Philosophresh

The challenge

Meat production is behind 60% of all greenhouse gas emissions from food production. Compared to growing plants production of meat emits 28 times more GHG. Massive amounts of land, food, energy, and water are required to raise animals: more than two-thirds of the recorded deforestation in the Amazon can be attributed to the production of beef and soy -- 77% of which is harvested for animal feed. With the urgency of climate change no longer able to be put in the collective back burner, many individuals, especially those of the recent generations, feel inherently keen to make positive contributions to the world by "treading more lightly" on earth. Evidences on the environmental benefits and the statistics on the growth of vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian diets seem to suggest that the future is plant based. Around 42% of people in Australia, for example, are eating less meat or none at all, and many other countries such as the US and the UK are seeing similar trends. Although the Netherlands ranks 11th in the world for national popularity of veganism, only 5% of the population consider themselves vegetarian. But what if there are better, lekkerder, easier, and more affordable options that make opting for plant-based meals unpassable for even the most diehard meat lovers? In short: we address the need for delicious, nutritious and convenient plant-based meals that prioritise planetary and human health while making cutting down on meat consumption easy.

The solution

A range of delicious, plant-based ready meals that include a complete serving of sustainably-sourced vegetables, beans and legumes. The meals are flash-frozen to preserve nutrients, flavour, and freshness. Unlike conventional freezing, heated flash-frozen meals retain optimal nutrients and are indistinguishable from heated meals that have never been frozen. Ingredients are sourced directly from farmers we work with in an aim to increase biodiversity and offset the negative environmental impacts of monocrops in conventional farming. In the dry snacks category, we address the demand for plant-based indulgent treats that "taste naughty", but are made with clean, all-natural ingredients. Our high-protein brownie is made out of ingredients such as black beans, oats, and Stevia, a natural 0-calorie sweetener. The beans will have an undetectable flavour in the final product and will very closely resemble the texture of a regular brownie.