JOYN Foods blends mushrooms and meat to cut costs and boost profits

JOYN Foods, a startup specializing in blended meat solutions, is gaining traction in universities, hotels, corporate cafeterias, and now K-12 schools in South Carolina. The company expects to triple revenues in 2026 and reach EBITDA positivity in early 2027, according to cofounder and CEO Shalom Daniel. Founded in Israel in 2021 as Mush Foods and now based in the US, JOYN Foods supplies frozen mycelium from edible mushroom strains under its 50CUT brand, which can be mixed with meat to reduce costs, improve nutrition, and support ESG goals.

“My ingredient costs 25% sometimes even 30% less than the cheapest beef you can find in the US. I’m not trying to save cows or the planet. I’m here to solve pain points for the industry,” Daniel told AgFunderNews after the company received approval from the South Carolina Purchasing Alliance, allowing school districts statewide to purchase its product.

Asset-light production drives efficiency

Unlike competitors such as Quorn, ENOUGH Food, and The Better Meat Co, which rely on submerged fermentation in bioreactors, JOYN Foods uses an asset-light model. Indoor farmers grow the edible mushroom strains in trays via solid-state fermentation, and co-manufacturers roast, grind, and freeze the material before blending it with meat.

Daniel explains that mushroom mycelium performs better than other plant proteins in blended meat because it absorbs water and fat naturally, acts as a binder, and retains a meaty flavor without masking. “Our product binds to meat without needing binding agents such as eggs, breadcrumbs, or methylcellulose,” he said.

Optimizing fungi for foodservice needs

JOYN Foods customizes its mushroom strains for beef, chicken, and pork while balancing moisture and protein levels. The startup also uses upcycled substrates such as wood chips and beer waste to optimize nutrient content and yield. “We’ve optimized for yield and protein levels,” Daniel said, noting that using edible mushroom strains avoids legal complications associated with alternative fungal terms.

Rapid adoption and strong growth

Currently generating over $250,000 in monthly sales with double-digit month-over-month growth, JOYN Foods partners with Sysco, US Foods, Compass Group, and corporate clients including Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, American Express, and Citibank. Approval by the South Carolina Purchasing Alliance marks JOYN Foods’ entry into K-12 school cafeterias, a major market for ground beef.

Daniel emphasized the company’s financial strategy: “We’re already at gross margins of over 30% and we have a path to get them higher. Every cent we are saving in cost, let’s keep half for ourselves and half to our clients. In terms of EBITDA, we’re going to be positive early next year.”

With a total of $10 million raised to date and a lean, capital-efficient approach, JOYN Foods is well-positioned to scale its blended protein solution while remaining profitable and competitive.