The Spare Food Co.’s Post

New research published in the journal Ecological Economics (2024). Finding ways to steer consumers' food choices towards vegetarian and plant-based meals is important to reduce our diets' environmental impact. This paper investigates how nudges in restaurants can be effectively used to increase sales of vegetarian and plant-based dishes. We partnered with two restaurants, which can host up to 130 guests in total and are in the same building, and we tested the effect of three nudge-based interventions on the sales of vegetarian and plant-based dishes. We found that removing the symbols for vegetarian and plant-based dishes increased the sales of those starters by 10.2 pp., and of those mains by 6.2 pp. When a low emissions symbol was added to the menu to replace the symbols for vegetarian and plant-based dishes, it did not affect sales. However, when the same nudge was made transparent through a statement explaining its purpose on the menu, the sales of those starters increased by 14.1 pp. This result suggests that nudges can be used ethically and still be effective. Overall, these findings support the use of nudges as cost-effective interventions to tackle the issue of unsustainable food consumption in the hospitality sector. #sustainablefoodconsumption #sustainablefood #sustainablefoodchoices #sustainablediets #healthysustainablediets #sustainablehealthydiets #menulabeling #climate #climatechange #nudges #foodchoices #foodlabeling #foodlabelling #foodsysystems #foodsystemtransformation #sustainablefoodsystems #chefs #ecochefs #sustainablecuisine #dietitians #foodpolicy #planetaryhealth #plantbased #plantbasedeating #plantbaseddiets #vegetarian #vegan #foodhospitality

💧 The The Spare Food Co.. has introduced Spare Starter, a plant-based “culinary shortcut” made with a blend of upcycled produce and spices that can replace a portion of conventional animal protein in dishes like burgers, meatballs and chillis. ♻️ The startup aims to spotlight food waste with a solution that can save months of prep for foodservice kitchens, and tons of produce, water and GHG emissions. 💡 “Our aim isn’t merely to add another product to the market,” says Adam Kaye. “It’s to introduce a groundbreaking solution environmentally and economically.” 🌿 Spare Starter is made from six vegetables – utilising parts that are usually trimmed or discarded, including leaves and stalks – and a spice blend. The result is an allergen-, gluten- and fat-free ingredient that has an adaptable flavour profile, which enables chefs to experiment with it in multiple ways: 🍲 Season it and add it to a noodle bowl or a vegan puttanesca sauce. 🍲 Use it as part of the wet mixture for savoury waffles.  🍲 Squeeze a little liquid and add it to beef to make a blended burger  🍲 Utilise it as a binder for a blended chorizo. 🚀 It’s a highly innovative ingredient, built for high amounts of innovation. 💬 What are your thoughts on using upcycled food products in mainstream cuisine? 🔍 Gain insights into this sustainable culinary innovation by checking out the full article. #GreenQueen #foodtech #sustainability #foodwaste #futurefoods #climateaction

The Hidden Superheroes of Food Science: A Journey into Food Preservation! ✨🌍 Did you know that the everyday foods we enjoy have a secret life? They embark on incredible journeys from farm to fork, thanks to the unsung heroes of food preservation. 🚀 Journey of a Berry: Imagine a humble strawberry, picked at the peak of ripeness, embarking on an epic adventure across miles to reach your breakfast table. Thanks to cutting-edge freezing technology, it retains its vibrant color, flavor, and nutrients. Freezing slows down enzyme activity and microbial growth, making it one of the most efficient preservation methods. 🥫 The Timeless Tale of Canning: Picture your grandmother's pantry, filled with jars of colorful preserves. Canning, a time-honored tradition, seals in freshness and flavor while keeping harmful microorganisms at bay. But it's not just about nostalgia; it's a science-backed method that enables us to enjoy seasonal produce year-round. 💧 Dehydration: The Art of Drying: Ever wonder how those lightweight, travel-friendly snacks stay so deliciously satisfying? Dehydration removes moisture, creating a food product that's resistant to spoilage while intensifying flavors. Think about the burst of sweetness in a dried apricot! 🦠 Fermentation: Nature’s Little Alchemist: Fermentation is like a magical dance of microorganisms transforming simple ingredients into complex flavors and textures. From the tangy taste of yogurt to the umami-rich goodness of kimchi, fermented foods are a delight to the palate and a boon for gut health. 🌱 Sustainable Packaging: The Future of Food Safety: Our journey doesn't end with the preservation methods themselves. Sustainable packaging is revolutionizing how we protect and store food, reducing waste and conserving resources. Innovations like biodegradable materials and smart packaging solutions are leading us toward a greener future. And the Future of Food, you ask? Well, Food preservation isn't just about extending shelf life; it's about nourishing the world sustainably and responsibly. It's a field filled with endless possibilities and exciting innovations that promise to revolutionize how we think about food. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Which of these preservation methods fascinates you the most, or what new technologies have you come across in your own experiences? 👇 #FoodScience #PreservationMagic #InnovationInFood #SustainableEating #HealthyLiving #GutHealth #FoodTechnology

