UK retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has expanded its vegan offering to capitalise on the surging interest in meat-free foods.
The retailer introduced its new ‘Plant Kitchen’ range, which offers more than 60 meat- and dairy-free meals and products.
Some of the new meals include cauliflower popcorn, no beef burgers, no pork sausages, and vegan-friendly sourdough pizza.
The dishes span on-the-go sandwiches and grain bowls, hearty quick-fix suppers, plus staples like substitute mince and nut milk.
Veganuary
According to M&S, one in five households now cook for a vegetarian or flexitarian, with another 60% of consumers simply looking to eat less red meat.
“This is the year we’ll truly see plant-based food go mainstream,” said April Preston, Director of Product Development at M&S.
“We’re thrilled we’ve created a range which tastes as good as you’d expect from M&S, but is also vegan-friendly, so finally people don’t have to compromise on taste.”
Claire Richardson, M&S’s resident vegan, who created and prepared the Plant Kitchen meals, has called the range “experimental and delicious”.
“We’ve created a collection that will appeal to everyone – whether you’re a longstanding vegan, want to lead a more flexitarian lifestyle or you love meat but think cauliflower popcorn sounds amazing!” she said.
“It’s all about delicious tasting food first. My favourite is the Teriyaki Tofu and Rice which is delicious and I love the kick of chilli.”
In addition to the food being good for the body, its packaging is good for the environment, with M*S replacing its black plastic trays with widely recyclable alternatives.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
