Sodexo has partnered with Veganuary, the non-profit organisation that encourages people to go vegan for the month of January. In the UK there are a growing number of flexitarians who want to reduce their meat consumption.
The global services company has contracts throughout the public sector at schools, hospitals and universities. In response to the growing demand Sodexo will offer additional plant-based dishes throughout January and beyond. The vegan menu will include ‘tofush and chips’ and ‘fake and ale pie’.
David Mulcahy, culinary ambassador at Sodexo, said: “We know that there are growing numbers of people turning to plant-based diets to improve their health and reduce their impact on the environment. We also know from our own Global Workplace Study that 80% of employees think having access to vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian options in the workplace is important.
“We are increasingly adding plant-based meals to our offers, and Veganuary is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on them to bring them to the attention of people who might not otherwise try them.
“We’ve created exciting menus that feature dishes that people might usually associate with meat to help make plant-based foods more accessible to a wide range of our customers, and we hope that this will encourage customers to introduce more vegan foods in their diets beyond their New Year health kick.”
Some of the vegan dishes will feature ingredients from the Future 50 Foods identified by environmental charity WWF and Knorr as being the most sustainable for the planet.
Later this month Sodexo chefs will meet with WWF and The Humane Society at an event to discuss veganism and the rise in popularity of flexitarianism.
Toni Vernelli, head of communications at Veganuary, added: “We know from our participant surveys that most people want to eat more plant-based foods to help reduce their environmental impact, but often do not know what options are available or are hesitant to try unfamiliar foods.
“That’s why it is so important that major food service providers like Sodexo embrace Veganuary and use it as an opportunity to showcase their existing vegan options and introduce new ones that look and taste similar to traditional meat dishes."