Dandies Marshmallows (a product of Chicago Vegan Foods) got its start when its cofounder, President and Resident Engineer Ryan Howard, wanted his son to try a marshmallow for the first time. But his son, who was a vegan since birth, was not to consume traditional marshmallows, which contain gelatin, an animal-based ingredient. So it was time for Howard, being a food process engineer, to come up with an alternative, truly vegan marshmallow—which he did in his test kitchen in April of 2008. He called the marshmallows Dandies.

A growing segment of consumers are relying less on animal proteins such as beef, poultry, pork or seafood when it comes to meeting their nutrition needs.

The increase in vegetarianism and flexitarianism has made the meat alternatives market a competitive and lucrative space, according to market research publisher Packaged Facts, New York. In the report “Proteins - Classic, Alternative and Exotic Sources: Culinary Trend Tracking Series,” 28% of respondents indicated they are seeking vegetarian sources of protein, which span a healthy range of products from beans and legumes to "fake meat."