Linda McCartney Foods facts for kids
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Linda McCartney Foods in Holt Road, Fakenham
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| Industry | Vegetarian cuisine |
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| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Linda McCartney |
| Parent | Hain Celestial Group |
Linda McCartney Foods is a British company that makes yummy vegetarian and vegan food. This means their products do not contain any meat or animal products. You can find their food in many countries, like the UK, Norway, and Australia. They make frozen and chilled foods like veggie burgers, sausages, sausage rolls, meatballs, and even pasta dishes. These foods are often called "meat analogues" because they taste like meat but are made from plants!
The company was started in 1991 by Linda McCartney. She was a famous musician, photographer, and someone who cared a lot about animals. Her food brand became one of the most successful celebrity food lines. Over the years, the brand has been owned by different companies, including McVitie's and Heinz. Since 2006, it has been part of the Hain Celestial Group. The McCartney family still helps with new ideas for the brand.
Contents
The Story of Linda McCartney Foods
How it All Started
Linda McCartney Foods began in 1991. It launched with a range of frozen vegetarian products. These included golden nuggets, pies, lasagna, and "beefless" burgers. The recipes were inspired by Linda McCartney's cookbook, Linda McCartney's Home Cooking. This cookbook was even used by the chef for her band's tour in 1989. That tour was special because it was the first "veggie tour" with only vegetarian food!
The first food packages showed Linda McCartney's picture and signature. They also had a special seal from the Vegetarian Society. This showed that the food was approved for vegetarians. The ready meals were made by a company called Ross Young's.
More products were added in 1991 and 1992. These included Spaghetti Bolognese-style dishes and deep country pies. The Spaghetti Bolognese-style was unique because it was the only plant-based version available then. The brand also started selling its products across Europe and in America in 1992.
Changing Ingredients and New Products
In 1993, the ingredients in the products changed. They switched from textured vegetable protein (TVP) to wheat protein. This change made the food taste even more like meat. By 1995, the product range grew even more. A new factory opened in Fakenham, and the brand started showing TV commercials. New items included country-style Kievs and crunchy garlic grills.
In America, Linda McCartney launched a special line of frozen meals in 1994. It was called Linda McCartney's Home Style Cooking. This was the first American company to offer a full range of meat-free food. Some of these dishes included Fettuccini Alfredo, Pasta Primavera, and Chili Non-Carne.
New Owners Over Time
In March 1996, the brand became part of United Biscuits' McVitie's company. They worked to make the food even healthier. They reduced fat and salt and added more protein. At this time, they offered 14 different products.
Later, in December 1999, the company was sold to Heinz. Heinz planned to sell the vegetarian food all over the world. Then, in 2006, the brand was sold again to the Hain Celestial Group. The McCartney family still helps with new ideas for the brand today.
What Products They Make
Linda McCartney Foods offers many chilled and frozen plant-based foods. These include burgers, sausages, sausage rolls, meatballs, and stir-fry dishes. They also make different kinds of pasta meals. Some older products included American Barbecue and Traditional Stew.
Over the years, like many food companies, Linda McCartney Foods had some product checks. For example, in 1992, some pies had too much meat by mistake. In 1995, some "beefless" burgers had more fat than advertised. There were also questions about some ingredients in 1999.
Supporting Sports
Linda McCartney Foods supported a cycling team started by Julian Clarke in 1998. This team was called the Linda McCartney cycle team. In 2000, it became the first British team to race in the Giro d'Italia, a very famous cycling race. One of their riders, David McKenzie, even won a stage! However, the team stopped racing later that same year.
See also
