Be prepared for flexitarianism, advises frozen food distributor Central Foods

Recent research has revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of meat-eating Brits have cut or limited their meat intake in the past six months.

The Mintel report also suggests that a further one in seven (14%) adults say they are interested in limiting or reducing their consumption of meat or poultry in the future. It therefore makes good commercial sense to be prepared for customers asking for meat-free products, says frozen food distributor Central Foods.

“As a leading frozen food distributor supplying a selection of products to catering outlets throughout the foodservice sector, our advice at Central Foods is to ensure that operators have a range of easy-to-prepare and cook frozen items in stock that will suit customers that are looking for meat-free food and snacks,” said Gordon Lauder, MD of Central Foods.

“Tasty products like meat-free sausage rolls or cheese and onion rolls are perfect to suit the rising trend in flexitarianism. Baked from frozen, they are great hand-held snacks to offer customers at any time of the day.”

The meat-free sausage rolls and cheese and onion rolls are part of a wide range of vegetarian items that Central Foods offers, which also includes items such as sausages, burgers, meatballs, mince and even scampi.

“The younger generations are the most likely to be following a meat-free lifestyle,” added Gordon. “The Mintel report said that one in five (19%) Brits under the age of 25 say they do not eat red meat or poultry, rising to one in four (25%) women in this age group.”

Central Foods supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds, universities, takeaways and fast-food outlets.

Based at Collingtree near Northampton, the distributor offers a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, sourcing products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.