A Noosa mum has found the secret to encouraging kids to eat more ‘plant-based’ food — turn it into a nugget shape.
Tammy Fry, from the plant-based food brand Fry’s, has launched two products aimed at hangry toddlers, hungry teens and parents in need of lunchbox inspiration.
The Popcorn Chick’n and Stars & Moons nuggets have been “flying off the shelves” at Woolworths and Coles in their first month.
Stars & Moons is the first plant-based ‘chicken nugget’ shape on the Australian market.
The non-meat snacks are part of a trend towards cutting back animal products and the Sunshine Coast is leading that movement, named the top vegan hotspot in Queensland.
Government and industry have identified a $13 billion market opportunity for growth in plant-based protein as consumers seek food with less impact.
However, reducing meat intake does not mean you have to become vegan or vegetarian.
A recent study estimated that about one-quarter of Australians (26 per cent) were choosing to eat less meat while embracing ‘flexitarianism’.
‘Flexitarianism’ combines the best of both worlds, allowing people to make manageable changes to their eating habits. Typically, a flexitarian will eat predominantly plant-based with smaller amounts of meat.
“To be flexitarian means you are choosing less meat but not cutting it out completely,” said Ms Fry, a vegan.
“On the days that people are meat-free, they are choosing to replace the animal proteins with a wide selection of plant proteins, healthy grains, and vegetables, allowing for a greater variety on people’s plates.”
“This dietary choice means healthier choices overall that are better for the body and lower environmental impact meaning better for the planet. It’s a win-win.”
The Fry Family Food Co’s new plant-based snacks were launched in Coles and Woolworths, with the Popcorn Chick’n in both retailers and Stars & Moons in Coles.
“Our new snacking products were inspired by our own challenges with feeding our kids with busy schedules,” Ms Fry said.
“My sister Hayley and I both have very active tweens and teens, and they are all constantly hungry – looking for that quick fix they can toss in the air fryer.”
“These two innovations are some of our best work at Fry’s.
“We have taken what we do really, really well (our chicken-style products) and we have adapted them into easy to use, super tasty products with strong consumer appeal – especially when it comes to parents who are looking for snack options that are both convenient and healthier.”
