Meal kit delivery company Marley Spoon has become the first service in the market to introduce vegan protein options to its menu.
In a bid to encourage Australians to expand their gastronomical horizons and promote sustainable eating habits, the company has entered a partnership with Plant-Based Foods to work with their portfolio of ethical plant-based brands.
Tuesday 1st November is World Vegan Day, and Marley Spoon is kicking off their new menu to celebrate the day. Upcoming dishes include Beefless Moroccan Tagine, Creole Vegetarian Tofu Burgers, Vegetarian ‘Chorizo’ and Beans with Jasmine Rice, and Vegetarian ‘Chicken’ Burgers with Panini Rolls. All the meat alternatives used are 100% plant-based.
Dave Malcolm, co-founder of Marley Spoon Australia, says the company wants to offer as much variety as possible: “We’re very focused on two things: cooking and sustainability. We’re bringing together new flavours, cuisines and cooking experiences for our members to try and explore, and we’re acting on our commitment to be as sustainable as possible.
“Australians Google “Vegan” more than any other country, so there is a growing interest in these options. The environmental and health benefits of eating vegetarian and vegan foods are undeniable, so we’re excited to be exploring this side of cooking,” said Malcolm.
2.1 million Australians (11.2% of the population) are already vegetarian or vegan, and around half the population are meat reducers. That amounts to around 1 in 4 people actively choosing plant-based options, with NSW at head of this trend, manifesting a 30% growth in vegetarianism since 2012.
“Ultimately, the game changer in the vegan product world is taste,” says Plant-Based Foods CEO Cale Drouin. “Today’s plant-based brands have hit the mainstream because people can now choose what’s best for their health, sustainability and animals, without any compromise on enjoyment.”
World Vegan Day is celebrated each year with a number of festivals and exhibitions around the world promoting the benefits of the vegan lifestyle. In Australia, the biggest event for 2016 is the World Vegan Day festival in Melbourne (wvd.org.au), with additional local celebrations happening around the country that welcome all comers to discover the ever-growing range of plant-based products and dishes out there.