#OnShelf: The rising culture of plant-based products
by Louise Burgers. The speed at which plant-based, meatless products are being developed and launching into SA, signifies a real culture-shift.
by Louise Burgers. The speed at which plant-based, meatless products are being developed and launching into SA, signifies a real cultural-shift to meat-free, healthier and sustainable options, as demanded by consumers the world over.
Meatless Farm brand launches in SA
Tapping into the global trend for sustainable meat free options, Meatless Farm becomes the latest plant based food product to launch in South Africa. Made from pea protein and substantially gluten-free, this international range gives shoppers more options for a meat-free diet, offering a choice to flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans. Launched in 2016 by Danish entrepreneur Morten Toft Bech, Meatless Farm evolved from Toft Bech’s own desire to feed his family the most sustainable meat alternatives. Meatless Farm went to market with fresh mince and burgers in 2018 and since then, has grown to supply UK food chains like Pret-A-Manger, Leon, Sainsburys, Planet Organic and the Wholefoods Market. The launch into South Africa is with the meatfree mince, chicken-less ‘chicken’ burgers and nuggets, and sausages.
Montego aims to get more dogs adopted
Montego Pet Nutrition has sponsored the Dogtown SA animal rescue and rehabilitation facility with R50,000 to build a state-of-the-art pet enclosure, known as an ‘octagon’, to house pets that are fully rehabilitated and ready for adoption. The most recent Adorable Adoptables Octagon is the fourth structure sponsored by Montego. Dogtown currently looks after 168 dogs and nine cats that are either being rehabilitated or waiting to be rehomed. Previous projects that have been sponsored by the pet care company, include three other octagons on the premises; the Barks and Recreation centre used for dog training; and the revamp of the Dogtown website. To launch the brand new octagon, Dogtown SA and Montego hosted a comedy afternoon with Schalk Bezuidenhout, who is a two-time Dogtown adopter; and hosted tours for the public of the newly constructed Adorable Adoptables octagon.
BIC sponsors global ideas competition
The BIC Corporate Foundation will sponsor the Ideas World Cup, the largest brainstorming event in the world where individuals and teams from cities around the globe compete to solve a social issue using the power of creative thinking. This year’s theme, How Can We Inspire Creativity In Education, was selected by the BIC Corporate Foundation for its universal need, the potential for global impact, and a direct reflection of the Foundation’s core belief that creativity in education is a cornerstone of personal progress and societal change. Each year, Ideas World Cup rewards projects that have the potential to be implemented locally, nationally, or globally with prizes to help bring their idea to life. This year, the winner will also have access to mentors from the BIC Corporate Foundation’s Corporate Community of Practice, a global coalition of educators, researchers, foundations, artists, and NGOs to help maximise their idea’s impact. This year’s theme asks participants to ideate how creativity can evolve from an abstract concept into an applied foundational element of the learning process – to an essential life skill that can be taught, cultivated, and championed across all subjects throughout the global educational system; and become a transformational tool that can be used to solve the most challenging problems society faces. Registration is now open for any person or group that wishes to enter, with the competition officially starting on World Creativity Day, April 21, 2022. The winning projects will be announced during the closing ceremony on May 27, 2022.
CAMPAIGN: Real connections with Nando’s this Easter
Nando’s is trying to aid family dynamics this Easter with a new campaign, although I think it takes more than chicken to solve some spicy family issues, but Nando’s is brave that way. Nontobeko Sibiya, Nando’s marketing manager: communications, says Nando’s has always celebrated diversity and encouraged inclusion. “Our Easter campaign recognises that not everyone is familiar with the changes to gender pronoun preferences which can cause some unintended misunderstandings. While it’s a serious subject matter, we believe that seeing the bright side of it allows us to gain some perspective and move forward.” She says South Africans are fun-loving and gregarious in nature. “This Easter, we urge South Africans to embrace this side of themselves as well as each other’s points of view over a meal. After all, one of Nando’s values is family. We believe that we are who we are, because of one another. That’s why everyone is welcome too, at our family table,” says Sibiya. The campaign also promotes connecting over the new Nando’s offering of a flame-grilled Peri-Peri Full Chicken and any two Sharing Sides for R199; or add an extra Full Chicken for R99 when purchasing any of the Family and Friends meals. Watch here.
Main image credit: Meatless Farm.
Louise Burgers is the Publisher and Editor and Co-Founder of RetailingAfrica.com. She has spent over 20 years writing about the FMCG retailing, marketing, media and advertising industry in South Africa and on the African continent. She has specialised in local and Africa consumer trends and is a passionate Afro-optimist who believes it is Africa’s time to rise again and that the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will be a global gamechanger in the next decade.
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