Not being able to "parse" the above comment is on you, not its author. When else have you heard the goings-on at Maple Leaf Meat Co? That's right, never. Further, in what other context has someone expressed "very encouraging" (the grandparent) about a meat producer? Exceptionally rare, the only news meat producers make is as the cause of some environmental, labor, or health disaster.

Look, they don't care much about PR among consumers, they don't sell to them. But it is nice to be in the news for something positive for a change. PR within the food-supply industry, now that IS important, and this will certainly make news there, perhaps repositioning this company as a market pioneer. But the real reason they are adding plantburgers to their offerings is because purchasers, in virtually every industry, prefer (often mandated) to reduce the number of suppliers and consolidate orders. Maple Leaf wants to continue to provide one-stop shopping to its customers, it knows its meat orders are at risk if customers have to go elsewhere for these plantburgers. They obviously have seen more demand, or at least inquiries, and they are filling that need.