FRESHNESS REDEFINED: HOW RETORT TECHNOLOGY IS REVOLUTIONIZING FOOD! This article explores the growing trend of retort technology and its impact on the food processing industry. In today's fast-paced world, consumers crave convenience without sacrificing quality. This trend is particularly evident in the food industry, where there's a growing demand for fresh, healthy, and shelf-stable products. Here at Harts Food Processing, we're at the forefront of this revolution, leveraging the power of retort technology to redefine what it means to enjoy fresh food. WHAT IS RETORT TECHNOLOGY? Retort technology utilizes a combination of high pressure and heat to sterilize food inside sealed containers. This innovative process eliminates harmful bacteria while preserving the natural taste, texture, and essential nutrients of the ingredients. Unlike traditional methods like freezing or canning, retort technology minimizes damage to food, resulting in a product that tastes remarkably fresh and boasts an extended shelf life. WHY IS RETORT TECHNOLOGY TRENDING? The popularity of retort technology stems from several key benefits: *Reduced Food Waste: With extended shelf life, retort technology helps minimize food waste by making products last longer in kitchens and on store shelves. This reduction in waste promotes sustainability and responsible consumption. *Convenience for Busy Lifestyles: Consumers today are busier than ever, demanding convenient food options that don't compromise on quality. Retort-processed foods offer a delicious and healthy on-the-go solution, perfect for busy families and professionals. *Global Food Security: Retort technology plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security. By extending shelf life and eliminating the need for refrigeration, retort-processed foods can be easily transported to remote locations or areas with limited resources. Harts Food Processing: Committed to Freshness At Harts Food Processing, we're passionate about providing our customers with high-quality, nutritious, and delicious food options. Our state-of-the-art retort technology allows us to deliver on this promise, ensuring that our products retain their freshness and flavour for longer. Stay tuned for exciting updates as we prepare to launch our innovative range of food products! Together, let's revolutionize the way we experience fresh food. #HartsFoodProcessing #RetortTechnology #FoodTrends

Making more sustainable food choices 💚 Some of the work Leith’s does to help promote plant-based options is simple but effective - like placing the plant-based options at the top of the menu, as opposed to meat options first, followed by veggie dishes. The idea, Claire says, is to make plant-based dishes the first option for people, rather than a secondary ‘just for veggies’ choice. Read more about how we're supporting greener gatherings. 🔗 Link in comments. #EventCatering #Sustainability Levy

23 Behavior Change Strategies to Get Diners Eating More Plant-Rich Food Shifting diets away from so much beef, and toward more plants, is a win for the climate. Producing beef requires 20 times more land and emits 20 times more greenhouse gas emissions than producing common plant-based proteins. To help food companies nudge their diners to make sustainable choices, WRI has released a playbook outlining the top 23 behavior change strategies the food service sector can use to support diners in choosing plant-rich meals. These strategies draw on cutting-edge academic research into how people choose food, as well as insights from experts in the food service industry. #sustainability #plantbased #diet

