Food & Beverage

Prime Roots offering 'slice of the future' to delis, pizzerias

Photo: Prime Roots

July 17, 2025

A new wave of plant-based deli meats is making its way to commercial slicers, offering sandwich shops and pizza brands a way to serve up options that even meat-eaters prefer. Prime Roots, a Berkeley-based food tech company, has launched an upgraded line of "deli-style" meats made from a proprietary fungi-based protein.

The fresh-sliced alternatives were chosen over traditional meat by a majority of meat-eaters in recent blind taste tests, founder Kimberlie Le said in a company press release.

The product line, which includes options like Smoked Turkey, Salami and Cupping Pizza Pepperoni, is designed to be sliced fresh at the deli counter, making it a seamless fit for restaurants and delis. This approach not only expands their menu but also taps into a growing consumer demand for healthier, clean-label alternatives.

Le said its products are a major leap forward, not just in taste and texture, but in nutritional value. Unlike many traditional deli meats, these are nitrate-free, cholesterol-free, and packed with complete protein. Some retail partners have seen Prime Roots products drive a 20% increase in deli sales, signaling that this isn't just a niche market — it's a category driver.

Prime Roots' products are now available at hundreds of locations across over 30 states.