Why #MeatlessMarch is the Perfect Time to Embrace Plant-Based Catering

March is here, and with it comes a timely reminder that the appetites of our guests are changing. Whether you’re coordinating a wedding buffet, a corporate hospitality spread, a wake, or a conference lunch, the chances are that a significant proportion of your guests are cutting back on meat, going fully vegetarian, or embracing veganism. Ignoring this shift is somewhat of a missed opportunity.

At Frank Dale Foodservice, we’ve long believed that great plant-based food should never feel like an afterthought. This March, whilst #VeggieMonth aka #MeatlessMarch is in full swing, we’re putting our vegetarian and vegan range firmly in the spotlight – and giving caterers every reason to stock up.

Controlled portion catering

Here’s what the latest data tells us:

• Vegans: Approximately 2.5 million people in the UK now identify as vegan which is around 4.7% of the adult population.
• Vegetarians: Around 7% of the UK population – roughly 3.7 million people – follow a vegetarian diet.
• Flexitarians: This is perhaps the most commercially important group for caterers. According to Kantar, around 21.5% of UK consumers currently identify as flexitarian – actively reducing their meat consumption without eliminating it entirely. That’s more than one in five of your guests.

What this means for professional caterers

Whether you’re managing a wedding for 200 guests, a buffet wake, a corporate hospitality suite, or a hotel afternoon tea, the principle is the same: every guest deserves something they’re genuinely excited to eat.

At any large-scale event, you can expect a substantial proportion of guests to be seeking vegetarian or vegan options – and many more who will actively choose them when the food looks and tastes good enough. The question is not whether to offer plant-based options, but how well you offer them.

Practical Tips for Caterers: Getting Plant-Based Right

• Label clearly but positively. Describe items by their flavours first (‘Vibrant Roasted Vegetable Quiche’), not just their dietary category. It makes the food sound more appetising to everyone.
• Plan your veggie ratio thoughtfully. Industry guidance suggests that with one in five guests are now flexitarian or plant-based, a ratio of at least 25–30% vegetarian and vegan options is commercially sensible for most events.
• Use frozen stock as your safety net. Always keep a core range of Frank Dale frozen vegetarian and vegan products in stock. They’re your insurance policy for last-minute bookings, surprise dietary requests, and events where guest numbers shift.
• Promote your plant-based offering proactively. Include your vegetarian and vegan menu options prominently in your sales materials and quotes. For many clients, a caterer’s ability to offer something for all dietary needs is often a key selection criteria.

Take a closer look at Frank Dale’s Veggie & Vegan Range

Our plant-based range has been developed with professional caterers in mind – designed to impress and easy to serve, with our hand-finished quality for which Frank Dale is renowned.

Our Vegetarian Highlights

• Mini Quiche Selection – classic crowd-pleaser, perfect for buffets of any size
• Vibrant Mini Quiche Selection – a bold, colourful twist ideal for modern, visually driven events
• Brie & Sun Blush Tomato Pickups – elegant, sophisticated, and a perennial favourite
• Strawberry & Cream Scones – the centrepiece of any afternoon tea
• Mini Victoria Sponges & Mini Black Forests – indulgent sweet options no dessert buffet should be without

Our Vegan Highlights

Our vegan range uses carefully selected plant-based ingredients to create products that satisfy vegans and non-vegans alike.

• • Plant Based Mini Quiche Selection – identical elegance to the classic range, 100% vegan
  • Mini Chocolate Cake Selection – rich, indulgent, and fully vegan. Your guests won’t believe they’re vegan
  • Mini Topped Naan Bread Selection – these bite-sized naans come in three incredible flavours

Ready to Stock Up for #VeggieMonth?

Browse our full vegetarian and vegan range at here or download our latest product catalogue to see everything we offer. Whether you need Thaw & Serve simplicity or Heat & Eat convenience, our team is here to help you put together a plant-based menu that your clients will remember – for all the right reasons.

Our products are available to the UK foodservice sector via our frozen food distributor partner Central Foods.

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