SOCIAL INNOVATION
Crafting Delicious & Sustainable Jackfruit Plant-Based Delicacies for Health, Prosperity & the Planet
Video Presentation
Together, we explore the journey of Lemit Foods, a startup based in Hau Giang province, Vietnam, that has embarked on a remarkable culinary adventure. Faced with social problems such as low income, limited job opportunities, and an unsustainable value chain in the jackfruit industry, Lemit Foods emerged as a social enterprise with a vision to empower farmers, create shared knowledge, and build a sustainable value chain.
This delves into Lemit Foods’ mission, social solutions, and its commitment to taste, health, and sustainability in providing plant-based meat alternatives. Furthermore, it highlights the company’s focus on addressing taste and texture concerns, promoting health and wellness, supporting local farmers and communities, and embracing environmental sustainability through circular practices.
Introduction
Lemit Foods has emerged as a social enterprise with the mission to revolutionize the perception of plant-based meat alternatives and create a positive impact on the food system. This case provides an overview of Lemit Foods’ vision, mission, and social solutions and business model designed to address social issues in the food system.
Vision
Our vision for Lemit Foods is to contribute in building a world where everyone can have access to delicious plant-based foods, healthy and sustainable, and, and where local farmers and communities can thrive. We aim to create a more equitable and just food system that benefits both people and the planet.
Mission
Our mission at Lemit Foods is to innovate the Vietnam’s agrifood industry by offering plant-based meat alternatives and promoting sustainable farming practices, while supporting local communities.”
We aim to creating innovative, delicious and healthy food options to consumers who seek to reduce their meat consumption, and in doing so, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the preservation of our planet’s natural resources. We work with local farmers to source our ingredients, promote fair trade practices, and support the local economy. Our principal methods to achieve social impact include product innovation, education and awareness campaigns, and community engagement.
Our mission statement, “Taste the Future: Jackfruit Meat Alternatives for Health & Sustainability” guides our business activities and attracts stakeholders who share our values and vision. By focusing on taste, health, and sustainability, we aim to appeal to a wide range of flexitarian consumers, including both vegans and meat-eaters. Our mission aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Social Problems
This section outlines the social problems faced by Lemit Foods and how our company addresses them. These include taste and texture concerns, health and wellness considerations, unfair pricing and sourcing practices, and environmental sustainability challenges associated with meat production.
Social Solutions: Taste, Health, and Sustainability
Lemit Foods’ social solutions focus on taste, health, and sustainability. The company invests in product development to enhance the flavor, taste, and texture of our plant-based meat alternatives, making them appealing and convenient for consumers. Additionally, Lemit Foods promotes health and wellness by offering jackfruit meat products as a healthier alternative to traditional meat. The company also supports local farmers and communities by employing an inclusive business model and fostering partnerships to ensure fair pricing and sourcing practices. Furthermore, Lemit Foods adopts circular practices, minimizing waste and reducing the environmental impact of its operations.
Business Model Innovation
Lemit Foods has a multi-faceted social solution design with several intended impacts. The company aims to promote a healthy and sustainable plant-based diet by offering flavorful and textured alternatives to meat products. This can reduce health concerns related to excessive meat consumption. To achieve this, Lemit Foods plans to expand its diverse portfolio of plant-based products while showcasing Vietnamese cuisine arts and culture. In addition, Lemit Foods supports local farmers and communities by creating a new jackfruit meat industry, which contributes to the economic development of the region and promotes healthier and more sustainable food choices. Lastly, Lemit Foods focuses on sustainable sourcing and production methods, using young jackfruit for meat and cocoa powder alternatives, and adopting a circular model to minimize waste and support local farmers and communities while reducing its environmental impact.
Lemit Foods recognized that a key element of its business model innovation was to focus on upgrading value propositions based on key resources and strategic partners. We understood that by enhancing our offerings and building strong relationships, they could create competitive advantages in the market.
And so, the story of Lemit Foods continues to unfold. Our dedication to creating plant-based meat alternatives that are not only healthy but also irresistibly delicious has sparked a new chapter in the food industry in Vietnam. With every flavorful bite, Lemit Foods brings us closer to a world where taste, health, and sustainability harmoniously coexist.
