In the heart of Tetouan, Spain, a novel agricultural venture is taking root – Isifarmer, a vertical veggie farming operation is about to shake up the snack vegetable market.
Source: Isifarmer
Operating out of a converted gymnasium, Isifarmer’s founders, Ángel Leo-Revilla and Marcos Enríquez, are on a mission to show urban farming doesn’t have to rely on sprawling mega-facilities. Their vision benefits both the community and the local economy.
Isifarmer’s initial focus has been on cultivating a diverse range of microgreens, boasting varieties like basil, arugula (rocket) , Chinese radishes, and various mustards.
The rapid growth of these microgreens, ready for consumption within just 10-12 days, has allowed the team to swiftly refine their farming techniques.
Yet, the exciting twist in this veggie tale lies in Isifarmer’s plans for the future. Ángel Leo-Revilla hints at a tantalizing next phase, promising an array of snack-type vegetables that will soon be growing in their vertical farm.
Picture succulent cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, earthy mushrooms, and sweet strawberries, all cultivated with precision. And the story doesn’t end there; Isifarmer envisions expanding into leafy greens like lettuce, endive, and spinach.
Source: Isifarmer
Isifarmer is laser-focused on producing premium, high-quality products destined for discerning consumers including the GenZ group who like to eat healthy food on the run.
Isifarmer’s is on the brink of reshaping the Spanish snack vegetable market, one vertical farm at a time.
Market research firm Mintel, has revealed three pivotal food and drink industry trends set to influence these sectors in the upcoming year.
Source: PlanetFood Solutions Development Lab – Healthy Ingredients
The trends highlight a shift towards assisting consumers in leading longer, healthier lives, finding a balance between health and indulgence, and harnessing new conveniences offered by technological advancements.
Source: Mintel
Trust the Process Transparency in communication will play a vital role in aiding consumers to make well-informed choices regarding processed and ultra-processed foods and beverages in their diets.
As scrutiny around food processing intensifies, consumers are expected to scrutinize ingredients, nutrition, and production methods more closely. This scrutiny will pave the way for an increased demand for minimally processed products, emphasising the positive aspects of food-processing techniques.
Brands will need to share how processing benefits their products, such as enhancing nutrition, prolonging shelf life, or minimizing environmental impact.
Source: Kinda & PFS Development Labs
Age Reframed The perception of healthy aging will undergo a transformation, challenging existing stigmas and focusing on extending the healthy years of consumers’ lives.
Brands will need to innovate products and solutions catering to the physical, mental, and emotional health needs of consumers aged 40 and above, who represent a significant share of food and drink expenditure globally.
Eating, Optimised The post-pandemic world will see a new era of convenience, as technology plays an increasingly crucial role in streamlining meal planning, shopping, and cooking.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) will become indispensable tools in the kitchen, offering time-saving solutions and personalized assistance for consumers.
Retailers will also embrace these technologies, providing real-time shopping assistance and localized data to offer customized vending options catering to community needs.
Jenny Zegler, Director at Mintel Food & Drink, emphasises the importance of brands playing a supportive role in helping consumers find balance in their lives, prepare for a healthier future, and embrace the conveniences offered by technological innovations.
The Plant Based World Expo Europe 2023 coming up at the Excel in London is delivering an array of new products challenging preconceptions about vegan cuisine. Four new products do just this – challenge!
Firstly Aberyne is debuting a plant-based version of Foie Gras, traditionally associated with force-fed ducks, providing an ethical alternative with rich flavours guaranteed to trick the mind that this is the old world version.
Source: Plant Based World Expo – foi green
There’s Dreamfarm with a fresh plant-based mozzarella suitable for slicing into caprese salads, expanding options for vegan-friendly cheese.
Source: Plant Based World Expo – Dreamfarm
Followed by Purezza specialising in a creamy stracciatella cheese that authentically captures Italian flavors, perfect for pizza and more.
Source: Plant Based World Expo – Purezza
And HAPPIEE introduces calamari rings without seafood, ideal for enhancing your tapas board with a vegan twist. Tastes and feels just like it’s fishy cousin but as they say ‘same same but different’.
Source: Plant Based World Expo – HAPPIE
The Plant Based World Expo Europe 2023 15/16th November, is a chance to explore these and other fascinating innovations in plant-based cuisine.
This years event promises to broaden your culinary horizons and challenge traditional culinary boundaries, highlighting the growing diversity of Earth, animal and ocean vegan friendly options.
As the holiday season approaches, families across the globe eagerly plan for their Christmas feasts, replete with roast turkeys, glazed hams, and succulent roasts.
Yet, beneath the festive cheer and the spirit of giving, a disquieting paradox emerges; the incongruity of having meat on the Christmas table during a time synonymous with love and good will.
Christmas, traditionally a celebration of birth and new beginnings, stands as a beacon of compassion and unity. Families gather to exchange gifts, share laughter, and reflect on the values of peace and kindness.
However, the presence of meat, often associated with the sacrifice of animals, poses a perplexing question: Can love and good will truly coexist with the consumption of sentient beings?
This cognitive dissonance calls for introspection. In a world where empathy and environmental consciousness are on the rise, the juxtaposition of celebrating love and compassion with the slaughter of animals for festive meals becomes increasingly incongruous.
The availability of plant-based roasts, along with a plethora of wonderful plant-based recipes for Christmas, provides a compelling alternative. These cruelty-free options not only cater to the growing number of vegetarians and vegans but also offer a chance for everyone to embrace a more sustainable and compassionate holiday feast.
The good news is more and more chains are expanding their plant-based Christmas ranges. Aldi UK has just released its lineup which means there is now no excuse to stand back and let someone else be the ‘agents of change’.
Source: ALDI UK Christmas range.
From savoury mushroom Wellingtons to delectable nut roasts, these dishes not only tantalize the taste buds but also align with the values of love, good will, and empathy that Christmas embodies.
Source: ALDI UK Christmas range. Full list link below.
By incorporating these plant-based dishes into Christmas traditions, families can create a harmonious blend of festive flavours and live their sincere heartfelt values.
It’s a way to savour the season’s joy without compromising the principles of compassion and unity, ensuring the love and good will we cherish during this special time extends to all living beings, both human and animal.
Editors Note: Reuse and reproduction is encouraged with full attribution and links.
For more information and ALDI’s Vegan Christmas range. CLICK HERE
In a world grappling with consequences of climate change, a strategy is emerging that might revolutionise our approach to global warming.
Taking inspiration from the impactful graphic health warnings on cigarette packages that helped reduce smoking rates, researchers are now exploring the idea of applying similar climate warnings to meat packaging.
Source: Public Domain
With the colossal greenhouse gas emissions attributed to animal agriculture, this innovative approach could be a powerful tool in the fight against the affects of climate change.
The concept of employing graphic warnings to influence consumer choices is not entirely new. In the early 2000s, graphic health warnings on cigarette packages became widely used and proved effective in discouraging smoking.
As our planet faces unchecked planetary warming, some experts are pondering whether a similar strategy could encourage more sustainable behavior in the context of meat consumption.
As reported by the latest Time Magazine studies suggest this approach may hold promise. In a paradigm shifting experiment conducted in the United Kingdom, the inclusion of climate warning labels on meat dishes led to a 7.4% reduction in participants’ choice of meat-based meals.
This pivotal research, published in the journal Appetite, also indicates people would support policies proposing the use of warning labels.
Meat consumption carries a multitude of consequences, from an increased risk of health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer to environmental pollution, heightened greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss.
Additionally, meat production has been linked to the spread of zoonotic diseases, a concern that gained prominence during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In another study reported on by Time Magazine, led by a Jack Hughes, postgraduate researcher at the psychology department of Durham University in the UK, 1,001 adults were interviewed to determine which aspect of these concerns, climate change, or pandemic risks, would be most effective in motivating consumers to reduce meat consumption.
Participants were presented with a choice of four dinner options: meat, fish, vegetarian, and vegan. Among the groups, those exposed to warning labels saw a significant decline in meat meal selections.
The health warning label depicting someone experiencing a heart attack led to an 8.8% drop, while the climate warning label featuring deforestation imagery resulted in a 7.4% decrease. The group presented with a pandemic warning label accompanied by an image of exotic meat exhibited a remarkable 10% reduction in meat choices.
Studies have consistently demonstrated animal meat production contributes a substantial share, estimated between 14% and 20%, of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Stark warnings have been issued, if current food consumption patterns persist, the world could surpass a 1.5°C temperature increase by the end of the century, largely due to methane emissions from livestock. Shifting towards a plant-based diet, therefore, holds the potential for a significant and positive impact on our planet’s future.
By connecting individual consumer choices to the broader environmental consequences of meat consumption, this innovative approach has the potential to reshape our relationship with food and, in turn, our planet’s future.
As the cigarette companies fought against the introduction of health warning labels its pretty certain the global animal meat conglomerates will do the same.
Nestlé, the global powerhouse in the food and beverage industry, has unveiled a range of plant-based fish alternatives.
The new lineup, comprising fish fillets, sticks, and nuggets, is all set to capture the hearts of consumers with its taste, texture, and strong nutritional profile and all without the fish.
Source: Nestlé
As the world steadily pivots towards sustainable and ethical food choices, Nestlé’s innovative plant-based seafood options arrive just in time.
Torsten Pohl, the Global Head of R&D for Nestlé’s food category, is very enthusiastic about the potential success of the new ‘fishy business’ lineup.
‘The products have an uncanny resemblance to white fish in terms of taste and texture, and backed by consumer testing as well, strong nutritional credentials’, says Torsten Pohl.
Source: Nestlé
Leveraging its vast global distribution network, Nestlé’s is poised to make these fishy vegan delights available at a supermarket near you.
In Europe, under the Garden Gourmet brand, consumers can look forward to savoring the marine-style crispy fillets and nuggets, crafted from wheat and pea protein.
Simultaneously, in Asia, the Harvest Gourmet brand is already sold in Malaysia and Singapore with crispy, herb-infused fish-free fingers—a soy and wheat concoction that’s a rich source of protein and fibre.
Source: Nestlé
Massimo Zucchero, Global Category Lead for plant-based meals at Nestlé, highlighted the dual benefits of these products. ‘The product has not only a tantalising taste but importantly a step towards safeguarding our oceans’ biodiversity and addressing overfishing’, says Massimo Zucchero.
These products join the ranks of Nestlé’s existing plant-based portfolio, including the Garden Gourmet Vuna, a tuna fish alternative available since 2020.
With a commitment to balanced and sustainable diets, Nestlé is setting a new standard in the food industry, marrying taste, nutrition, and sustainability in an exciting seafood adventure. So, keep your eyes peeled and your shopping carts ready; Nestlé’s plant-based seafood is about to make a splash in a supermarket near you!
The 2023 International V-Label Awards has unveiled its prestigious shortlist, spotlighting the most innovative plant-based products from around the globe.
Source: V-Label
This year’s entries exhibit a dazzling array of innovation, showcasing everything from upcycled condiments to sustainable leather alternatives.
Nikolett Konkoly, the Awards Program Manager at V-Label, expressed enthusiasm about the diverse product submissions.
“From upcycled mayonnaise to leather made from tea or olive waste and everything in between, the diverse range of plant-based products submitted to this year’s Awards proves yet again that the plant-based landscape is flourishing with innovation’, says Nikolett Konkoly.
The Awards are divided into three main categories: sustainability, innovation, and marketing & branding. In the sustainability category, products are recognized for their efforts in reducing carbon footprints, water conservation, waste management, and sustainable sourcing.
Heura Foods’ F’sh Filet, VEGDOG’s Complete dog food, and Lidl’s Veganer Streichgenuss and Vemondo Range are among the noteworthy mentions.
Source: V-Label
In the realm of innovation, the Awards honor products redefining the boundaries of plant-based food and beverages. Heura Foods’ F’sh Fillet, Planted’s chicken Filet Natur, and TiNDLE’s plant-based range are highlighted for their contributions to the sector. The criteria for this category encompass novelty, technical complexity, and financial viability.
Source: Lidl, Germany
The marketing & branding category celebrates products that effectively communicate the benefits of plant-based living to a wider audience. TiNDLE and Lidl are both featured for their exceptional branding efforts.
Source: TiNDLE
‘Their creativity, commitment to nurturing community, and passion was palpable. It was an honor to read them and be a part of the jury process,’ says Abigail Stevens, Marketing Director at Plant Based World Expo Europe.
In the Consumers’ Choice category where more than 15,000 votes were cast the Meat Alternative vote went to Vegane Dino-Nuggets.
Source: Vegane
The diversity of the shortlist, featuring a mix of established brands and up-and-coming challengers, demonstrates the vibrant and innovative nature of the plant-based industry. With entries ranging from vegan pet food by VEGDOG to TiNDLE’s plant-based offerings and Lidl’s comprehensive range, the 2023 V-Label Awards underscore the industry’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and effective branding, testomoy to plant-based living.
UK supermarket giant Tesco has officially announced its vegan Christmas collection for 2023, catering to a wide array of tastes and preferences. Their extensive range encompasses a variety of mains, desserts, and party snacks, ensuring there is something for everyone this festive season.
In the mains category, customers can look forward to a No-Turkey Crown, available in two plant-based variants under the Plant Chef and Wicked Kitchen brands. The former comes with a herb stuffing, while the latter is adorned with a garlic melt.
Source: Tesco UK
For those seeking a twist on classic holiday flavours, the Seasonal Seeded Roasts with Port Gravy, comprising chestnuts, mushrooms, lentils, and kale, serves as an innovative option. The Mushroom & Chestnut Festive Wreath and Butternut Wellington are unique offerings, with the former being a wreath-shaped dish featuring mushrooms, chestnuts, and brown rice, and the latter being a pea protein-based delicacy surrounded by roasted butternut squash and a mushroom & herb duxelles. Rounding off the mains is the Roasted Vegetable Parcels, a flaky pastry encasing mushrooms, chestnuts, carrots, parsnips, and kale.
The party food section is equally impressive, boasting a variety of snacks such as Laksa Inspired Aromatic Cones, Mini Mediterranean Inspired Vegetable Lattices, Savoury Roll Selection, Kimchi Vegetable Crystal Rolls, Battered Bangers with Chip Shop Style Curry Sauce, Mini Katsu Inspired Bao Buns, and Paella Inspired Arancini Bites.
