Tyson Foods will introduce plant-based chicken nuggets this summer under a new brand called Raised & Rooted. The company is also looking to add a burger to the line, made with a blend of Angus beef and pea protein.

Beyond Meat makes its Beyond Burger using pea protein because its a plentiful source of plant-based protein that isn't from soybeans, but that could change in the future, CEO Ethan Brown said. "You can get protein from any number of resources, and one of the products I'm really excited about is our breakfast sausage that is protein from sunflower seeds and protein from mung beans and protein from brown rice as well as pea protein," he said.

Tyson Foods has divested its 6.5% interest in plant-based meat producer Beyond Meat, which this week filed for an initial public offering. "Tyson Ventures is pleased with the investment in Beyond Meat and has decided the time is right to exit. ... [Tyson] plans to launch an alternative protein product soon with market testing anticipated this summer," said Tyson spokesman Worth Sparkman.

Following recent investments in entrepreneurial firms such as lab-made meat startup Memphis Meats, Tyson Foods is evolving its profile with an eye toward the future. "At Tyson Foods, we're creating a modern food company focused on protein," said CEO Tom Hayes.

Even after investing in plant-based startup Beyond Meat, Tyson Foods CEO Tom Hayes is committed to a strong role for both plant-based and animal proteins, and stands firm about Tyson's place in the market. "We won't apologize for being 'Big Food,'" Hayes said. "'Big Food' can feed the world."