Evidences for SBC Competition
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1t0aOyx8Ic9E9G0Bef5PKqY8qeG5HiXQR?usp=share_link
Our mission statement, “Tasty, Healthy, and Sustainable: Experience the Goodness of Jackfruit Meat Alternatives,” guides our business activities and attracts stakeholders who share our values and vision. By focusing on taste, health, and sustainability, we aim to appeal to a wide range of flexitarian consumers, including both vegans and meat-eaters. Our mission aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Lemit’s Solution Newness
- 1st pioneer for jackfruit’s diverse meat alrenatives in Vietnam
- Focused Vietnamese cuisine & culture
- 1st marker for jackfruit pate & cocoa-power alternative in Vietnam/region
- Commitment to continuing R&/innovation to improve solutions advantage against rivals
- Integrate with new tourism model “Jackfruit tourism” in partnership with local community and tourism experts
(*) Hau Giang ranks the 1st biggest areas of jackfruit plants in Vietnam, 7.000 hectares
Lemit Foods’ focus on Vietnamese cuisine and culture is also a unique aspect of our solution. By incorporating traditional Vietnamese flavors and dishes, we are offering a product that is distinct from existing plant-based products on the market.
Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
Lemit Foods has an all-encompassing approach to gaining support from its most important stakeholders, which includes potential payers, beneficiaries, universities, innovation organizations, suppliers, farmers, partners, regulators, government, media, social impact organizations, NGOs, investors, and influencers. The company’s strategy is to leverage various stakeholders and channels to promote its vision of sustainable and healthy plant-based food choices.
Improvement Strategy
Throughout the competition, we have gained valuable insights into the social issues related to meat consumption and the benefits of plant-based diets. Initially, we were surprised by the complexity and depth of the underlying causes, and we realized that a more holistic and integrated approach is needed to address them effectively.
Moving forward, we will continue to improve our social solutions by incorporating feedback from stakeholders, continuously monitoring and evaluating our impact, and refining our approaches based on new insights and data. We will focus on R&D activities to ensure taste and texture like meat, diverse products, implementing effective marketing and outreach strategies to increase awareness and demand for our product, and engaging with stakeholders and beneficiaries to ensure that our solutions are relevant and effective. We will also consider the sustainability and scalability of our solutions, as well as their long-term impact on the community. We will continue to iterate and refine our solutions based on feedback and data to ensure that we are continuously improving and maximizing our social impact. Finally, we will refine our supply chain and production processes and innovate our business model to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
Conclusion
Lemit Foods’ journey exemplifies how a socially oriented business model tries to drive positive social and environmental impacts while achieving financial success. By prioritizing taste, health, and sustainability, Lemit Foods challenges the misconception that vegetarian or vegan foods lack variety and palatability. The company’s dedication to creating delicious and sustainable plant-based meat alternatives paves the way for a tastier and healthier future in the food industry.
