Patties Foods has relaunched Ruffie Rustic Foods frozen ready meal range to be entirely plant-based whilst giving it a fresh new look.
It’s aim is to satisfy market demand from the growing number of Australians choosing to incorporate more vegetables and meat alternatives into their diet.
The new range includes a plant-based version of an Aussie pub classic, a chicken-less schnitzel with al dente penne pomodoro, which has been “flying off freezer shelves since launch due to its near-perfect plant-based recreation of traditional comfort food”.
Other dishes in the range include a vegan-friendly butter chicken-less in a rich coconut milk sauce, spaghetti and meat-less balls in Napoli, a fragrant Thai green chicken-less curry and a hearty portobello mushroom risotto with white beans & broccoli.
Consumer attitudes towards vegan products continue to evolve as plant-based eating becomes more mainstream. Market research shows there has been a distinct shift in consumer demand for products that support a holistic lifestyle change, rather than promote weight loss.
“In the last 12 months, the lifestyle category has experienced 183.7% growth, while the weight management category has decreased in value by 23%.”
While demand for plant-based alternatives that look and taste ‘just like meat’ continue, a growing number of consumers seek out dishes that champion vegetables rather than mimic meat.
“This consumer preference is evident in the popularity of Ruffie Rustic Foods’ portobello mushroom risotto ready meal, which has been a best seller since the relaunch.”
Ruffie Rustic Foods plant-based range aims to cater to this lifestyle shift by providing balanced, nutritious, and protein-packed frozen meals that satisfy both plant-based meat and veggie lovers.
Patties Foods Ltd GM of Marketing & Innovation Anand Surujpal says, “Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, or just simply wanting to try something new, Ruffie Rustic Foods is all about promoting a healthy, balanced lifestyle with an emphasis on progress not perfection. With this new plant-based range, we want to treat our customers to the classic flavours they love, in a modern and convenient way.”
The entire range of five delicious meals is meat-free, plant-based, vegan-friendly and a good source of protein. All meals are made with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients wherever possible and are a direct response to consumer demand for convenient, delicious plant-based alternatives to crowd favourites.
Ruffie Rustic Foods’ frozen range (RRP $7) is available at Woolworths and select independent grocers, and petrol and convenience outlets nationally.
