SUMMER IS A GOOD TIME FOR PLANT-BASED EATING
FEROZ KOOR, WOOLWORTHS GROUP HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY
Summer arrives with a bounty of fruit and vegetables; and in the hot weather, lighter, fresher, crispier and juicier foods are naturally more appealing. Whatever our reasons for boosting our plant-based eating, many do so without necessarily committing to vegetarianism or veganism as a lifestyle.
However, with today being World Vegan Day, we get a reminder of how easy it can be to incorporate more plantbased recipes, foods and dishes at home, and choose the plant-based options at our favourite eateries.
Balanced plant-based diets are good for us and for the planet. It makes good sense to eat more meat-free meals; to eat more legumes and pulses, seeds and nuts; and to enjoy a greater variety of vegetables and fruits. Eating fewer meat-dominated meals, even on just one day a week, as well as less dairy and eggs, is one of the easiest things that everyone can do to relieve some pressure on our overstretched planet.
In his book Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, author and environmentalist Paul Hawken ranks moving to a more plant-based diet No 4 out of 80 suggested climate crisis solutions.
The plant-based eating trend is driving innovation in the food industry, making it far easier for people to shift eating habits.
Over the last few years, Woolworths Foods has steadily expanded our plantbased food range to meet higher demand.
We were internationally recognised by Mintel, the Global New Products Database, as 2019’s No 1 innovator in plant-based products. Part of this is offering meat alternative products in formats such as sausages, burgers and mince, plus plantbased dairy alternatives such as plant-based milks and cheese options.
We’ve extended popular plant-based dessert and snack ranges, and introduced a ready-made meal range that includes favourites such as lasagne and spaghetti bolognese as well as stroganoff, biryani and butter curry.
And when it comes to beauty, many Woolies customers have cared for a long time about beauty without cruelty, which ensures no animal-testing. Our WBeauty range is 100% vegan — this goes all the way to ensuring your personal-care products are also free of any animal-derived ingredients.
One of the major reasons why plantbased eating is on the rise is its appeal among younger generations. Millennials are already the dominant generation in the workplace and among consumers, and are increasingly being joined by the Gen Z generation, both being more open to adapting their diets and lifestyles for improved health and the sustainability of life on Earth.