Sodexo

Sodexo - Chesapeake Mini-Cakes

Chesapeake Mini-Cakes © Sodexo

Food Service

Sodexo Makes Plant-Based Meals the Norm in US Campus Restaurants

Sodexo USA recently announced that it has massively expanded the use of the DefaultVeg strategy in university dining halls. This strategy, which was first piloted by Sodexo in collaboration with the Better Food Foundation and the Food for Climate League in university canteens with all-you-can-eat offerings, uses behavioral incentives to encourage a plant-based dietary change. The expansion of offerings coincides with the publication of a recent peer-reviewed study conducted in Sodexo-operated dining halls, which concluded that offering plant-based meals as a standard may preserve students’ freedom of choice while encouraging them to choose these meals more often. The study, authored by Boston College researchers Joel Ginn and Gregg Sparkman, was published in the February issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology and was conducted by …

more

Topics:

© Komo Plant Based Foods
Market & Trends

Why it’s Imperative for Meat-Free Products in Canada to Target Meat-Eaters

A recent survey conducted by food services management company Sodexo Canada finds that while a huge proportion (74%) of Canadians are unwilling to completely give up meat — significantly higher than the global average of 42% — followed by 67% for fish and 54% for dairy, almost half (46%) are interested in reducing animal proteins for plant proteins and 46% are willing to reduce their intake of dairy products. Ultimately, this data as well as the further data below evidences that Canadian consumers refuse to quit animal products but do have a desire to replace some meat and dairy with animal-free alternatives. Producers and marketers should therefore strive to make this easy for the consumer and target the flexitarian group with inclusive language and marketing. …

more

Sodexo sees increase in plant-based sales

© Sodexo
Market & Trends

Companies Report Increase in Plant-Based Sales, Contradicting Claims of Declining Consumer Interest

While many articles in the mainstream media continue to report the decline of veganism, the experiences of some companies contradict this. While 2023 did see a drop in sales of plant-based products for myriad reasons including the cost of living crisis, what the click-bait articles in the mainstream press fail to report is that many businesses in the UK and Europe are enjoying consistent and exponential success. As Marco Bertacca, CEO of Quorn Foods said to vegconomist today, “The category, like many others, has seen a slow-down, but we must not forget that this comes against the backdrop of many consecutive years of incredible growth. The reasons people buy meat-free are still there and as prevalent as ever. Consumers are still passionate about their health, …

more

Sodexo sustainable chef challenge

© Sodexo
Gastronomy & Food Service

Sodexo’s Sustainable Chef Challenge Gathers Chefs to Develop Dishes with Low C02 Emissions

As part of its ambition to become a leader in sustainable foods, food services and facilities management company Sodexo this week hosted the second installment of its Sustainable Chef Challenge. This annual global competition brings together chefs from around the world to conceive and promote dishes with minimal CO2 emissions. The company, which operates in 55 countries and serves 100 million customers on a daily basis, says that it is continually exploring novel ingredients and plant-forward recipes, with the aim of ensuring that 70% of its main dishes can offer the “low-carbon” label by 2030. Last year the company partnered with Quorn in the UK to offer what it claims is the world’s first carbon-neutral solution for food services. Additionally, in the US, Sodexo this …

more

3D-printed plant-based pork and turkey burgers

© SavorEat
Printed Technology

SavorEat’s 3D Printing Robot Chef Makes Its Debut at University of Denver

After a partnership announcement in 2021, Sodexo and SavorEat officially deployed their 3D printing robot chef as part of a pilot project at the University of Denver, marking its US debut. Starting this week, students at the University of Denver can enjoy SavorEat’s printed burgers at the Rebecca Chopp Grand Central Market in Community Commons, as initially reported by The Spoon. Personalized printing SavorEat, an Israeli food-tech company known for its plant-based 3D printing technology, debuted its Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2021 after raising $13 million from an IPO. Its 3D printer, which prints and cooks plant-based burgers using infrared light, allows customers to personalize their burgers based on their own preferences, including fat and protein levels.  Racheli Vizman, CEO of SavorEat, told The …

more

College students in dining hall

©Tulane University
Studies & Numbers

Study: 81% of College Students Choose Plant-Based Meal When It’s the Default Option

