SATS steps into alternative proteins, sustainable foods
SATS Executive Chef Matthew Yim plates alternative protein sandos (Photos courtesy SATS)
SATS Ltd. (SATS) today announced a collaboration with alternative protein brands and food tech startups to drive consumer adoption of sustainable foods in Asia.
The SATS wholly owned subsidiary, Country Foods Pte Ltd (CF) is harnessing its culinary expertise across many cuisines, high food safety standards, food technologies and a global distribution network to build momentum for sustainable foods.
Country Foods has partnered food tech startups like Impossible Foods, v2food, Fable Food and JUST Egg since the end of 2019. It also began working with Singapore’s first alternative protein company Growthwell Foods in 2020. This year, SATS began working with MNC Tyson Foods, the world’s second largest processor and marketer of traditional proteins.
Growthwell Oriental Spice Fried Squid with Lime Mayo
“From joint product innovation and development to bringing brands to market through distribution channels spanning retail and foodservice chains in Singapore and abroad, Country Foods and SATS’ experienced chefs, dietitians, and food technologists are working closely with brand owners to tailor their product offerings for diverse and unique Asian palates,” said a release from SATS.
Country Foods and its alternative protein partners are enlisting the SATS culinary team’s know-how to boost consumer knowledge and acceptance of plant-based alternatives, by developing menus that introduce alternative and traditional proteins in hybrid dishes across familiar local and Asian cuisines, and ready meals to make sustainable food options more accessible across Asia. SATS sees a growing consumer demand for safe, healthier, and more convenient food by enhancing out-of-home and at-home dining experiences through a variety of food offerings that would appeal to different diets and increasingly “flexitarian” lifestyles.
For example, Country Foods’ collaboration with Singapore-based Growthwell creates more opportunities for consumers in Singapore to enjoy locally produced seafood alternatives made from konjac and soy in our local supermarkets and various restaurant chains. Country Foods has also embarked on retail distribution for Tyson’s first line of First Pride Green Series plant-based meat alternatives in Asia in local supermarkets from September 2021, while introducing v2’s alternative proteins to institutional catering channels and foodservice chains in an ongoing push. Through a collaboration between Country Foods and the SATS Global Innovation Centre Hubs in Singapore and the UK, the group has connected Australia-based Fable Food to growth opportunities in Asia and beyond. SATS subsidiary, Monty’s Bakehouse, has developed a range of Fable mushroom-based alternative protein meal solutions with the SATS UK Innovation Hub team, which is slated to launch under the M&S Plant Kitchen brand in UK M&S stores from April 2022.
“We are well positioned to feed and connect communities by continuously strengthening food supply chain resilience and driving consumer adoption of sustainable foods through SATS’ capabilities across the agri-food value chain,” said Kerry Mok, President and Chief Executive Officer Designate, SATS Ltd. “Our responsibility is our opportunity, and consumer education is key to the success of alternative proteins in Asia and other markets. It’s about how SATS – together with our partners – responds to the preferences of increasingly eco-conscious consumers and utilizing our culinary expertise to adapt different alternative proteins to get the right taste and texture to delight consumers”.
