I’ve been to Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions, the Santa Monica Co Op, and back to Ralphs. My oft-craved Morningstar Veggie Dogs seem to have disappeared completely. I searched on Morningstar’s website and there are no traces of the Veggie Dogs or Corn Dogs ever existing. Am I living in some kind of vegetarian twilight zone?
Apparently not, a fellow blogger in Veggie Dog withdrawal took it upon herself to contact Morningstar to find out what is going on. They replied:
“We are experiencing a temporary out of stock situation with all of our veggie dog varieties due to supply issues with our co-manufacturer which has delayed production. We apologize that you won’t be able to enjoy one of your favorite products for the near future. As of this time, we do not have a specific start ship date for the veggie dogs to return to your local stores.” Read the rest of the post.
So now the question is, is it really a co-manufacturer issue, or have I been eating pigs feet? Seriously, I need some Vegetarian Hot Weiners ASAP.
on Sep 2nd, 2009
[...] summer, and my old carnivore habits of summer hot dogs are coming out. Since Morningstar has temporarily removed their veggie dogs from the menu, I’ve switched to Yves tofu dogs, and really I can’t tell the [...]
on Sep 10th, 2009
This is what I was sent.
Ms. Kill,
Thank you for contacting us regarding Morningstar Farms® America’s Original Veggie Dogs. It’s always great to hear from consumers who are trying to find our products because it lets us know how much you enjoy them.
We are sorry to tell you that this product was discontinued. We understand that you enjoyed Morningstar Farms® America’s Original Veggie Dogs, but unfortunately, stores only want to stock the fastest moving products. If the stores start to discontinue an item, we find we cannot produce the smaller volumes the business demands. It is always difficult for us to make the decision to discontinue a product, as we know it is always someone’s favorite. At this time, there are no plans to reintroduce it.
We know that it will be hard to find a replacement, but we are always developing new products so we are sure that you will soon find another favorite! We suggest trying Worthington® Loma Linda Linketts® protein links and are sending you a coupon to use towards the purchase. Please allow 7-10 business days for delivery.
Please be assured that your wish to have this product back on store shelves has been shared with the appropriate department. We appreciate your interest and loyalty to our brands and trust that we will continue to meet your needs for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Nancy Lopez
Consumer Affairs Department
on Sep 20th, 2009
I think they are definitely hiding something, the corn dogs were popular among meat eaters too! I need a good veggie dog ASAP!
on Oct 26th, 2009
Okay, so Morningstar discontinued veggie dogs and veggie steak strips; my favorites. Then they discontinued the Gardenburger BBQ Riblets and replaced them with the Morningstar BBQ Riblets – “same recipe” they say. I beg to differ with them. Hey guys, the Italian sausages and the Grillers Prime are very tasty. You might want to work on discontinuing them as well. Who the heck makes these decisions?
on Oct 28th, 2009
…but those sausages have a lot more fat than the veggie dogs did. (for those of us concerned with fat content)
on Nov 2nd, 2009
MorningStar Farms veggie dogs/corn dogs were the only ones with the flavor and texture of the real thing; the others are blander and softer. I ate MSF veggie dogs regularly for years, until they disappeared. Considering that they were sometimes out of stock at the stores where I shop, I doubt the “limited demand” story.
LightLife Smart Dogs and Yves Good Dogs are OK, but not as good as MorningStar (again, blander and softer). Due to terrible flavor and texture, the following products should be avoided:
1.) LightLife Tofu Pups (with their orange color, they don't even LOOK appetizing)
2.) ALL Loma Linda products, which are canned. I tried the protein links mentioned below once, and (even though I hate to waste food) threw most of them away.
3.) I like MSF “chicken” products and tomato/basil burgers, but have tried and now avoid the sausage products. In order to be good and crisp, sausage NEEDS a high fat content!
