This Week in Food News: Reese’s Keeps Coming With Vegan Options, Beyond’s Protein Drink, and Costco’s New Drop

We’re only a few weeks into 2026, and it’s already shaping up to be an exciting year for vegan food. Peet’s Coffee has added pistachio milk to its winter menu, Salt & Straw is offering a dairy-free ice cream cake, and Caribou Coffee has dropped its plant-based milk upcharge. Wins all around.

And the good news doesn’t stop there. This week, Beyond Meat surprised everyone with the announcement of a brand-new venture, and New York welcomed a new vegan restaurant we’re already drooling over. Keep reading for the full lowdown in this week’s food news.

Beyond Meat protein drinksBeyond steps into the functional beverage category with the launch of Beyond Immerse.

Beyond Meat has expanded into protein drinks

It’s been nearly a decade since Beyond Meat hit the market with its pioneering, juicy, meat-like bleeding burgers. Since then, it has sold millions of patties all over the world and expanded into new areas like vegan chicken and sausages. Now, rebranded as Beyond, it’s venturing into an entirely new space: protein drinks.

The California-based brand recently revealed Beyond Immerse, a new line of beverages that are packed with protein, as well as fiber, antioxidants, and electrolytes. The beverages will initially be available in three flavors—Peach Mango, Lemon Lime, and Orange Tangerine—and are available to purchase directly from the Beyond Test Kitchen.

“With Beyond Immerse, we are bringing our pioneering expertise in unlocking the power of plants to a functional beverage line,” said CEO and founder Ethan Brown. “Beyond Immerse has been specially and carefully designed to provide nutrients that are critical to muscle health, gut health, and immune function, so that whatever the goal is, consumers can go Beyond.” 

strawberry peanut butter-filled pretzelsReese’s new pretzel bites are a snackable take on classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. | Brienna Renee

Reese’s just launched a new vegan-friendly snack

We were very excited to cover the recent news that Reese’s vegan-friendly Oreos are now a permanent fixture on grocery store shelves. And we’re equally as excited to reveal that the vegan-friendly snacks just keep coming from the iconic peanut butter cup brand.

Reese’s has just dropped new limited-edition strawberry peanut butter-filled pretzels, and they’re completely animal-free. Keep an eye out next time you’re grocery shopping to give them a taste test — they’ve recently been spotted in Target.

Daily Harvest  protein oat bowlMidwest Costco customers can now find Daily Harvest’s new product in stores.

First-ever vegan frozen protein oat bowls land in Costco

Daily Harvest is shifting away from its delivery-only business model. The brand has expanded into retail and recently launched its first frozen protein oat bowls at Costco stores in the Midwest. Made with organic fruits, the Apple Cinnamon Protein Oat Bowl is packed with 16 grams of protein and seven grams of fiber, making it the first product of its kind in the frozen food space. While overnight oats are simple enough to make at home, this launch makes high-fiber mornings easier than ever.

Long CountLong Count promises aged wines and delicious vegan dishes built around focaccia. | Facebook

New York just got a new vegan wine and focaccia bar

As if we needed another reason to love New York, vegan hospitality group Overthrow Hospitality has opened a new wine and focaccia bar called Long Count in the East Village. The intimate space—formerly home to the relocated Soda Club—features aged wines and inventive, fermentation-forward dishes like sourdough focaccia, papadam with salt and apple cider vinegar, and arancini topped with tempeh parmesan. All of the wines on the menu are at least 10 years old. Expect jazz and soul soundtracks, candlelit dining, and plenty of atmosphere. Count us in, Long Count.

Califia Farms soy milkSoy milk is just one of Califia Farms’ newest products. | Califia Farms

Califia Farms launches new simple soy milk with just 3 ingredients

Lately, consumers have been gravitating toward more minimally processed products, and Califia Farms is happy to oblige. Its new soy milk is made with just three ingredients—organic soybeans, water, and sea salt—yet still delivers eight grams of plant protein per serving.

That’s not all. The brand has also rolled out new dairy-free creamers and coffee blends, including Simple & Organic Sweet Crème Almond Creamer, Simple & Organic Salted Caramel Almond Creamer, Vanilla Cold Brew With Almondmilk, Unsweetened Matcha with Almondmilk, and Brown Sugar Cold Brew With Almondmilk.

Your morning coffee routine just got a lot easier—and tastier. 

Starr Edwards cookbookBitchin’ Sauce founder Starr Edwards has a new vegan cookbook celebrating all things sauce. | Bitchin’ Sauce

Bitchin’ Sauce founder to release new vegan cookbook

Do you love Bitchin’ Sauce so much you wish you could have an endless supply at home? That dream could (sort of) become a reality. The brand’s founder, Starr Edwards, has released a new cookbook titled Sauced: 30 Totally Bitchin’ Bowls. The book was inspired by Edwards’ personal challenge to eat only Bitchin’ Bowls for 30 days. She loved the journey so much that she wanted to share it with everyone.

“Sauced is about trusting your instincts in the kitchen, adding a dash and a splash until you feel it in your soul, and discovering just how versatile and satisfying saucing all your meals can be,” said Edwards. 

This post was originally published on VegNews.com.