Premium soup supplier Yorkshire Provender is stepping into Innocent Veg Pots territory with the launch of fresh single-serve soups.

The three-strong range described by the company as combining the convenience of soup with the sustenance of a meal will roll out to Sainsbury's stores next week (rsp: £1.99).

The company plans to change the range of flavours seasonally, with the initial line-up offering summer soup with ham; vegetable broth with chicken & kaffir lime; and a vegetarian option: green summer vegetable soup.

The 400g soups are sub-branded as 'Lunch' and are sold in clear rectangular pots with a cardboard sleeve. They have a shelf-life of about 14 days.

The company said sales of its existing 600g soups designed for eating at home were £5.5m annually and predicted first-year sales for the new range of £500,000.

"We have wanted to move into the food-to-go market for some time," said Yorkshire Provender co-founder Belinda Williams.

"We wanted to offer something different from a veg pot or a sandwich. Our aim is to add incremental growth to chilled soups by making satisfying food more accessible to a young and busy workforce."

Another premium soup brand, Glorious!, is also targeting the lunchtime market with the roll-out of its first single-serve products. The range, which is being released exclusively to David Lloyd Leisure gyms, comprises chicken & orzo and two Skinny Soups: in spiced tomato & ­lentil and butternut squash flavours (rsp from: £2).