Veganuary may be over but for thousands it has become a way of life.
Forget vegan-unfriendly plant-based burgers cooked on the same grill as meat. These Scottish companies are at the forefront of producing proper vegan food and are winning legions of legume-loving fans around the world.
What’s just as inspiring is that many of these entrepreneurs have come from overseas and set up their businesses in Scotland. They are making a great addition to our nation’s already strong farming and food sectors.
Nutcrafter
American couple Francesco Accolla and Aimee Jackson moved to Glasgow in 2013 and founded Nutcrafter Creamery to make organic, plant-based food. Based at Quarriers’ village in Renfrewshire, the firm’s products include aged cheese-substitutes, spreads and fresh options.
Planet Kuku
Mat Noniewicz and Maria Janowczyk began making plant-based frittatas from their home in 2015 and sold them at markets. With help from Business Gateway and Scotland’s Rural College, they’ve grown sales to £90,000 and moved into premises on Portobello’s Telferton industrial estate, supplying customers including Lomond Food Group, Margiotta and Real Foods.
Sheese
Vegan brand Sheese began life as “Scheese” in 1988 on the Isle of Bute, with Bute Island Foods opening its first factory in 1994. The current owners took over in 2003 and the company now exports its cheese substitute to Asia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and South Africa.
Baotic juice
Glasgow Caledonian University graduate Isatou Njai set up her Hippo & Hedgehog company with her partner, Paul Blackler, who she met on an Voluntary Services Overseas project in Gambia. They launched Baotic, a dairy-free, high-fibre breakfast drink made from the fruit of the baobab tree, with entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson among the fruit’s fans.
Growers Garden crisps
A fantastic example of farmers moving up the value chain. Made by a farmers’ collective based in the East of Scotland, its crisps are made with at least 27% fresh broccoli and are stocked in shops including Dobbies garden centres, Real Foods and independent retailers and farm shops.
Genius Lager
Directors Jason Clarke and Charlie Craig put nutritional information and Vegan Society accreditation on each can of their Genius Lager. The Glasgow-based company also donates 5p for every can sold to rugby legend Doddie Weir’s efforts to tackle motor neurone disease.
Sgaia vegan ‘meat’
Italian couple Alberto Casotto and Hilary Masin moved to the UK from Italy in 2011 and founded Sgaia Foods in 2015. Their plant-based meat substitutes started life in their kitchen in Wales, with production shifting to their premises in Glasgow.
Daring Foods
It “looks, cooks and tastes like chicken” but Eliott Kessas and Ross Mackay’s creation is based on plants. Glasgow-based Daring Foods has supply deals in place with companies including food services giant Brakes Scotland and in December landed a body”>
Veganuary may be over but for thousands it has become a way of life.
Forget vegan-unfriendly plant-based burgers cooked on the same grill as meat. These Scottish companies are at the forefront of producing proper vegan food and are winning legions of legume-loving fans around the world.
What’s just as inspiring is that many of these entrepreneurs have come from overseas and set up their businesses in Scotland. They are making a great addition to our nation’s already strong farming and food sectors.
Nutcrafter
American couple Francesco Accolla and Aimee Jackson moved to Glasgow in 2013 and founded Nutcrafter Creamery to make organic, plant-based food. Based at Quarriers’ village in Renfrewshire, the firm’s products include aged cheese-substitutes, spreads and fresh options.
Planet Kuku
Mat Noniewicz and Maria Janowczyk began making plant-based frittatas from their home in 2015 and sold them at markets. With help from Business Gateway and Scotland’s Rural College, they’ve grown sales to £90,000 and moved into premises on Portobello’s Telferton industrial estate, supplying customers including Lomond Food Group, Margiotta and Real Foods.
Sheese
Vegan brand Sheese began life as “Scheese” in 1988 on the Isle of Bute, with Bute Island Foods opening its first factory in 1994. The current owners took over in 2003 and the company now exports its cheese substitute to Asia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and South Africa.
Baotic juice
Glasgow Caledonian University graduate Isatou Njai set up her Hippo & Hedgehog company with her partner, Paul Blackler, who she met on an Voluntary Services Overseas project in Gambia. They launched Baotic, a dairy-free, high-fibre breakfast drink made from the fruit of the baobab tree, with entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson among the fruit’s fans.
Growers Garden crisps
A fantastic example of farmers moving up the value chain. Made by a farmers’ collective based in the East of Scotland, its crisps are made with at least 27% fresh broccoli and are stocked in shops including Dobbies garden centres, Real Foods and independent retailers and farm shops.
Genius Lager
Directors Jason Clarke and Charlie Craig put nutritional information and Vegan Society accreditation on each can of their Genius Lager. The Glasgow-based company also donates 5p for every can sold to rugby legend Doddie Weir’s efforts to tackle motor neurone disease.
Sgaia vegan ‘meat’
Italian couple Alberto Casotto and Hilary Masin moved to the UK from Italy in 2011 and founded Sgaia Foods in 2015. Their plant-based meat substitutes started life in their kitchen in Wales, with production shifting to their premises in Glasgow.
Daring Foods
It “looks, cooks and tastes like chicken” but Eliott Kessas and Ross Mackay’s creation is based on plants. Glasgow-based Daring Foods has supply deals in place with companies including food services giant Brakes Scotland and in December landed a $10 million (£7.6 million) investment from American outfit Rastelli.
Fodilicious
Fodilicious founder Lauren Leisk launched her Livingston-based company to produce snacks that don’t contain gluten, dairy, nuts or soya. Having suffered from irritable bowel syndrome from an early age, Leisk understands the need to make snacks that are healthy and fit into a wide range of diets. They’re vegan-friendly too.
Coco Chocolat
You’ve heard the saying ‘too good to eat’ – well some might say Coco Chocolat’s creations are too beautiful to even open. The Edinburgh firm’s bars are wrapped in paper designed by artists such as Timorous Beasties and Gillian Kyle. Their vegan range includes Gin & Tonic, Cold Brew Coffee and Haggis Spice. Oh yes, and Passion Fruit – did I hear someone say Valentine’s Day?
0 million (£7.6 million) investment from American outfit Rastelli.
Fodilicious
Fodilicious founder Lauren Leisk launched her Livingston-based company to produce snacks that don’t contain gluten, dairy, nuts or soya. Having suffered from irritable bowel syndrome from an early age, Leisk understands the need to make snacks that are healthy and fit into a wide range of diets. They’re vegan-friendly too.
Coco Chocolat
You’ve heard the saying ‘too good to eat’ – well some might say Coco Chocolat’s creations are too beautiful to even open. The Edinburgh firm’s bars are wrapped in paper designed by artists such as Timorous Beasties and Gillian Kyle. Their vegan range includes Gin & Tonic, Cold Brew Coffee and Haggis Spice. Oh yes, and Passion Fruit – did I hear someone say Valentine’s Day?
