# Vegetarian Stir-Fry Bites Waitrose's Mushroom and Miso Stir Fry Bites are New and Plant-Based By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-01-09 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stir-fry-bites References: [livekindly.co](https://www.livekindly.co/waitrose-vegan-good-health/) & [waitrose](https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-mushroom-miso-stir-fry-bites/877371-645344-645345) In the fall of 2017, UK supermarket chain [Waitrose](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waitrose-plantliving-range) announced that it would be increasing its store space for vegan and vegetarian products by 35%—and in the new year, it is already offering a range of new [plant-based foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tofoo-co-products), including the 'Mushroom and Miso Stir Fry Bites.' These flavorful food bites are packed with mushrooms, soya and black turtle beans, offering a unique alternative to meatballs. To prepare the product from a chilled state, consumers are instructed to warm the bites in a wok or frying pan for a few minutes before serving. Although the product is boldly labeled "vegetarian," on the front of the packaging, Waitrose has also noted that the Mushroom and Miso Stir Fry Bites are also suited to vegan consumers. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 59% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Increasing Demand for Plant-based Foods:** The growing desire for plant-based food options presents opportunities to develop new and innovative vegetarian and vegan products. - **Expansion of Vegetarian and Vegan Product Lines:** Supermarkets and food retailers can capitalize on the rising popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets by expanding their product offerings in this category. - **Innovation in Meat Alternatives:** Developing tasty and nutritious meat substitute products, such as mushroom and miso stir fry bites, can disrupt the traditional meat market and cater to changing consumer preferences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Supermarket and Grocery Stores:** Supermarkets have the opportunity to meet the increasing demand for plant-based foods by dedicating more store space to vegetarian and vegan products. - **Food Manufacturing:** Food manufacturers can invest in research and development to create innovative vegetarian and vegan food products that cater to a wide range of consumer preferences. - **Meat and Poultry Industry:** The meat and poultry industry can explore opportunities to develop and market meat alternatives that appeal to both vegetarians and flexitarians. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Herbaceous Plant-Powered Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garlic-and-herb-bites.md) - [Plant-Rich Retailer Ready Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waitrose-plantliving-range.md) - [Private Label Flexitarian Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waitrose-plantliving.md) - [Plant-Based Sous-Vide Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sous-vide-bite.md) - [Snacking-Friendly Plant-Based Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gosh-veg-bites.md) - [Crispy Mycelium Nuggets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meati-foods-crispy-bites.md) - [Snackable Steak-Style Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantedsteak-bites.md) - [Plant-Based Street Food Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gosh-street-food-bites.md) - [Savory Mochi Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mochi-ball.md)