrival of their daughter, Marcela. However, it turned out that Meirivone was blessed with twins.
They both make efforts to raise the children.
In the home of Meirivone and Marcelo, everyone contributes to the family, even the ragdoll father and the toy children. The arrival of the twins has brought twice the activity and emotions. Marcelo, despite being a ragdoll, is portrayed as sharing in the daily care, helping with tasks like bathing, feeding, and putting the children to sleep.
The twins made it harder for the family to sustain.
Marcelo, the ragdoll father, feels the pressure as his family’s needs grow, including more food, clothing, and healthcare costs. Yet, his aspiration to have a loving family with children keeps him going, turning each obstacle into a step closer to his ideal life.
Marcelo and Meirivone have big dreams for their family, including owning their own home. Marcelo has been consistently looking online for a house since they got married, Meirivone notes. They remain committed to this goal through all the highs and lows.
The family also faced some struggles.
Their family’s story took a tense turn when Meirivone reported that their son Marcelinho was kidnapped and held for ransom. The intense search efforts, which involved social media and local community outreach, brought a new level of drama to their lives. Thankfully, Marcelinho was found unharmed.
Meirivone has had her share of troubles, too, having accused Marcelo of being unfaithful twice, based on a text from a friend. This revelation upset her greatly, leading her to have Marcelo sleep separately. Despite these issues, their relationship is now stronger than before.
In related news, another woman has gained attention for her collection of doll children, investing $7.5K in 13 artificial infants. Read her story here.
Preview photo credit meirivone_santinha / Instagram, meirivone_santinha / Instagram, meirivone_santinha / Instagram
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