Plantifull Food Co chilli

Plant-based startup The Plantifull Food Co is set to make its grocery debut with the launch of a ready meals range.

A quartet of chilled vegan-friendly meals are set to roll out next month: Creamy Mac with Spinach & Tomatoes, Three Bean Chilli with Brown Rice, ‘Shroomy Risotto (rsp: £3.70) and Gluten Free Creamy Mac with Green Peas (rsp: £3.95). All but the mac with spinach are gluten-free – while all are free from preservatives and a source of protein (up to 5g per 100g). Each variant comes in a 100% recyclable 330ml plastic pot.

To achieve the creamy texture for the pasta dishes, Plantifull used a blend of sweet potato and nutritional yeast, said the brand’s co-founder Becca Courtenay. She and her husband Adam spent a year developing the four meals after going vegan and finding it “really difficult to come home and cook every single night”.

The launch of Plantifull was aimed at dispelling the misconception that “vegans only eat salad” Courtenay added. It would also create a demand for plant-based ready meals that “wasn’t really present in the market”.

Made by a BRC-accredited supplier in Portsmouth, the NPD will be available from the second week of March across London in Planet Organic, As Nature Intended and around 20 independents – with an introductory 20% discount until the end of April.