Vegan “bleeding” Impossible Burgers are coming to cafeterias across the U.S.
Major foodservice company Sodexo will begin distributing the plant-based patty later this year to colleges, hospitals, and major corporate company offices, including Unilever and Ford.
The patty — made by Impossible Foods — is available to 1,500 cafeterias across the country. Whilst Sodexo’s customers do not have to order the burger, the company predicts the vast majority will, due to rising demand for more plant-based food from consumers.
More and more Americans are ditching animal products, predominantly for health reasons, but also for the environment and animal welfare.
According to a recent study, 47 percent of Americans who eat plant-based foods do so for the animals, 53 percent do so for their health, and 44 percent are motivated by sustainability concerns and the environment.
“Plant-based is a pretty big strategy for us,” said Rob Morasco — the senior director of culinary development at Sodexo — in a statement. “More plant on the plate really is the number one trend we’re seeing among all types of eaters.”
The Rise of the Impossible Burger
Even if the Impossible Burger doesn’t land in their work cafeteria, many consumers will still be able to get their hands on the “bleeding” plant-based patty. It’s now available nationwide from fast-food joint Burger King.
After a hugely successful trial period in Missouri, Burger King began rolling out the Impossible Whopper to all of its U.S. locations earlier this year. It’s now officially available from more than 7,000 of its restaurants.
With its “bleeding” vegan burger — and soon plant-based steak, chicken, and even fish — Impossible Foods wants to help shift the food system away from using animals for meat.
Its website notes, “we’ve been eating meat since we lived in caves. And today, some of our most magical moments together happen around meat: weekend barbecues. Midnight fast-food runs. Taco Tuesdays. Hot dogs at the ballpark.”
“Those moments are special, and we never want them to end,” it continues. “But using animals to make meat is a prehistoric and destructive technology … we’re making meat using plants, so that we never have to use animals again. That way, we can eat all the meat we want, for as long as we want. And save the best planet in the known universe.”
