Offering up a different Lent meal

When Lent begins, it usually means the increased consumption of fish sticks for Christian observers as the eating of meat on Fridays during the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter is prohibited. Now food stores are offering alternatives to fish sticks.

Lent began on Feb. 26 and ends on April 10, Easter Sunday. Christians observe Lent to replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

Plant-based meat is used as a stand-in for real beef or pork in burgers, meatballs, tacos and meatloaf. While typically higher in sodium, plant-based meat is similar to real meat in terms of calories and has more fiber and less cholesterol. Most plant-based meats have different ingredients, but they are usually made from extracted plant protein or whey protein.  

Forbes reported that United States retail sales of plant-based foods that directly replace animal products have grown 31 percent over a two-year period and reached roughly $4.5 billion in revenue as of July 2019. Forbes also expects the global alternative meat market to reach roughly $140 billion in sales over the next decade. 

Stop & Stop’s meat and seafood director, Al Apuzzo, said he notices an increase in sales for plant-based products during Lent. “We offer 18 different plant-based items in our stores that we try to promote every week” he said. “This includes products such as burgers, steaks and sausages.”  

Apuzzo added that the Stop & Shop stores try their best to make customers aware of the products, especially during Lent. “We try to highlight these products in our store during Lent season,” he said. “We’ll put the items on sale such as a buy one get one free deal. We also include them in coupon books that we send out to customers.”  

While the Catholic Church has not stated a position on plant-based meats, the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote the Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence which states that every person 14 years or older “must abstain from meat (and items made with meat) on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.”

Residents have mixed thoughts on the plant-based products. Hewlett resident and St. Joseph’s R.C. Church parishioner, Gina Cilento, described her Lent diet. “I usually eat pizza, pasta with eggplant, egg salad and veggie omelet’s,” Cilento said. “I don’t eat plant- based meats but I have made veggie tacos minus the beef.” 

In regards to the taste,  Bea Anne said there is no significant difference. “I once used plant-based beef when I was making chili,” Anne said. “No one noticed any taste difference.” 

Hewlett resident Elizabeth Joseph-Lau said that she thinks plant-based meat is not a good alternative to Lent. “I’ve tried the products and I am not a fan,” Lau said. “I don’t want to fake Lent, I’d rather enjoy either seafood or a really great meat-free pasta.”