References
- Food for Thought: The Untapped Climate Opportunity in Alternative Proteins | BCG
- Plant-based diets can reduce our impact on the planet | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
- The Rise of Plant-Based Foods in Southeast Asia — Jovel Chan
- Plant-based diets can reduce our impact on the planet | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
- How to target flexitarian consumers with plant-based products (proveg.com)
- Consumer insights & research reports | Alternative proteins | GFI
Lemitfoods’ Youtube Channel
Television/Radio
- https://vtv.vn/kinh-te/thit-thuc-vat-huong-di-moi-trong-che-bien-nong-san-20221229104325938.htm
- https://vtv.vn/lien-hoan-truyen-hinh/phong-su-ngan/thit-nhung–khong-phai-thit-3740.html
- https://vtv.vn/kinh-te/thit-thuc-vat-huong-di-moi-trong-che-bien-nong-san-20221229104325938.htm
- https://vnanet.vn/vi/anh/anh-thoi-su-trong-nuoc-1014/hau-giang-san-pham-khoi-nghiep-nang-cao-gia-tri-cay-mit-6575199.html
- https://www.thvl.vn/chuyen-de-thvl/phong-su-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-dbscl/
- https://www.thvl.vn/chuyen-de-thvl/nhip-song-dong-bang-nguoi-mien-tay-sang-tao/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIPRHrQEuVc
- https://haugiangtivi.vn/tin-tuc/hon-thit-da-mit
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BRgvGEtMRQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpzlYyy-g_A
- https://vovgiaothong.vn/newsaudio/thuong-hieu-le-mit–ket-qua-di-tim-cai-khon-tu-gian-kho-d29866.html
- https://vovgiaothong.vn/news/thit-thuc-vat-tu-mit-nang-tam-gia-tri-cho-nong-san-viet-d29714.amp
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60DnWywWoe8&t=6s
Newspaper
- https://congthuong.vn/cuoc-thi-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-bun-ngu-sac-thit-thuc-vat-tu-mit-co-the-thuong-mai-hoa-223486.html
- https://hvnclc.vn/hanh-trinh-chung-ket-du-an-khoi-nghiep-nong-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-lan-8-nam-2022/
- https://tintucmientay.baoangiang.com.vn/hau-giang-lan-gio-moi-cho-nong-san-nga-bay-a348790.html
- https://nld.com.vn/kinh-te/lan-gio-moi-cho-khoi-nghiep-nong-thon-20220925212117446.htm
- https://danviet.vn/hau-giang-khong-ngo-trai-mit-thai-co-the-lam-duoc-pate-mit-banh-phong-mit-20221020122629877.htm
- https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/chuan-hoa-tu-du-an-khoi-nghiep-d335670.html
- https://thuonghieusanpham.vn/co-gai-8x-bien-mit-thanh-pate-mit-banh-phong-gay-sot-thi-truong-42063.html
- https://www.phunuonline.com.vn/nhung-ban-tre-mang-giac-mo-nong-san-viet-a1482140.html
- https://www.baohaugiang.com.vn/kinh-te/thit-lam-tu-mit-co-the-khong-!-115499.html
- https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/plant-based-meat-from-jackfruit-is-the-future-consumtion-trend-d335264.html
- https://thegioihoinhap.vn/magazine/bao-xuan/thit-goc-thuc-vat/
Taste the Future: Jackfruit Meat Alternatives for Health & Sustainability
ROUND 1: Social Challenges
- Taste and Texture: Some consumers may find plant-based meat alternatives unappealing due to their taste or texture. Lemit Foods invests in product development to improve flavor, taste and texture to make their plant-based meat alternatives a convenient, versatile and appealing option, with a range of fresh sauces and condiments to cater to different tastes.
- Health and Wellness: Consumers interested in plant-based diets are often motivated by health concerns. Jackfruit meat products are a healthier alternative to traditional meat products, making them a flexible option for consumers trying to reduce their meat consumption without completely eliminating it from their diet.
- Food Production and Consumption: Unfair pricing and sourcing practices can lead to market chaos, where local farmers may not have the bargaining power to negotiate fair prices for their products. Lemit Foods uses an inclusive business model by working with farming cooperatives and supporting small-scale farmers, providing stable incomes and employment opportunities for local communities.
- Environmental Sustainability: Environmentally conscious consumers may look for alternatives to meat that have a lower carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions and are less resource-intensive to produce for a sustainable food production. By reusing young jackfruit for producing meat and seeds for cocoa-powder alternative, Lemit Foods is reducing food waste and promoting sustainability and circularity in the food system.
Social Solution
- Our social solution design is focused on addressing a range of social issues related to the food system, including unappetizing and homogeneous vegetarian food options, health and wellness concerns associated with meat consumption, lack of awareness and education about plant-based diets, unfair pricing and sourcing practices, and environmental impacts associated with meat production.
- Our diverse range of plant-based meat alternatives are not only healthy but also visually appealing and tasty. By prioritizing taste and health, Lemit Foods seeks to challenge the common perception that vegetarian or vegan foods are unappetizing and lack variety. This approach is distinct from many other plant-based food companies that focus solely on health or sustainability without emphasizing taste.
