Meat-free gains momentum at The Natural Food Show 2013
Whether it’s down to cost, health, animal welfare, environmental factors, or, more recently, labelling and contamination concerns, the meat-free market is continuing to gain sales as more and more consumers regularly reduce their meat intake.
Retailers and buyers wishing to take advantage of this growing trend will find a host of innovative new vegan and vegetarian products for their customers at this year’s Natural Food Trade Show, which returns to London’s Olympia on April 7-8
Spurred on by celebrity chef endorsements, greater menu choice when eating out, more new product developments and better visibility in supermarket aisles, there has been a notable shift in consumer attitudes towards going meat-free (if not wholly then in part) and an increased awareness of the benefits that following a more vegetable-based diet can offer.
Ongoing revelations about the UK’s food supply chain aside, a 2012 study by research company Mintel estimated that the meat-free market in the UK, currently worth £634m, will reach £800m by 2017.
To cater for this demand, the search for natural alternatives to meat, poultry and fish products – as well as eggs, dairy, cheese and honey for vegans – remain a priority for many of the thousands of professional food and drink buyers that visit The Natural Food Show annually.
“Exciting, delicious and nutritious – good vegan-friendly food appeals to just about any customer, which is a key reason why the meat-free sector is so dynamic,” comments Paul Philbrow, trademark & business development officer at The Vegan Society, which will once again be hosting a pavilion at the event.
“Over half of British shoppers now consciously choose meat-free meals. The sector is innovating with inspiring world cuisines, and healthy, sustainable fruits and vegetables will find increasingly wide and diverse audiences in the years to come.”
The Natural Food Show features over 300 natural and organic exhibitors from all over the world; including a wealth of vegan, vegetarian and free-from producers (some of whom are also Halal and Kosher certified).
This year’s attendees will benefit from seeing a host of returning big names like 100% vegan Redwood Wholefood Company, with its gourmet burgers, pizza, pasties, ‘fish’ cakes, and Parmesan-style cheese; vegetarian convenience food specialist Amy’s Kitchen; Essential Trading Co-operative – suppliers of brands like Dragonfly Foods’ 100% organic beany burgers; Gourmet Raw; and Zest Foods; specialist wholesalers Suma – home to 3000+ lines of vegan products including Cresson Creative Foods’ handmade watercress burgers, pure dairy free, Fry's Vegetarian UK, and Free & Easy ready meals; and Germany’s TOPAS Klaus Gaiser, founders of the popular Wheaty brand, who’ll be exhibiting within the show’s Vegan Society Pavilion.
The event is free to attend for pre-registered trade visitors and relevant press representatives. To register please visit www.naturalfoodshow.co.uk quoting priority code NPE1328.
