Plant-based food brand More Than Meat is launching two new products, a chorizo sausage and a joint of lamb, developed to help foodservice companies to easily offer more healthy vegan menu options. The Meat range uses a blend of plant-proteins and wholefoods to create foods that are high-protein and free from cholesterol, eggs, dairy and meat and low in fats.
The number of vegans in GB has soared by 360 per cent in the last decade, prompting high street chains including Pret a Manger, Zizzi, and JD Wetherspoon to add plant-based offerings to their menu, to capitalise on the growing movement. An increase in the number of people adopting a ‘flexitarian’ or ‘meat reducing’ diet means more and more people are looking to spend their money on non-animal protein-based meals more than once per week.
Barry Honeycombe, the founder of More Than Meat, has developed two new products specifically to enable companies to create their own delicious dishes easily, conveniently and quickly. He says: “Our new foodservice products effectively fast track and empower chefs to quickly create their own unique range of plant-based/vegan offerings for their customers. For example our Vegan Chorizo Sausage can be used cold in sandwiches and salads or hot in a variety of dishes including wraps, Panini or any recipe where that unmistakable smoky, piquant tomato flavour and mild chilli hit would enhance the dish. Our vegan “lamb” can be used to create a huge variety of options including: shepherd’s pie, moussaka, tagines, curries, kebabs or even a traditional roast lamb and gravy. The lamb is delivered along with the concentrated stock that can be used to enhance the flavour of the final dish. The team at More Than Meat are also available to provide support and ideas for dishes using these products.
“Our goal is to make it easy for food service businesses to be able to provide delicious and healthy vegan dishes that reflect their personality and their business for their customers. The products have already been hit with our customers driving more repeat business and ensuring that these businesses secure their share of the lucrative and growing vegan and plant-based market. Based on the numbers of vegans in the UK, we estimate that an average typical food service businesses that do not offer vegan alternatives are potentially losing between two to five meal orders per day, assuming a modest footfall of approximately 100 customers per day per outlet.
“Taking a conservative estimate that two additional food purchases would net, £30 at a gross profit margin of 50% that’s an additional £15 per outlet per day, or nearly £5,400 per year in additional profit.”