Lemit Foods’ Long-term Approach:
- Jackfruit as a primary ingredient allows us to offer a novel and flavorful to both vegans and meat-eaters alike
- Tasty & texture like real meat (thru customer survey for our MVP tests on jackfruit pate and other products)
- Differentiated diverse product portfolio with unique taste & flavor combinations & sustainable ingredients
- Invest in R&D and work with farmers/cooperatives to create innovative & sustainable solutions
- Fair prices & sustainable practices and using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients
Video Presentation
Evidences for SBC Competition
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1t0aOyx8Ic9E9G0Bef5PKqY8qeG5HiXQR?usp=share_link
Introduction
Lemit Foods is a startup based in Hau Giang province that produces plant-based meat alternatives made from jackfruit. Their product line includes a range of healthy snacks, pickled and fermented vegetables, ready-to-cook foods, ready-to-eat foods and drinks, with their pioneer product being jackfruit pate. Lemit Foods’ products are made from locally sourced jackfruit, which has a fibrous texture, neutral flavor, and is readily available in Vietnam. The startup aims to promote sustainable and ethical plant-based diets in Vietnam, reduce the environmental impact of meat consumption, and support local farmers.
Lemit Foods has a multi-faceted social solution design with several intended impacts. The company aims to promote a healthy and sustainable plant-based diet by offering flavorful and textured alternatives to meat products. This can reduce health concerns related to excessive meat consumption. To achieve this, Lemit Foods plans to expand its diverse portfolio of plant-based products while showcasing Vietnamese cuisine arts and culture. It is committed to making its products affordable, accessible, and appealing to a wide range of consumers. In addition, Lemit Foods supports local farmers and communities by creating a new jackfruit meat industry, which contributes to the economic development of the region and promotes healthier and more sustainable food choices. Lastly, Lemit Foods focuses on sustainable sourcing and production methods, using young jackfruit for meat and cocoa powder alternatives, and adopting a circular model to minimize waste and support local farmers and communities while reducing its environmental impact.
Vision
Our vision for Lemit Foods is to contribute in building a world where everyone can have access to delicious plant-based foods, healthy and sustainable, and, and where local farmers and communities can thrive. We aim to create a more equitable and just food system that benefits both people and the planet.
Mission
Our mission at Lemit Foods is to innovate the Vietnam’s agrifood industry by offering plant-based meat alternatives and promoting sustainable farming practices, while supporting local communities.”
We aim to creating innovative, delicious and healthy food options to consumers who seek to reduce their meat consumption, and in doing so, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the preservation of our planet’s natural resources. We work with local farmers to source our ingredients, promote fair trade practices, and support the local economy. Our principal methods to achieve social impact include product innovation, education and awareness campaigns, and community engagement.
Our mission statement, “Tasty, Healthy, and Sustainable: Experience the Goodness of Jackfruit Meat Alternatives,” guides our business activities and attracts stakeholders who share our values and vision. By focusing on taste, health, and sustainability, we aim to appeal to a wide range of flexitarian consumers, including both vegans and meat-eaters. Our mission aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Lemit’s Solution Newness
- 1st pioneer for jackfruit’s diverse meat alrenatives in Vietnam
- Focused Vietnamese cuisine & culture
- 1st marker for jackfruit pate & cocoa-power alternative in Vietnam/region
- Commitment to continuing R&/innovation to improve solutions advantage against rivals
- Integrate with new tourism model “Jackfruit tourism” in partnership with local community and tourism experts
(*) Hau Giang ranks the 1st biggest areas of jackfruit plants in Vietnam, 7.000 hectares
Lemit Foods’ focus on Vietnamese cuisine and culture is also a unique aspect of our solution. By incorporating traditional Vietnamese flavors and dishes, we are offering a product that is distinct from existing plant-based products on the market.
Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
Lemit Foods has an all-encompassing approach to gaining support from its most important stakeholders, which includes potential payers, beneficiaries, universities, innovation organizations, suppliers, farmers, partners, regulators, government, media, social impact organizations, NGOs, investors, and influencers. The company’s strategy is to leverage various stakeholders and channels to promote its vision of sustainable and healthy plant-based food choices.
Improvement Strategy
Throughout the competition, we have gained valuable insights into the social issues related to meat consumption and the benefits of plant-based diets. Initially, we were surprised by the complexity and depth of the underlying causes, and we realized that a more holistic and integrated approach is needed to address them effectively.
