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To mark Veganuary 2023, Sodexo has published its food sales data showing a year-on-year increase in the proportion of vegetarian and vegan meals sold across 476 of its UK and Ireland client sites.
Released today, Sodexo’s data shows that the demand for vegan and vegetarian meals climbed year-on-year across its UK and Ireland sites from eight per cent of meals sold in 2021 to 10 per cent in 2022.
The food sales data also revealed that the East Midlands, which accounted for an average of 21 per cent of all meals sold by Sodexo from January to November 2022, was the region that sold the most vegetarian and vegan meals. The same period saw vegetarian and vegan meal sales of 15 per cent in both the North West and Wales, 11 per cent in London, 10 per cent in Scotland, and eight per cent in Ireland.
Sodexo’s diverse range of client sites all reported strong sales of vegan and vegetarian meals. While Health & Care sites sold the highest proportion (17 per cent), Corporate Services client sites followed closely with 13 per cent, a notable increase on 2021 when an average 10 per cent vegan and vegetarian lunch options were sold.
From selling just two per cent vegan and vegetarian meals in 2021, Sodexo’s Energy and Resources client sites experienced the highest increase of all its businesses, accelerating to 12 per cent in 2022. Schools and universities remained constant at five per cent, while government sites experienced a moderate increase from five to seven per cent.
As part of Sodexo’s Social Impact Pledge, the organisation is focused on increasing the uptake of sustainable meal options by promoting and raising awareness of sustainable plant based choices to its clients.
Claire Atkins-Morris, Director of Corporate Responsibility at Sodexo, said:“Whether people are vegan, vegetarian, or just want to try something new, it’s great to see that more and more customers are trying plant-based meals across our sites. This really demonstrates a shift in consumer awareness, a wider range of options and a marketplace responding.
“We are a proud supporter of Veganuary, and our community of chefs are encouraging more customers to try our plant-based meals by developing delicious vegan and vegetarian recipes that show the variety of meal options people have at our client sites. As part of our Net Zero commitment, we have set ourselves the goal of increasing the number of plant-based meals and recipes our clients choose from to 33 per cent by 2025.”
Toni Vernelli, Head of Communication & Marketing at Veganuary added: “We’re delighted to see Sodexo reporting an increase in sales of vegan and vegetarian meals across their UK and Ireland client sites. Veganuary is here to support anyone who wants to try being vegan, but it makes our job a lot simpler when organisations like Sodexo are offering delicious, nutritious, and easily accessible options.”
