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What is a conscious consumer?
Conscious consumers make informed choices about the food they eat and the products they buy, carefully considering social, environmental and economic impacts.
They support positive change by buying products, brands and services which are produced ethically, with care for people, animals and the planet.
This can encompass everything from ethical sourcing, waste reduction and responsible labour practices, to water conservation and CO2 reduction.
Our research suggests conscious consumers are looking for evidence that the companies behind the brands are also operating ethically and sustainably – including in foodservice.
Why it’s good for the planet, and good for your business too?
You might think that acting sustainably will cost more, but that’s not always the case.
There are several examples of how reducing waste, using clever multi-menu products to streamline your menu, and using long-life frying oils in your kitchen, can boost your sustainability credentials – while saving you money.
Some easy way to do this are:
- Use one vegan sauce, dressing, mayo or butter alternative across your plant-based and meat dishes, meaning there’s no need to buy two products.
- Ensure you’re using best practice frying methods to make your oil last longer, reducing waste.
- Create an amazing brunch menu with lunch and breakfast dishes included.
Simple swaps can help you reduce time and save money in your kitchen, and reduce waste in a way which will impress your customers.
Proud of Sustainable Palm
We know that palm oil is great for heavy-duty frying, but did you know that it can be a sustainable choice too?
That’s because palm oil is the world’s highest yielding vegetable oil crop, needing less than half the land required by other crops to produce the same amount of oil.
So, if you choose palm that is sustainably sourced, and certified by the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) – and all of ours is - then you can be proud of your investment in palm!
Over 20 years ago, we joined forces with stakeholders throughout the industry to form the RSPO, and have worked tirelessly to support the production of sustainable palm oil ever since.
Catering to dietary requirements
There are several reasons why conscious consumers may have dietary requirements to cater for, from worries about how meat consumption affects the environment, to concerns about allergens, or their health.
This has also led to a rise in ‘flexitarians’ - those who may not lead a vegan lifestyle, but still reduce their intake of meat, fish and dairy.
Catering to conscious consumers doesn’t need to be difficult though – and using the right products across your menu, could help you to save costs!
Those avoiding dairy for health, environment or animal rights reasons still want food that tastes great. One way to achieve this is by providing plant-based dishes that are as good as the real thing - delivering great taste and texture - to ensure that no one feels they are missing out.
By using ingredients like butter alternatives across your menu, you can meet all kinds of different dietary requirements, save money in your kitchen, and ensure that meat-eaters can’t tell the difference.
Foodservice Digest: Catering for Conscious Consumers
We’re here to help
Whatever your challenge, we’re here to support you. If you’re looking to make your menu more appealing to today’s concious consumers, please get in touch, or find out more about our unique Co-Development process.
