Zest Food Partners announces partnership with plant-based brand Arley’s

Zest Food Partners and Arley’s, the new plant-based brand by UK-based producer Arley Foods, are working together to try to transform the UK foodservice plant-based category with a range of innovative new products focused on great quality and taste.

Arley’s specialises in  meat-free food that minimises the impact of the food industry on animals, humans and the environment.

Brady Collins, co-founder of Arley Foods, said: “When I stopped eating meat back in 1993, it was quite depressing how few options were available to non-meat eaters. Things are a lot different today, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a good thing. In the rush to satisfy the growing demand for plant-based alternatives, there’s been an influx of meat-free products that aren’t of the quality today’s consumers expect. That’s why we built Arley’s.

“We are a very passionate team and have huge aspirations to grow the Arley’s brand and reignite the plant-based category. The team at Zest are highly experienced, with a fantastic network and we’re delighted to be partnering with them.”

Nick Redford, strategy director at Zest Food Partners, added: “The plant-based category is a busy and growing market, and this has led to a bit of ‘plant-based fatigue’ within the industry. Our job is to put Arley’s in front of the right customers to show just how good meat-alternatives can be. The team at Arley Foods focus on creating great tasting food, with clean ingredients (no artificial preservatives, colours, or additives), and it just so happens that they’re made from 100% plant-based and gluten-free ingredients. That’s why their products are award-winning!”

Arley’s products are made with high quality, sustainably sourced, non-GMO ingredients, and are a source of protein and fibre and low in saturated fats. The range includes chicken, beef, pork, and lamb products so customers have the core protein options to create a range of well-loved classic or modern dishes.

Driving the plant-based boom is primarily meat-reducing flexitarians (vegetarians and vegans represent just 6% and 3% of the population respectively) so it is important that meat-free alternative products focus on perfecting foods mimicking the taste, texture, and appearance of meat, points out Zest.

Kelly Burke, commercial director at Zest Food Partners, said: “We’re excited to be working with Arley Foods to drive their foodservice strategy. With a focus on key end users including casual dining restaurants, pubs, quick-service restaurants and leisure venues as well as the wholesale channel, we want to educate customers, drive innovation in the plant-based category and help customers create delicious stand out dishes. The Arley’s range delivers on both taste and texture, and we can’t wait for our customers to try them!”