“A varied plant-based diet means more vitamins and minerals and also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint that comes with raising livestock. We are increasing the proportion of our “low carbon” menus, with the objective of offering more than 30% plant-based meals by 2025.”
-Sodexo

With operations in 56 countries and 100 million customers served daily, Sodexo is one of the world’s leading food service companies, providing catering, executive dining, vending, and meal delivery services across the globe. In China, Sodexo has a variety of clients within the corporate, education, health care and elderly care sectors.

In 2020, Lever contacted Sodexo China to encourage them to promote plant-based protein with their key accounts. After more than a year of direct engagement, Sodexo China launched a trial of plant-based meat at a number of its schools and increased the plant-based offerings on their general menus.

Lever also connected Sodexo with HEROTEIN, the first domestic company in China to sell plant-based meat products produced using high moisture extrusion, which Lever helped launch in 2019. Thanks to an on-site leadership team with deep expertise in China’s restaurant, food service and grocery sectors, HEROTEIN aims to become the leading plant-based meat brand manufacturing products formulated specifically for the Chinese market. The meeting resulted in a partnership that saw HEROTEIN’s plant-based beef and chicken being served across multiple Sodexo accounts.

Lever’s work with Sodexo to bring plant-based meat to Chinese schools was a significant victory for farm animals and the planet. This work will continue as Lever’s team engages with other major food service companies in China to include more plant and animal-friendly plant-based meat options on 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.