Give the people what they
want! A new study by
Datassential indicates that consumers are looking for more plant-based options
when dining out and restaurants are failing to meet that demand.
Thirty-six percent of
Americans are now interested in reducing their meat and dairy consumption, and according
to 2015’s new dietary guidelines, “Americans should
eat fewer overall calories, more plant-based foods, and less sugar and saturated
fat. Food Business News reported
that sales of natural, organic, and
better-for-you products in the United States are forecasted to grow 64 percent
from $153 billion in 2013 to $252 billion by 2019.
What more
motivation do restaurants need? Retailers
have taken the hint and have been quick to respond. Restaurants
are going to need to start meeting the
demand or find themselves falling behind.
Restaurants
will also need to listen to what consumers are asking for on their plates when
introducing new plant-based menu items. The Datassential study shows that “83 percent of consumers surveyed
are seeking whole grains, while only 47 percent of operators are offering them as
ingredients; 82 percent are seeking nuts, while only 44 percent of
operators are offering them; and 80 percent are seeking legumes, while
only 54 percent of operators are offering them.
Animals face brutal conditions on factory farms, and when restaurants and consumers
work together to shift their focus to vegan dining, we can take one step closer
to a cruelty-free world.
For tips on how to create
delicious vegetarian meals at home, please visit ChooseVeg.com.