Veganz And Aramark Partner Up To Bring Sustainable Catering To Sporting Events And Corporate Sectors

Berlin’s Veganz has signed a long-term cooperative agreement with food service provider Aramark. The partnership will see Veganz vegan products used across the whole Aramark business model. Increased vegan options throughout sports, events, and corporate sectors are being targeted by the move. 

Neu-Isenburg-headquartered Aramark has committed to a sustainability strategy that includes increasing its vegan food portfolio. Current brands include Beyond Meat, Eat Just, and Ocean Hugger Foods. Access to Veganz products and developments will increase Aramark’s plant-based reach in various locations. Educational establishments, hospitals, sports arenas, and professional canteens are all currently serviced.

Combined efforts

The two companies will be joining together to create newly-developed meals. Base Veganz products including mince and sausages will be used to perfect vegan versions of traditional dishes. Finished products will form part of Aramark’s ‘Be well. Do well’.’ initiative that seeks to promote plant-based eating for sustainability. A large number of the items will be made at the new Veganz facility in Werder.

“It is a huge step in the right direction and a win-win for both parties,” Arnd Rune Thomas, managing director of operations at Aramark said in a statement. “With our expertise, we’re supporting Veganz in gaining a stronger foothold in the catering market, while simultaneously expanding our portfolio of delicious climate-friendly meals. The excellent brand image that Veganz enjoys as ‘Germany’s most innovative food brand 2021‘ is perfectly in sync with our own guidelines.”

Veganz has been experiencing significant growth. Alongside a new production plant, the company has secured a presence in Australia and Greece. Last November, it revealed a successful IPO launch on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Close to €34 million was raised to support the new manufacturing location and future expansion. “We are delighted that our cooperation with Aramark will allow us to reach even more people with our climate-friendly products and further expand the range in the catering sector,” Jan Bredack, founder and CEO of Veganz said in a statement.

Veganz’s product portfolio currently consists of around 120 items. They are available to buy in at least half of Europe. Aramark is Germany’s second-largest caterer, servicing a wide variety of customer business models and sectors.

Germany’s burgeoning alt-protein sector

Once the country of schnitzels and wurst, Germany is stepping up to the vegan plate. Domestic brands and global chains are offering more plant-based options than ever before. An E.U. study identified Germany as a key growth area for vegan products. Of 11 countries studied, it was home to the fastest sector growth, with full-time meat-eaters now being a minority—a first for Germany. 

Last year it was announced that Berlin-based BettaF!sh had secured a partnership with ALDI. It launched three flavours of TU-NAH sandwiches across 4,000 stores in Germany. The same range went on to be available in Switzerland. Made from legumes and seaweed, the TU-NAH offering has recently been expanded to include a vegan pizza. It has been launched in time for Veganuary.

Earlier in 2021, LIDL Germany unveiled more than 450 carbon-neutral vegan products. Under the ‘Vemondo’ banner, new lines were rolled out to all country-wide stores as demand for alternatives continued to soar.

All images courtesy of Veganz.