World's Leading Caterer Embraces Plant-Based Diet for Healthier Menu Options
Compass Group Shifts Gears Towards Plant-Based Dining
In a significant move towards sustainable and healthier food options, Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, has announced ambitious plans to transform its menus. The company aims to replace 40% of its meat dishes in the UK and Ireland with plant-based proteins by 2030.
This commitment is part of Compass Group's push to make 40% of its UK and Ireland menus plant-based. The decision comes as concerns about the environmental impact of the meat and dairy industry continue to grow, with these sectors accounting for nearly 60% of the food system's emissions.
The shift towards plant-based eating is not just about reducing emissions. It's also about improving public health. Animal protein consumption is linked to a host of chronic conditions, with leading nutritionists and government dietary guidelines calling for a shift to plant-based eating.
Nutritionists at Levy, Compass Group's sports and events hospitality arm, are looking to reduce the amount of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) available. Instead, they are focusing on increasing the use of plants, beans, lentils, and pulses.
Good nutrition is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, and food services companies like Compass Group can play a vital role in improving the health of the nation. Compass Group takes an evidence-based approach to producing appetizing menus that reduce potentially harmful ingredients like salt and sugar and increase consumption of plant-based protein.
The company's healthier range, The Good Stuff, is embedded in over 50% of food concepts in the business and industry sector. An analysis of over 70,000 products showed that 17% would be classified as a source of or high in plant protein, and Compass Group's nutritionists are continuing to update recipes to add plant proteins each month.
In 2024, Compass Group ordered 29,000 tonnes of plants, legumes, and pulses. The increased use of these ingredients has led to a reduction in fat, salt, and sugar content in Compass Group's dishes.
Compass Group has also made strides in reducing salt. The company has worked with plant-based giant Flora Food Group to deliver an annual reduction of 2,700 kg of salt.
The company's efforts extend beyond its menus. Compass Group is working with FareShare, Olio, and Too Good to Go to redistribute surplus food to communities in need.
In the education sector, Compass Group's school catering arm, Chartwells, is increasing plant-based options with every seasonal menu change. At the Wellspring restaurant owned by Medirest, Compass Group's medical sector subsidiary, red meat dishes are being reduced and plants and plant-based proteins are being added.
Compass Group's wellness team has hosted over 60 pop-up events to highlight the plant-forward philosophy of its Ways to Be Well initiative. All breakfast smoothies served by ESS, Compass Group's defense and government services brand, are plant-based. All dessert options by ESS are vegetarian or plant-based.
In February 2023, Compass Group announced that it had switched 50% of dishes in the business and industrial sectors to be based on plants, beans, lentils, and other plant proteins. The company's commitment to sustainable and healthier food options is a step towards a greener and healthier future.
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