For those with a sweet tooth, the desserts range includes the Free From Christmas Pudding, Wicked Kitchen Spiced Rum Christmas Pudding, Tesco Finest Free From Honeycomb Bauble, Mince Pies from both Plant Chef and Free From ranges, and the Tesco Finest Stem Ginger Tiffin Cracker.
Source: Tesco UK
“Christmas is a time for friends and family to come together and celebrate, but this can often meanmany different dietary requirements around one table,” Tesco Director of Product Development, Breige Donaghy, said in a statement.
“At Tesco we have one mission – to help the entire nation have a joyful festive season. And so we have been busy developing a range of delicious new products across our Plant Chef and Free From ranges and beyond, to ensure everyone can celebrate.”
Several items from this festive vegan range are already available at Tesco stores across the UK, while others will be introduced in the upcoming weeks.
With such a comprehensive and diverse selection, Tesco continues to champion inclusive festive celebrations, ensuring vegans and those with dietary restrictions are not left off of the Christmas dinner list.
PETA UK has announced its top vegan food products for 2023, celebrating the best in plant-based innovation and taste. Among the numerous categories, the Best Vegan Meat award has captured significant attention.
Marks & Spencer has secured the Best Vegan Milk category with their Chilled British Oat Drink, presented in a traditional cow’s milk carton design but offering a creamy, oat-based alternative that’s been praised for its delightful taste.
Source: PETA UK
VFC Chick*n Stompers have once again triumphed in the Best Vegan Chicken category, following a previous win in 2021. These popular products cater to children and young vegans, offering a bird-friendly option that is sure to be a hit on their plates.
THIS Isn’t Beef Burgers have revolutionised the Best Vegan Burger category with their improved recipe, providing a beef-like experience with 30% less saturated fat and a significantly reduced carbon footprint, marking a step towards the future of plant-based eating.
Redefine Meat Beef Flank has outstandingly won the Best Vegan Meat category, impressing with its 3D-printed structure, exquisite flavour, and texture. Chefs such as Aidan Fisher and Marco Pierre White have lauded this product, with White calling it “the cleverest thing I’ve seen in almost 40 years in the kitchen.”
‘We’re ecstatic to share that Redefine Meat was honored with the PETA Vegan Food Award in the UK for the Best Vegan Meat! We’re deeply moved to receive this recognition, which highlights our commitment to providing delicious, sustainable new-meat’, says a Redifine Spokesperson.
‘Thanks to all our fans and to our amazing team for making this possible’.
The awards also celebrated other categories, including Honestly Tasty Blue for Best Vegan Cheese, Squeaky Bean Beechwood Smoked Salmon Style Slices for Best Vegan Seafood, and Sacred Grounds Poached ‘Egg’ for Best Vegan Egg. Each product stood out for its innovation, taste, and contribution to the expanding world of vegan food options.
Source: PETA UK
With an extensive range of products highlighted, from burgers and milk to cheese and seafood, the PETA UK awards for 2023 has showcased the best in vegan food, with a special emphasis on the innovative and delectable Redefine Meat Beef Flank, a deserving winner in the Best Vegan Meat category.
What Spain’s Heura Foods will do to promote its new New York style ham.Rather audacious, but the company set up a pop-up shop right opposite a long-established ‘old world’ charcuterie selling animal products.
The response was nothing short of remarkable, says Heura.
Source: Heura Foods
Dozens of enthusiastic Good Rebels, as Heura likes to call its customers, flocked to the pop-up, eager to sample and learn more about its New York style deli-ham. The contrast between the two shops couldn’t have be starker, while Heura’s pop-up was bustling with activity, the traditional charcuterie shop saw little to no foot traffic.
One of the most striking aspects of this launch was the community’s reaction. Many were amazed at the taste and quality of Heura’s plant-based ham, with reactions ranging from disbelief to sheer delight.
The most common responses were praise for the ability to enjoy favorite foods in a more sustainable and ethical manner, with many stating, “There is no reason to keep eating the animal one.”
Others were impressed by the product’s clean label, expressing surprise and appreciation it was possible to create such a delicious product without animal or additives.
Source: Heura Goods
Heura’s team was kept busy answering questions and engaging with the community, and the gratitude from both sides was palpable.
“Thank you!” was a phrase heard repeatedly throughout the day, to which the Heura team responded, “Thank you for supporting the Heura mission and being a part of this food system transformation.”
This event marked yet another significant advance for the Spanish plant-based movement, reinforcing the notion that sustainable, ethical, and delicious alternatives to meat are not only possible but are being embraced by communities around the world.
Heura Foods continues to lead the way, further proof, the future of food is plant-based.
