The sausage rolls are the company’s first foray into savoury pastry and were launched in response to an increased demand for plant-based options for all meal occasions.
Meat alternatives have become the fastest-growing area of the chilled savoury pastries sector, increasing 123% year-on-year (Kantar Worldpanel Online data, 52 w/e 4 October 2020).
Food and drink manufacturers have announced a string of new plant-based and meat alternative products over the past year, with producers capitalising on changing consumer demands after COVID-19 lockdowns.
Meat alternative launches
Meat alternative launches by Finnebrogue Artisan, wheat-based bacon and cake bars all feature in last month’s round-up of the latest developments in plant-based food and drink.
Meanwhile, plant-based food brand Cauldron has added to its tofu and snacking ranges with the launch of two vegan products.
Research by Meatless Farm found a third of British consumers ate more plant-based food in 2021 and intended to do so throughout the year.
The company has also added three savoury pastry slices to its portfolio – Peppered Steak, Katsu Chicken and Sausage, Cheese and Bean – which are available across retail and foodservice.
London vending machine
The sausage roll vending machine will operate from 11:30am to 7pm at London’s Southbank tomorrow (5 June), which is recognised as National Sausage Roll Day. Meatless Farm hopes the initiative will get its plant-based products into the hands of even more consumers.
“Innovation is at the heart of our category but that shouldn’t stop at NPD – we need to drive innovation when it comes to marketing,” said Michael Hunter, chief growth officer at Meatless Farm. “The more we can engage a broader audience the greater the impact we’re going to make when it comes to planet and health.”
Karl Williams, group technical director at Meatless Farm, was one of the panellists for Food Manufacture’s virtual conference The Future of Plant-based Proteins: Roots of Further Growth on 31 March. Other speakers and panellists included James Fisher, lead product developer, convenience meals, Marks & Spencer and Felippe Castillo, director of marketing and innovation at Tyson Foods.
Radicle, Roquette and Loma Linda Tuno sponsored the event, which is available on demand at £125+VAT per ticket. Supporters were Cargill, Firmenich, Ingredion, Mane and Symrise.
Source: foodmanufacture.co.uk