In a recent webinar hosted on Plant Based World Pulse, Wayne Bennet, SVP of Retail at RangeMe/ECRM, interviewed LC Ede, Director of Sustainable Products and Suppliers at Sysco, about the latest trends in plant-based foods and the sustainability practices that are driving the foodservice industry forward. The discussion highlighted Sysco’s commitment to offering sustainable products and unveiled key trends that are shaping the plant-based market.

Sysco’s Commitment to Sustainability

Sysco has long been a leader in the foodservice industry, and their dedication to sustainability is evident in their expansive catalog of sustainability-focused products. This catalog features a variety of items, from seafood to produce, all of which meet sustainability verifications. As LC Ede explained, Sysco’s focus on sustainability extends to plant-based products, which are increasingly important in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“At Sysco, we know that (in most cases) the greenhouse gas emissions associated with alternative proteins are significantly lower,” said LC. “By virtue of that, we include these products in the catalogue as well.”

LC also emphasized the crucial role of technology in tracking and verifying the sustainability of products. “Technology is important because what gets measured gets managed,” LC stated, underscoring Sysco’s commitment to maintaining high standards through advanced technological systems.

Key Trends in Plant-Based Foods

When asked about current trends in the plant-based sector, LC highlighted several areas of growth and opportunity.

“Plant-based alternative proteins, particularly the ones mimicking meat, are facing the most economic headwinds,” LC explained. “Plant-based milks continue to be in high demand, possibly because their value proposition is a bit clearer. People simply prefer oat milk, for example, and it becomes their go-to choice, rather than an alternative.”

This trend points to the importance of plant-based meat companies competing with traditional meat products not only in taste and price but also in clearly communicating their value propositions—whether focused on health, sustainability, animal welfare, or simply being delicious and nutritious. The marketing and messaging of these products will play a key role in their penetration of new consumer segments moving forward.

Emerging Opportunities: Traditional Plant-Based Proteins and More

LC also shared her excitement about the growing interest in traditional plant-based proteins like tofu, tempeh, and seitan, which are experiencing significant growth. “I see a lot of opportunity for value-added products in these categories, such as a flavored tofu-burger or prepared tempeh product,” LC noted. This trend shows that plant-based proteins do not have to replicate meat, and opportunities can be found in age-old, market-tested products that meet the needs of vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians alike.

Additionally, the breakfast and bakery sectors are emerging as promising areas for plant-based innovation. According to LC, these categories can capitalize on the demand for “better-for-you” options and meet consumer needs effectively.

“Another trend we see is non-food products like plant-based cleaners and packaging.” This is exciting to see as it builds a larger ecosystem around plant-based products that expands beyond the foods themselves. 

Roadmap to Success

It is clear from LC’s perspective that plant-based products continue to see strong demand across a wide variety of categories. At the same time, the challenge remains for plant-based companies to clearly define their value and purpose to the customers they serve. 

When asked how to succeed in the Sysco ecosystem LC referenced “clear communication and flexibility”. To reach the wide customer base Sysco offers, it is important to have a clearly defined value proposition that authentically translates to the consumer buying the product. This is the best roadmap for success in the fluid and ever-evolving environment that is the plant-based marketplace. The customer needs to understand “what” they are buying and “why” in the split second available to make choices in a grocery or foodservice environment.

The insights shared during the interview provide a clear roadmap for the future of plant-based foods within Sysco’s offerings. As the market continues to evolve, it’s evident that traditional plant-based proteins and innovative products in the breakfast and bakery categories will be pivotal in driving growth. Retailers and foodservice operators are encouraged to take note of these trends and consider how they can integrate these products into their offerings to meet the growing demand for sustainable, plant-based options.

Register for a FREE Pulse Insider account and watch the full session recording here!