There's nothing a little Ikea retail therapy and post-shop plate of Swedish meatballs can't fix. Unless you're vegan, in which case the latter half of that activity just isn't your thing. For now that is. Late last week, Ikea announced its plans to introduce plant-based meatballs to restaurant menus by 2020.
The home furniture megastore—and its beloved in-store café—are currently "collaborating with some of the leading suppliers within the industry doing the first tests and tastings of the plant-based alternative protein meatball," they said in a statement. Ikea will reportedly begin consumer testing early next year before launching the product internationally.
"We see a growing demand from our customers to have access to more sustainable food options and we want to meet that need," managing director at Ikea Food Services AB Michael La Cour said in a statement. "Our ambition is to make healthier and more sustainable eating easy, desirable, and affordable, without comprising on taste and texture." And that's exactly what the company is hoping to achieve with its new meatless meatballs. We know it's an oxymoron, but just roll with it.
While it isn't the brand's first meatless option—they introduced "Veggie Balls" in 2015—the venture does mark their first with an Impossible Burger-esque product. "Hej meatball lovers: We're working on a new meatball, made from plant-based alternative protein," Ikea added on Instagram. "We want to create a more sustainable version of our iconic meatball that looks and tastes like meat - but needs no meat." We're here for it, guys!
