Carbon Neutral Burgers - with case study from fast food brand LEON

Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero: The Opportunity for the Food & Beverage Industry

(with case study from fast food brand LEON)

Not simply the latest environmental trend, carbon neutrality is an imperative goal to halt global warming. But it can also have a significant benefit on a company’s performance - both reputational and financial – as Emilien Hoet from carbon consultancy,

ClimatePartner, outlines in this 1,500-word article. The article will include a case study on how fast food brand,

LEON, came to recently launch their carbon-neutral burger & fries in support of their commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030.

Overview: The risks of climate change now need little introduction. We are already starting to live with the impacts of a changing climate on communities, businesses and supply chains. Within the food and beverage industry climate change is already impacting food production, water scarcity and extreme weather events, all which pose huge risks to businesses and future food security.

The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report delivered the unnerving news that we have less than a 10-year window to act on climate and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It made plain that limiting warming to 2°C will not be enough to prevent the most serious impacts. In order to achieve this goal, we need to reach global net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The UK food supply chain from production to consumption accounts for about 20% of UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making it vulnerable to increased demands for climate action.

Achieving carbon neutrality comes with its challenges, but it also presents significant opportunities to the food and beverage industry – from meeting increasing consumer preference for low carbon products; costs saved through energy reduction programs; greater innovation to achieve competitive advantage; enhancement of brand reputation; better preparedness for future legislation and the building of more financially- and climate-resilient supply chains.

Case Study: Naturally fast food brand LEON is the first fast food brand to serve a carbon-neutral burger and fries range in its restaurants. The company is measuring, reducing and offsetting the carbon footprint of their burgers and fries, with support from solution provider ClimatePartner. This is done by measuring the CO2 emissions from the whole supply chain which includes all LEON’s ingredients, any packaging used and its waste, as well as emissions from prep in their restaurant kitchens. LEON uses 100% green electricity (no gas) in its kitchens supplied by Ecotricity.

The carbon footprint of these menu items will be offset with rainforest conservation projects in South America, as well as a progressive new afforestation project in the UK.

The launch is an important step for the business as it aims to reach net zero by 2030, by reporting on and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and furthering work to support biodiversity.

LEON launches carbon-neutral burger & fries, in support of their commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030

13 January 2021 - Naturally Fast Food brand LEON is the first fast food brand to serve a carbon-neutral burger and fries range in its restaurants.

Launching as part of a new menu on 13th January, the carbon neutral items will make it easier for guests to learn more about the environmental impact of their food choices and choose options which lower their own personal carbon footprint, as LEON continues with its commitment to offer food that tastes good, does you good, is affordable and is kind to the planet.

LEON is measuring, reducing and offsetting the carbon footprint of their burgers and fries, with support from solution provider ClimatePartner1. This is done by measuring the CO2 emissions from the whole supply chain which includes all LEON’s ingredients, any packaging used and its waste, as well as emissions from prep in their restaurant kitchens. LEON uses 100% green electricity (no gas) in its kitchens supplied by Ecotricity.

The carbon neutral dishes include the new Crispy Chicken Parm and Vegan Sweet Carolina BBQ burgers, as well as the new recipe LOVe Burger, Fish Finger Burger and Chargrilled Chicken Burgers, and their baked waffle fries. LEON’s popular LOVe burger is now made with a new recipe pea protein patty from plant based producer Meatless Farm3, which has also helped the menu item have a lower impact.

The carbon footprint of these menu items will be offset with rainforest conservation projects in South America, as well as a progressive new afforestation project in the UK.

Kirsty Saddler, Values and Sustainability Director at LEON said, “Being kind to the planet has been at the heart of LEON since we launched in 2004. We are working to reduce our emissions and achieve a net zero target by 2030, offsetting unavoidable emissions, with reforestation and afforestation projects, is an important commitment for us as we work towards that long-term target.

“Partnering with Meatless Farm and ClimatePartner to become the UK’s first fast food restaurant to launch a carbon-neutral burger and fries range on the high-street is an important next step for us as a sustainable business. The future of fast food must be kinder to the planet.”

The launch is an important step for the business as it aims to reach net zero by 2030, by reporting on and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and furthering work to support biodiversity. This is aligned with the Council for Sustainable Business4 commitments which the brand signed up to in June 2020.

John Vincent, LEON CEO and co-founder is Chair of the Council for Sustainable Business, established by the UK government in 2018 bringing together business leaders to advise Defra ministers and policy teams. The council is focused on the need to take extraordinary actions to cut carbon emissions and restore nature and wildlife over the next 10 years, driving a ‘decade of difference’ for climate change and nature.

Morten Toft Bech, founder, Meatless Farm said: “Reducing your meat consumption is a simple step that anybody can take to help decrease your impact on the environment by reducing carbon emissions and that is driving a huge demand for plant-based meat alternatives. Consumers want these options when they are eating out or on the go as well as at home, so it’s important to us that we help them make good choices for the environment without having to compromise on flavour”.

“It’s a real privilege to be supporting such a valuesdriven brand on their sustainability journey, taking concrete climate action today. Enabling their customers to make more sustainable menu choices is very much a first step of a holistic sustainability strategy. For Leon to achieve Climate Neutrality for its most material menu items amidst a pandemic that has severely affected the restaurant industry sends a strong message that tackling climate change is everyone’s responsibility.” Emilien Hoet, Head of ClimatePartner UK

Meadow Vale’s award winning Shredded Chicken fires up to 3 products with new Salt & Chilli

Following on from Shredded Chicken winning Gold at the British Frozen Food awards, Meadow Vale have introduced a new flavour to its very popular Homestyle chicken category after consumer demand for a spicy variant

The new Salt & Chilli Shredded Chicken uses the signature Homestyle crunchy coating with a mix of authentic ingredients including Chilli and Paprika to give it a spicy kick. They come in convenient 1kg bags and are fully cooked, hand cut, whole muscle chicken breast fillets, simply deep fry in 1-2 minutes from frozen or oven bake for a consistent great tasting product.

Meadow Vale Foods Managing Director, Nigel O’Donnell commented ‘We are delighted to introduce another product to our popular Homestyle range, the coating was developed for the takeaway and delivery making it perfect for businesses who are adapting to offer this service for the first time.’ Nigel went on to say ‘our fantastic product development team have added 6 new products to our range despite the challenging year, this shows our commitment to continue to innovate and bring great tasting, quality products to the industry.’

Meadow Vale Foods specifically developed the Homestyle range with its innovative crunchy textured coating to appeal directly to the Delivery, Street Food and QSR markets. The authentic whole muscle chicken product has proved equally popular with caterers from all sectors. Each portion is hand cut and coated giving it a truly home cooked look and feel, they cook from frozen in just 90 seconds and thanks to their innovative textured coating remain crunchy for longer. We have created a menu idea brochure to show the versatility of our new Salt & Chilli Shredded Chicken which you can see on the Meadow Vale Foods website www.meadowvalefoods.co.uk