Over the past several years Chinese consumers have demonstrated a growing concern for sustainable foods. A recent survey conducted for Ernst & Young’s Future Consumer Index found that one-third of respondents in China prioritize sustainability and the environment when purchasing products, surpassing the global average of 26%. It is clear that success for food, retail and hospitality companies hinges on their ability to adapt, offering a captivating array of sustainable and high-quality options that resonate with the discerning and environmentally-conscious younger generation.

Lever Foundation’s sister organization Lever China has been working with food companies, retail chains, restaurants, and hospitality groups to help them transition toward plant-based foods and alternative proteins to help them meet their corporate social responsibility goals. As part of that work, Lever China has been partnering with leading hospitality group Marriott International to help them incorporate more plant-based proteins into their menus around mainland China.

As part of that engagement, Lever China recently organized a plant-based foods tasting session and mini-exhibition for around several hundred food and beverage managers during Marriott Greater China’s annual internal F&B gathering in Sanya, China. The event showcased ten domestic and international plant-based food brands, covering plant-based meat, baked goods, yogurt and ice creams, as well as cooking demonstrations highlighting the varied potential applications for plant-based meals among Marriott’s food and beverage operations. Marriott’s F&B managers were pleasantly surprised by the significant improvement in the quality of plant-based foods and the wide variety of plant-based dishes that could fit nicely into current menus. In the weeks that followed, a number of individual Marriott locations in China began sourcing plant-based meat and dairy products from several of the vendors that had attended the gatering.

As sustainable food choices become increasingly important among consumers, incorporating more plant-based proteins has become a strategic priority for socially responsible and forward-thinking brands. Lever China is continuing to work with Marriott and other hospitality groups and food companies to help them add more healthy, humane and sustainable plant-based food offerings to their menus.

This work happened because of the support of people like you. Please consider donating today to build a more humane and sustainable protein supply in Asia.