🌱 Bringing flavor, health, and responsible choices to your dining table with plant-based products! 🌱 The Fazer Group and us at Fazer Mills continue our commitment to sustainability by offering an increasing range of plant-based and sustainable products that support the well-being of both people and the environment. We are proud to introduce our food & baking innovations, and steps towards a more sustainable future. 💚 ✅ Plant-based on the rise: As a producer of grain-based products, the most of ingredients used in Fazer Mills products are plant-based and nearly half of Fazer Group’s range is already plant-based. We are committed to further increasing this share. By expanding the offering of plant-based products, we respond to consumer expectations and food trends. 🌿 ✨ Innovative food solutions: Through product development and research, we create responsible and delicious food alternatives. An example of this is Fazer's Oat Rice which has won several awards and provides a sustainable alternative to rice. (In case you got excited, please check the link in the comments section! 👇) 🌍 Responsible packaging: We also invest in environmentally friendly packaging as part of our sustainable practices. 💡 Question for you: What kind of plant-based products would you like to see in our product range in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🗯️ 🧪 We will continue to develop products and ingredients and invest even more in using plant-based ingredients in product development. PS. Our superior vegan mix enables delicious and impressive sweet baked goods without any compromises. Ask more! 🍩 #fazermills #sustainability #plantbasedproducts #plantbasedoptions #oat #foodinnovation #foodtrends #sustainablefuture #sustainabledevelopment

The team at The Sustainable Restaurant Association recently identified 7 of the most sustainable foods that restaurants and caterers can add to their menus, including: - Mushrooms - Beans & Pulses - Sea Vegetables - Bivalves - Ancient Grains & Cereals - Invasive species - More plants and better meat If you want to learn more about the environmental impact of your menu - whether to showcase to diners via eco labels or simply to inform your ingredient choices, the Foodprint software from Nutritics can easily show you the carbon and water impact of ingredients, as well as their nutritional value. 🍄🍄🍄 #Hospitality #Sustainability #Ingredients

Plant-Based Food Spotlight: Walmart launches private label incl plant-based. PBFA shares vision. Study: US adults express flexitarian interest. Paris 2024 features plant-based. Prime Roots travels to share plant-based deli. News from Violife, Theo's Plant Based, Nasoya, NotCo. #SeeingGreen blog dines on Sustainable Food - Plant-Based recent progress today (1 May). Much more below. Brands in the news: Walmart, Prime Roots, Aramark, Violife, THEO's Plant-Based, Nasoya Foods USA, NotCo, Kraft Heinz, GOODLES, Eleven Madison Park, ProVeg International, Plant Based Foods Association, Food for Climate League, Miyoko's Creamery, Daiya Foods Inc, GOOD PLANeT Foods, Parmela Creamery, Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 and many more. HEADLINES - all live links here: https://lnkd.in/gpfZiWk4 Walmart launches culinary-focused private label for plant-based, gluten-free food PBFA: “The Plant-Based Foods Industry Represents an Opportunity to Re-Envision How We Feed the World” A third of U.S. adults are interested in cutting back on meat, report finds Michelin chefs to serve vegetarian, sustainable food at the 2024 Paris Olympics Prime Roots is Hitting The Road With a Plant-Based 'Cybertruck Deli' Visiting Cities Across The US in Celebration of Earth Day Mayor Adams Announces Cross-Sector Partnership to Reduce Food-Related Carbon Emissions Across NYC This Michelin-Star Chef Switched to a Plant-Based Menu. Then It Blew Up in His Face ‘Truly nascent’: Violife’s chief growth officer on making plant-based cheese mainstream Plant-based 3.0: Industry insiders share strategies for pushing alternative proteins forward Mac and Cheese Gets a Plant-Based Makeover Maine schools look to add more plant-based options to their cafeterias Theo's Plant-Based debuts Sweet Potato Jerky Nasoya Unveils New Plantspired Plant-Based Chick'n Menu Design Strategies to Grow Plant-Based Sales NotCo Develops Plant-Based Turtle Soup Alternative to Combat Sea Turtle Decline 19 Must-Try Vegan Cheese Brands for Cheese Lovers #sustainability #food #sustainablefood #plantbased #plantbasedfood #seeinggreen #greenliving #sustainablelife #greenlivingdoug

Day 12: Embrace Plant-Based Meals #Eco30Impact To embrace plant-based meals effectively, there are some key steps to follow: 1. Gradual Transition: Start by incorporating more plant-based foods into meals and gradually reducing reliance on animal products. 2. Experiment with Recipes: Explore new plant-based recipes and cooking methods to make meals enjoyable and satisfying. 3. Educate and Advocate: Learn about the benefits of plant-based eating and share knowledge with others to promote awareness and encourage positive dietary changes. 3. Support Sustainable Food Systems: Choose locally sourced and organic plant-based foods when possible to support sustainable food systems and reduce environmental impact. By embracing plant-based meals, individuals don't only contribute to personal health, but equally contribute to environmental conservation, and global sustainability efforts, while enjoying delicious and nourishing culinary experiences.