Central Foods, a Northamptonshire, England-based frozen food distributor, has expanded vegan options for foodservice customers. Introduction of the KaterVeg! Vegan Quarterpounder, Vegan Meatballs, Vegan Sausage and the Vegan Banger follows the successful launch of KaterVeg! Vegan Mince in the United Kingdom last year.
Promoted as “perfect for serving across the whole foodservice sector,” the new products are made with seasoned textured soya protein and are high in protein, low in saturated fat and sugar, a good source of fiber and have salt levels below PHE 2024 targets.
“Vegan and plant-based options continue to rise in popularity and all the indications are that this trend will carry on once we’re through the pandemic. CGS’s MealMetrics service has predicted that consumers’ focus on health during lockdown is likely to make vegan and vegetarian options more prominent on menus,” said Managing Director Gordon Lauder.
Some 6% of Brits already follow a meat-free diet and CGA’s separate BrandTrack research found that a quarter of the population is seeking to cut meat consumption. According to Mintel, approximately 25% of young British millennials say that the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has made a vegan diet more appealing, while the survey last year also revealed that since the start of the Covid-19 health crisis a vegan diet was proving more attractive to around 12% of Brits, rising to more than 20% of Londoners.
In addition, a survey by The Vegan Society last year found that one in five consumers in Britain has cut down on meat consumption during the coronavirus pandemic.
The new products are the latest additions to an extensive range of plant-based options distributed by Central Foods. They offer foodservice operators an easy way to serve meat-free menu swaps for popular and traditional culinary options. For example, the burger may be featured in a gourmet bun with crunchy salad, while vegan sausages work well in a hot cassoulet or when served with mash and gravy. The vegan meatballs may be utilized as a pizza topping or added to a sub roll for a hot snack.
Weighing in at 28 grams, the KaterVeg! Vegan Banger has been designed for children’s portions and is ideal for schools, as well as outlets offering special menus for youngsters.
“We believe that vegan and plant-based options will continue to be one of the top trends for 2021, fueled not only by the increasing number of vegans but also by those who are reducing their meat intake and choosing a flexitarian diet for health and environmental reasons,” said Lauder.