PLEASE BRING BACK MORNINGSTAR FARMS VEGGIE DOGS!
on Nov 3rd, 2009
I am a restaurant owner who served MorningStar brand veggie dogs. I contacted the rep at a recent food show. MorningStar and GardenBurger production was combined into one plant. They did not have capacity to produces all of their lines of veggie products so the dogs went by the wayside. There will be no more MorningStar Veggie Dogs at any time in the near future.
on Nov 3rd, 2009
Thanks for that info, Carmen. Did you sell larger versions of the grocery-store version or the same size? What are you replacing them with? For now, I will use Tofurkey's Chipotle dogs and vegan dogs. http://www.tofurky.com/tofurkyproducts/franks.html
They really don't taste like hot dogs, but at least they have some flavor, unlike, in my opinion, the LightLife and Yves products. This really sucks. The question is, is this something worth setting up a “bring back the veggie dogs” website over?
on Nov 3rd, 2009
I am a restaurant owner who served MorningStar brand veggie dogs. I contacted the rep at a recent food show. MorningStar and GardenBurger production was combined into one plant. They did not have capacity to produces all of their lines of veggie products so the dogs went by the wayside. There will be no more MorningStar Veggie Dogs at any time in the near future.
on Nov 3rd, 2009
Thanks for that info, Carmen. Did you sell larger versions of the grocery-store version or the same size? What are you replacing them with? For now, I will use Tofurkey's Chipotle dogs and vegan dogs. http://www.tofurky.com/tofurkyproducts/franks.html
They really don't taste like hot dogs, but at least they have some flavor, unlike, in my opinion, the LightLife and Yves products. This really sucks. The question is, is this something worth setting up a “bring back the veggie dogs” website over?
on Nov 16th, 2009
That is so nice, good blog info.
on Dec 10th, 2009
I've still yet to find a veggie dog I like. Step it up Morningstar!
on Jan 3rd, 2010
I'm ticked!!! Bring back our Veggie dogs!!! I am going to write a letter of protest as well and suggest others do the same.
on Mar 3rd, 2010
I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE MORNINGSTAR VEGGIE DOG WAS A SLOW MOVING PRODUCT. EVEN BEFORE THE VEGGIE DOGS WERE DISCONTINUED, THEY WERE DIFFICULT TO FIND BECAUSE OF THEIR POPULARITY. TO INSURE THAT I HAD AN AMPLE SUPPLY, I WOULD ADEQUATELY STOCK UP AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE I FOUND THEM TO BE THE BEST ON THE MARKET, & I HAVE TRIED THEM ALL. PERHAPS YOU CAN MAKE THAT PRODUCT AVAILABLE TO AN INTERESTED VENDOR, SO THAT WE ARE NO LONGER DEPRIVED.
on Mar 29th, 2010
I am so upset that veggie dogs have been discontinued! I probably ate 3 a day everyday every summer. They are my favorite of all veggie foods! I have travelled to multiple grocery stores on several occasions just to find them, so I highly doubt the excuse that this product is not popular. My meat eating boyfriend ate these as often as I did! I am not concerned that there was some sort of meat in this product… Whether it's actual meat, or meat flavoring, I want to know!
on Apr 6th, 2010
Thank you for contacting us about Morningstar Farms® America's Original Veggie Dogs and Corn Dogs. We are happy to know that you enjoyed them.
Our veggie dogs have been out of stock for several months due to supplier issues. We strive to provide our consumers with healthy, wholesome products 100% of the time. Several months ago, we conducted an audit and our supplier did not meet the expectations we set forth in manufacturing the product. We provided the supplier an opportunity to meet our standards, however the goals were not met. Rather than providing our consumers with a product we considered unsatisfactory, we decided to not provide a product at all. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure an appropriate facility to manufacture them. It is always difficult for us to make the decision to discontinue a product, as we know it is always someone's favorite. At this time, there are no plans to reintroduce these items.
on May 27th, 2010
Please do not tell me we can never get your Veggie Dogs again!!! They were the only kind of hot dogs I would eat all summer long!!!
Do you think they will be back in the stores someday? If not then please suggest something as good as them…without eating meat!!!
on Jun 6th, 2010
Oh My God…I thought I was going crazy. I have searched high and low for them. They were my favorite, none of the other dogs on the market can compare. These have the best taste and texture. I am so sad….
on Jul 11th, 2010
Please hurry! Your Veggie Dog is my favorite meatless hot dog. I've tried others – Smart Pups /Puppys, Boca, Yves, etc. For me and my family, Morning Star Veggie Dogs are the best.
Thank you.
on Jul 11th, 2010
I don't like the Italian Sausage as a hot dog. I tried it and ended up using then in soup. Angie