Berkeley, Calif.-based Perfect Day, a consumer biotechnology company and creator of animal-free “dairy,” says it partnered with Phoenix-based Villa Dolce to introduce “gelato” items to the foodservice industry. Through the collaboration, Villa Dolce is adding seven “gelato” flavors that incorporate Perfect Day’s animal-free “dairy” protein.

According to Perfect Day, the partnership with Villa Dolce is the company’s first entrance into foodservice and represents a new application of its animal-free “whey” protein. With less fat and lower air content, gelato relies on milk proteins for its dense texture and rich flavor, and Perfect Day delivers an animal-free option that lives up to Villa Dolce’s standards.

The new “gelato” flavors using Perfect Day ingredients include Sea Salt Vanilla & Honeycomb, Caramel Cold Brew, Chocolate all’Arancia, Strawberry After Dark, Burnt Caramel Praline, Pistachio Latte, and Tahitian Vanilla Bean. The products will be available through DOT foods, North America's largest food industry redistributor, which has stocked the seven-flavor collection of Villa Dolce x Perfect Day —offering it to over 2,000 distributor customers nationwide, Perfect Day says.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our foodservice partners an option that can meet their need for sustainable animal-free products, without compromising the taste and texture we are known for. We’ve been looking for a solution that lives up the Villa Dolce name, and we’ve found it through Perfect Day,” says Monte Marcaccini, Villa Dolce’s CEO.