Moving forward, we will continue to improve our social solutions by incorporating feedback from stakeholders, continuously monitoring and evaluating our impact, and refining our approaches based on new insights and data. We will focus on R&D activities to ensure taste and texture like meat, diverse products, implementing effective marketing and outreach strategies to increase awareness and demand for our product, and engaging with stakeholders and beneficiaries to ensure that our solutions are relevant and effective. We will also consider the sustainability and scalability of our solutions, as well as their long-term impact on the community. We will continue to iterate and refine our solutions based on feedback and data to ensure that we are continuously improving and maximizing our social impact. Finally, we will refine our supply chain and production processes and innovate our business model to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
References
- Food for Thought: The Untapped Climate Opportunity in Alternative Proteins | BCG
- Plant-based diets can reduce our impact on the planet | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
- The Rise of Plant-Based Foods in Southeast Asia — Jovel Chan
- Plant-based diets can reduce our impact on the planet | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
- How to target flexitarian consumers with plant-based products (proveg.com)
- Consumer insights & research reports | Alternative proteins | GFI
Lemitfoods’ Youtube Channel
Television/Radio
- https://vtv.vn/kinh-te/thit-thuc-vat-huong-di-moi-trong-che-bien-nong-san-20221229104325938.htm
- https://vtv.vn/lien-hoan-truyen-hinh/phong-su-ngan/thit-nhung–khong-phai-thit-3740.html
- https://vtv.vn/kinh-te/thit-thuc-vat-huong-di-moi-trong-che-bien-nong-san-20221229104325938.htm
- https://vnanet.vn/vi/anh/anh-thoi-su-trong-nuoc-1014/hau-giang-san-pham-khoi-nghiep-nang-cao-gia-tri-cay-mit-6575199.html
- https://www.thvl.vn/chuyen-de-thvl/phong-su-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-dbscl/
- https://www.thvl.vn/chuyen-de-thvl/nhip-song-dong-bang-nguoi-mien-tay-sang-tao/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIPRHrQEuVc
- https://haugiangtivi.vn/tin-tuc/hon-thit-da-mit
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BRgvGEtMRQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpzlYyy-g_A
- https://vovgiaothong.vn/newsaudio/thuong-hieu-le-mit–ket-qua-di-tim-cai-khon-tu-gian-kho-d29866.html
- https://vovgiaothong.vn/news/thit-thuc-vat-tu-mit-nang-tam-gia-tri-cho-nong-san-viet-d29714.amp
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60DnWywWoe8&t=6s
Newspaper
- https://congthuong.vn/cuoc-thi-khoi-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-bun-ngu-sac-thit-thuc-vat-tu-mit-co-the-thuong-mai-hoa-223486.html
- https://hvnclc.vn/hanh-trinh-chung-ket-du-an-khoi-nghiep-nong-nghiep-doi-moi-sang-tao-lan-8-nam-2022/
- https://tintucmientay.baoangiang.com.vn/hau-giang-lan-gio-moi-cho-nong-san-nga-bay-a348790.html
- https://nld.com.vn/kinh-te/lan-gio-moi-cho-khoi-nghiep-nong-thon-20220925212117446.htm
- https://danviet.vn/hau-giang-khong-ngo-trai-mit-thai-co-the-lam-duoc-pate-mit-banh-phong-mit-20221020122629877.htm
- https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/chuan-hoa-tu-du-an-khoi-nghiep-d335670.html
- https://thuonghieusanpham.vn/co-gai-8x-bien-mit-thanh-pate-mit-banh-phong-gay-sot-thi-truong-42063.html
- https://www.phunuonline.com.vn/nhung-ban-tre-mang-giac-mo-nong-san-viet-a1482140.html
- https://www.baohaugiang.com.vn/kinh-te/thit-lam-tu-mit-co-the-khong-!-115499.html
- https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/plant-based-meat-from-jackfruit-is-the-future-consumtion-trend-d335264.html
- https://thegioihoinhap.vn/magazine/bao-xuan/thit-goc-thuc-vat/