In a “first of its kind” study, global food service provider Sodexo says it found that switching from a meat-default to a plant-default meal at several colleges produced a dramatic result: 81% of students chose the plant-based meals. Surveys also indicated that the students – including meat eaters – were more likely to express satisfaction with meat-free meals on days when plant-based food was the default.  Working with the Food for Climate League and the Better Food Foundation, Sodexo states the study is the first multi-university in-field experiment using default plant-based options within all-you-care-to-eat settings. The study involved three US colleges: Tulane University in New Orleans, Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.  “Astounding” results The research team assessed …

more

Sodexo Plant-Based College Dining

©Sodexo

Food Service

Sodexo, HSUS Commit to Make 50% of College Menus Plant-Based by 2025

Global food service leader Sodexo announces a new pledge to make 50% of its college campus menus plant-based by 2025. The latest commitment, made in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), increases the company’s previous goal of making its higher-ed dining 42% plant-based by 2025. According to Sodexo, 35% of Americans are looking to eat less meat, and college students are especially interested in the environmental and health benefits of plant-based eating. A 2020 GlobeScan study found 37% of Gen Z individuals expressed an interest in eating more plant-based and meat-free foods​. Currently, Sodexo states 36% of its college and university menus are plant-based, and the company is committed to meet this growing demand. “Formula for success” “Year after year, Sodexo …

more

Topics:

Quorn & Sodexo

©Quorn & Sodexo

Food Service

Caterer Sodexo UK&I Reports Rising Demand for Meatless Meals in Workplaces

Caterer Sodexo has reported a significant increase in demand for vegetarian and vegan dishes at workplaces in the UK and Ireland. Data shows that from January to November 2022, 15% of meals sold in Wales and the North West of England were meatless, along with 11% in London and 10% in Scotland. These figures vary widely between sectors, with vegetarian and vegan dishes making up 17% of sales at Health & Care sites and, surprisingly, just 5% at schools and universities. Meanwhile, Energy & Resources workplaces have seen a huge surge in demand, with meat-free dishes rising from 2% to 12% of sales. In the Republic of Ireland, 21,000 meat-free meals were bought at Sodexo sites in 2022, increasing from 5% to 8.5% of dishes …

more

© Liberty Dining
Food Service

Sodexo Swaps Cheesesteaks for Plant-Forward Meals at US University

A cheesesteak truck at Virginia’s Liberty University has been replaced with an outlet called The Hungry Herbivore, which serves 100% gluten-free and plant-forward meals. The move is a response to growing demand from students, with many who avoid gluten or animal products complaining that they struggle to find suitable options on campus. The new truck will also make it simpler for catering staff to avoid cross-contamination, removing the need to prepare meals separately and change gloves after handling allergens. This should reduce student wait times. The Hungry Herbivore offers dishes such as meatball marinara pasta bowls, vegan burgers, nachos, and potato patty melts. While some meals contain dairy cheese, students can opt to swap it for a vegan alternative. Vegan eggs will also be available. …

more

Whitsons School Lunch Noodles

©Whitsons Culinary Group
Society

Whitsons Culinary Group Partners with Humane Society to Launch Veggabóls Plant-Based Meals in Schools

Whitsons Culinary Group, which provides dining services to public schools in the Northeast US, has partnered with the Humane Society of the United States to introduce Veggabóls, a plant-based school meal program. As a part of Whitson’s commitment to offering at least 10% plant-based menus by 2024, Veggabóls are being piloted across 12 school districts this spring, with a full expansion possible in the fall.  Through Veggabóls, Whitsons is providing 10 healthy and sustainable recipes developed by HSUS’s team of chefs. The chefs modified several of Whitson’s most popular school lunch options to be fully plant-based, while creating brand new Veggabóls like Fiesta Rice and Beans and BBQ Chickpea and Rice. To ensure a successful rollout, Whitsons and the HSUS plan to offer virtual culinary …

more

Topics:

Humane Society US

Photo by Lance Murphey for HSUS
Gastronomy & Food Service

Sodexo & Humane Society Plan to Make 42% of University Menus Plant-Based by 2025

Catering giant Sodexo recently announced the expansion of its collaboration with the Humane Society of the United States, in a partnership that has continued for over 15 years with the aim of increasing the number of plant-based options on its menus. The initiative is part of Sodexo’s overall strategy to reduce its carbon emissions 34% by 2025: shockingly, though perhaps not surprisingly, Sodexo’s carried out an internal analysis which found that at least 70% of its supply carbon footprint was related to animal-based food purchases in the fiscal year 2020. Following the study, Sodexo Campus claims it is now aiming to make 42% of its planned menu offerings plant-based by 2025.  US initiative follows UK success Sodexo UK and Ireland already announced last October that …

more

©Quorn & Sodexo

Food Service

Quorn & Sodexo Reveal “World’s First” Carbon-Neutral Solution for Catering

Quorn has joined forces with international foodservice giant Sodexo to roll out what it claims is the world’s first carbon-neutral solution for food services. Called Carbono Cero, the range will launch in a number of Sodexo’s corporate client sites in the UK, with a plan to expand globally by April 2023. Carbono Cero is a range of ten carbon-neutral recipes created using Quorn alt protein products, as well as an emphasis on seasonality and locality. Each recipe has been developed to reduce as much of its carbon footprint as possible before being offset to be carbon-neutral, with the companies claiming the solution could save at least 7,296 tonnes of carbon each year.  Food services giant Sodexo, which has over 400,000 employees and a presence in …

more

Topics:

sodexo reports meatless meals increasing in popularity

© PRNewsfoto/Sodexo
Gastronomy & Food Service

Catering Giant Sodexo Reports Meatless Meals Now Make Up 10% of UK Sales

Sodexo reports meatless meals are sharply rising in popularity in the UK, with sales almost doubling in one year. Food services giant Sodexo, which has over 400,000 employees and a presence in 80 countries, has announced significant month-on-month increases in sales of vegetarian and vegan meals in the UK. The company said that in the 12 months to November 2021, sales of meatless meals made up an average of 10% of all food sales at its corporate client sites. As a proportion of all meals sold, vegetarian and vegan meal sales almost doubled over this period from 7% to 13%. Entirely vegan meals also rose in popularity, making up 41% of meat-free meals sold in November 2021 compared to just 24% in the same month …

more

Topics:

Gastronomy & Food Service

Sodexo “Future 50 Foods” to Bring Sustainable Plant-Based Meals to 5000 Hospitals and Businesses

Global food services company Sodexo joined forces with Knorr Professional (Unilever) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to write the Future 50 Foods report which identified 50 healthy foods which offer a low environmental impact. Sodexo, the first global player to serve the Future 50 Foods on a large scale, will begin a roll out  of 40 plant-based recipes containing the 50 foods, to kitchens around the world.

more

Love-of-Food Sodexo

© Sodexo
Gastronomy & Food Service

Sodexo Launches New Impossible Burger Menu Across 1,500 U.S. Locations

Food and facilities management company Sodexo will debut a new product line featuring the Impossible Burger, at more than 1,500 U.S. retail locations, from 19th August. The eight plant-based products, including a sausage muffin sandwich, sausage gravy and biscuits, steakhouse burger and creole burger, will be available at colleges, universities, healthcare and corporate services accounts.

more

veggie grill and sodexo logos

© Veggie Grill & Sodexo
Society

Veggie Grill and Sodexo Partner to Grow Presence on US College Campuses

Veggie Grill,the leading plant-based restaurant group in the United States, announces its partnership with Sodexo Inc., a global provider of food and facilities management. As consumers, specifically college students, continue to seek more veggie-centric food. Sodexo will offer Veggie Grill’s plant-based menu at university campuses to meet this demand.

more

Topics: