bidfood vegan christmas cheesecake

The Christmas selection features 27 vegan options across starters, mains and desserts

Bidfood has launched its first dedicated vegan category as part of its new Christmas range catalogue.

There are 27 vegan options across starters, mains and desserts in its 700-strong Christmas product selection.

Festive vegan options include a chocolate orange tart and a lemon swirl cheesecake. Its own-label Premium Selection features a Belgian chocolate and raspberry torte.

Bidfood has also expanded its free-from range with five non-dairy ice creams and added seven gluten-free traybakes and tarts from Devon supplier Quality Cuisine.

“Whilst the holiday season will always be about indulgence and fun festive flavours, there’s more of a call than ever for products that reflect wider market trends,” said Bidfood campaign manager Laura Mason. “From world flavour influences to vegan and free-from options, this year’s collection is about catering for everyone.

Read more: Bidfood cuts sugar in 27 lines in efforts to meet PHE targets

“With the significant jump in the UK vegan population we are keen to ensure we have strong choices for this area of the market, particularly when it comes to desserts.”

According to Compare the Market’s research published in April, there are now up to 3.5 million vegans in the UK.

Bidfood has also worked to create a “classic flavour with a modern twist”, offering exotic flavours such as orange and pomegranate stuffing in its Turkey ballotine and duck koftas flavoured with hoisin sauce and five spices.

“We’re looking at pushing the barriers of customer tastebuds,” said Bidfood fresh meat category manager Paul Ambler.

“No other foodservice producers are doing flavours like this.”

Bidfood is also offering over 150 festive deals on deliveries from 1 November to 31 December.

This Christmas catalogue launch follows Bidfood’s expansion of own-label meat range Farmstead to include frozen last week.

Bidfood sells 13,000 products across own-brand and foodservice brands, and currently has 23 depots operating across the UK.