Monday, December 4, 2023

Public sector catering and alt-protein at the centre of vegan food event

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Plant Based World Europe will offer public sector professionals the chance to discover the vegan industry’s innovations and shed a light on protein alternatives.

Europe’s first dedicated vegan food event, Plant Based World Europe, will feature protein alternatives and public sector catering as strong themes. With poor diets contributing to the UK’s mounting public health crisis, vegan food is becoming increasingly important in public sector catering.

Devil’s Kitchen, a vegan food manufacturer backed by renewable energy company Ecotricity, will be joining the event to showcase its Little Green Devils brand. It was among the first in the UK to offer vegan, centre-of-plate foods made especially for children. Its products have been selected for over 2,000 school menus in the UK.

Quorn will be showcasing its products in a high street-inspired fashion, which can easily be adapted for both secondary and university education. The alt-meat giant will also have one of its biggest product launches at the event.

Better Nature will highlight the advantages of tempeh, which is high in protein, fibre and essential micronutrients. Jack & Bry will be sharing its plant-based meat made from jackfruit, but its line also includes beef mince, sausages, pepperoni, chorizo, burgers, chicken nuggets, fish fingers, ham, and bacon, all of which are made using a wholefood as the main ingredient.

Read our story on how Plant Based World Europe came about.

The event also has a Culinary Theatre where brands can showcase their new food samples, as well as multiple seminars designed to explore why embracing plant-based eating throughout public sector catering has the power to transform public health and satisfy palettes across the nation.

Shireen Kassam, founder and director of Plant Based Health Professionals UK, said: “As a healthcare professional, I feel strongly that the food we serve in public spaces, including hospitals and schools, should promote a healthy lifestyle and be sustainable for both people and the planet. The simplest way to achieve this is by showcasing the foods that are most consistently associated with good health — fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

“Plant Based World is bringing together all aspects of the food system, from farm to fork, and opening up the conversation about the science behind plant-based eating, as well as introducing visitors to new foods that can help us to improve personal health, whilst also benefiting animals and the environment.”

Sean Mackenney, programme manager at Forward Food, Humane Society International, said: “We are reaching a point where everyone knows that there is a problem with our food system and that there is an alternative. Public sector professionals are key to bringing about positive change as they provide food for so many people and, as a result, have a strong influence over their diets.

“Plant Based World Europe will bring together a wide range of experts, from healthcare professionals to environmentalists, to open up the conversation and make plant-based eating more accessible for the public sector. With exhibitors from across the globe demonstrating their ground-breaking new products and the opportunity to network with world-leading experts and suppliers, the show is the perfect place to meet new people, discover the foods currently on offer, and learn more about taking a holistic approach to plant-based living.”

Plant Based World Europe will be held on April 8 and 9 at London’s Business Design Centre.

Anay Mridul
Anay is journalism graduate from City, University of London, he was a barista for three years, and never shuts up about coffee. He's passionate about coffee, plant-based milk, cooking, eating, veganism, writing about all that, profiling people, and the Oxford Comma. Originally from India, he went vegan in 2020, after attempting (and failing) Veganuary. He believes being environmentally conscious is a basic responsibility, and veganism is the best thing you can do to battle climate change. He gets lost at Whole Foods sometimes.