The Vegetarian Butcher
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The Vegetarian Butcher is a Dutch food manufacturer that produces meat substitute products and plant-based meat alternatives.{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/is-this-the-end-of-meat-7765871.html | title=Is this the end of meat? | work=The Independent }} The company, headquartered in Utrecht, was founded in 2010 by Niko Koffeman and Jaap Korteweg. It also operates a concept store and restaurant in The Hague.{{Cite web |date=2018-08-30 |title=Restaurant {{!}} De Vegetarische Slager |url=https://www.devegetarischeslager.nl/restaurant |access-date=2025-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830073847/https://www.devegetarischeslager.nl/restaurant |archive-date=30 August 2018 }}{{Cite web |date=2024-06-12 |title=The meat workers who became vegan entrepreneurs |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240612-the-meat-workers-who-became-vegan-pioneers |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}
History
After graduating the Secondary Agricultural School in Goes, Jaap Korteweg (a ninth-generation farmer) started working at his parents’ farm. He transitioned from conventional mixed farming (arable and livestock) to exclusively organic arable farming. When the swine fever outbreak occurred in 1997, he became a vegetarian and contacted scientists, including Wageningen professor Atze Jan van der Goot, and chefs to develop meat substitutes. On October 4, 2010 (World Animal Day), The Vegetarian Butcher was founded in The Hague. In 2015, the company got a bond loan supported by Natuur & Milieu raised €2.5 million to build a factory in Breda, which became operational at the end of 2017.{{Cite news |title=Nominatie Wageningse hoogleraar als Groene Techpionier |url=https://www.wur.nl/nl/nieuws/Nominatie-Wageningse-hoogleraar-als-Groene-Techpionier.htm |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231005135111/https://www.wur.nl/nl/nieuws/nominatie-wageningse-hoogleraar-als-groene-techpionier.htm |archive-date=2023-10-05 |access-date=2025-05-21 |work=WUR |language=nl-nl}}{{Cite web |date=2017-10-07 |title=Vegetarische Fabriek - Inschrijving gesloten {{!}} Natuur & Milieu |work=Natuur & Milieu |url=https://www.natuurenmilieu.nl/doe-mee-2/vegafabriek/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007220552/https://www.natuurenmilieu.nl/doe-mee-2/vegafabriek/ |archive-date=7 October 2017 }}{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.devegetarischeslager.nl/serverspecific/dvs/images/Onsverhaal/AlleswatjealtijdalwildewetenoverDeVegetarischeSlager-Informatievoorjespreekbeurt.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180830073755/https://www.devegetarischeslager.nl/serverspecific/dvs/images/Onsverhaal/AlleswatjealtijdalwildewetenoverDeVegetarischeSlager-Informatievoorjespreekbeurt.pdf |archive-date=2018-08-30 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.devegetarischeslager.nl}}
At the end of 2018, The Vegetarian Butcher was acquired by Unilever.{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Zoe |date=2018-12-19 |title=Unilever buys meat-free food company The Vegetarian Butcher |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/dec/19/unilever-joins-meat-free-revolution-after-buying-the-vegetarian-butcher |access-date=2025-05-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In 2019, the Plant-Based Whopper was introduced by Burger King outlets in China with a patty made by The Vegetarian Butcher.{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Sally |date=2021-01-14 |title=Burger King Launches Plant-Based Whoppers Across Asia With v2food & The Vegetarian Butcher |url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/burger-king-launches-plant-based-whoppers-across-asia-with-v2food-the-vegetarian-butcher/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Green Queen |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Steven |date=2022-12-27 |title=Burger King is bringing back the Bacon King - and this time there's a vegan one |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/burger-king-bringing-back-bacon-25843764 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Wales Online |language=en}} In March 2025, JBS S.A. bought The Vegetarian Butcher via its subsidiary Vivera.{{Cite web |last=Devlin2025-03-20T14:14:00+00:00 |first=Ed |title=Unilever to sell The Vegetarian Butcher brand to Vivera |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/unilever-to-sell-the-vegetarian-butcher-brand-to-vivera/702439.article |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=The Grocer |language=en}}