Why read this: This article is about plant-based burgers — burgers made without meat. Students will know these from their supermarkets and restaurants. The article is interesting because it tells a simple, clear story: something was popular, then people stopped buying it, and now companies are trying new ideas. The topic is also good for vocabulary building. Students meet everyday words like 'burger', 'meat', 'price', 'healthy' and 'factory', and a few new food-industry words like 'plant-based', 'protein' and 'fibre'.
What to notice: Look for the three problems the writer names: the price is too high, the taste is not always good, and the food is made in a factory. Each problem has its own short paragraph, so students can see the structure easily. Then look for the three new ideas at the end: more protein and fibre, half-meat half-plant burgers, and meat grown in a lab. Numbers appear in simple forms: $7.43, $9.04, 10%, $4 billion. Students can read the numbers out loud in pairs.
Skills practised: Reading: understanding a short news article with clear structure; finding key facts and numbers; answering simple questions about the text. Writing: making short sentences to describe a problem; using 'because' to give a reason; listing ideas with 'first', 'second' and 'third'. Speaking: talking about food you like or do not like; comparing prices; explaining why something is popular or not popular.
Fewer People Are Buying Plant-Based Burgers
Plant-based burgers were popular. Now, not many people buy them. Companies are trying new ideas.
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
A few years ago, burgers were very popular. In 2019, a company called Beyond Meat began selling its shares on the stock market, and was worth almost $4 billion. Many other companies started making burgers without meat.
But now, not many people buy plant-based meat. Beyond Meat is now worth less than $400 million. Less than 10% of American adults eat plant-based meat every week. Real meat is selling well. So what is the problem?
The first problem is money. A pound of real costs $7.43 at Walmart. But a pound of plant-based meat costs $9.04. For a family, that is a lot of extra money every week.
The second problem is taste. Some plant-based meat still does not taste good. One British company says that a bad burger can stop a person from trying plant-based meat again.
The third problem is that some people call plant-based meat an food. This means the food is made in a factory with many different things in it. Some people think this is not healthy. They think plant-based burgers are like potato chips or Oreo cookies.
Companies are trying new ideas. They put more and more in their food, because many people want this. Some companies make burgers that are half meat and half plants. This is good for parents who want their children to eat more vegetables.
Some companies are also trying something new called . This is real meat, but it is grown in a lab from animal cells. No animals are killed. In some parts of the United States, this is not allowed. But in Britain, it is allowed as food for pets like dogs and cats. Cultivated meat is still very expensive.
One businessman says that plant-based meat has a problem: people think it is "fake". Cultivated meat is real meat, so it may not have the same problem. Companies now have ten years to show that cultivated meat can be cheap and popular.
A few years ago, burgers were very popular. In 2019, a company called Beyond Meat began selling its shares on the stock market, and was worth almost $4 billion. Many other companies started making burgers without meat.
But now, not many people buy plant-based meat. Beyond Meat is now worth less than $400 million. Less than 10% of American adults eat plant-based meat every week. Real meat is selling well. So what is the problem?
The first problem is money. A pound of real costs $7.43 at Walmart. But a pound of plant-based meat costs $9.04. For a family, that is a lot of extra money every week.
The second problem is taste. Some plant-based meat still does not taste good. One British company says that a bad burger can stop a person from trying plant-based meat again.
The third problem is that some people call plant-based meat an food. This means the food is made in a factory with many different things in it. Some people think this is not healthy. They think plant-based burgers are like potato chips or Oreo cookies.
Companies are trying new ideas. They put more and more in their food, because many people want this. Some companies make burgers that are half meat and half plants. This is good for parents who want their children to eat more vegetables.
Some companies are also trying something new called . This is real meat, but it is grown in a lab from animal cells. No animals are killed. In some parts of the United States, this is not allowed. But in Britain, it is allowed as food for pets like dogs and cats. Cultivated meat is still very expensive.
One businessman says that plant-based meat has a problem: people think it is "fake". Cultivated meat is real meat, so it may not have the same problem. Companies now have ten years to show that cultivated meat can be cheap and popular.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
How much is Beyond Meat worth now, according to the article?
- 02
Why do some people think plant-based burgers are not healthy?
- 03
What is 'cultivated meat'?
- 04
Describe three problems for plant-based meat companies. Use information from the article.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Name two new ideas that plant-based meat companies are trying.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
How much is Beyond Meat worth now, according to the article?
- 02
Why do some people think plant-based burgers are not healthy?
- 03
What is 'cultivated meat'?
- 04
Describe three problems for plant-based meat companies. Use information from the article.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Name two new ideas that plant-based meat companies are trying.
Suggested length: ~50 words