NXPO, in collaboration with Future Table, Global Compact Network Thailand, Humane World for Animals, and partner organizations, organized Plant-Rich Leaders: Awards & Showcase 2026 as part of Bangkok Climate Action Week 2026. Held at Alliance Française Bangkok on 5 October 2026, the event recognized leading organizations contributing to the transformation of Thailand’s food system and brought together government agencies, private-sector organizations, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, universities, professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and international organizations to promote healthy and sustainable food choices that are accessible to consumers.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Siriporn Pittayasophon, Vice President of NXPO, said that food connects health, the economy, and the environment. Transforming the food system therefore cannot be driven by producers alone but requires participation from the service and consumer sectors. Organizations can begin with what they purchase, sell, and serve every day—from selecting local ingredients and reducing food waste to increasing the variety and appeal of grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and plant-based proteins on their menus, giving consumers more choices.
NXPO and its partners have established the Plant 30% Leaders Club to encourage businesses and organizations to make tangible changes to the proportion of plant-based food in their menus, product offerings, procurement, and catering. The initiative aims to promote public health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance Thailand’s sustainable food system. It has received strong interest from restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and retailers. Participating organizations can choose an approach that best suits their business model, whether by adding plant-based menu items and products, increasing the proportion of plant-based ingredients or proteins, or adjusting procurement and catering policies. The goal is to achieve at least 30% change within one year, with progress monitored through actual changes in menus, products, and procurement.
“Plant-rich does not mean requiring everyone to become vegetarian or completely stop consuming meat. It means increasing the proportion, variety, quality, and appeal of plant-based foods so that consumers can access and choose them more easily. The 30% target is therefore not a ceiling, but a clear first step that can be implemented and tracked. The Plant 30% Leaders Club serves as a platform where member organizations can make commitments, exchange approaches, learn from real-world cases, communicate their achievements, and build partnerships or business connections. This will turn the 30% target into changes that consumers can see and experience,” Dr. Siriporn said.
Dr. Siriporn added that businesses and organizations play an important role in shaping what consumers see and choose. If the first group of leaders demonstrates that plant-rich options are feasible in terms of taste, price, and business operations, this will help reduce risks and create incentives for other organizations to follow. At the same time, demand for plant-rich menus sends signals throughout the value chain—from farmers and producers of food ingredients and components to processed-food businesses, chefs, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and businesses in the tourism and wellness sectors.
This movement therefore represents both a health agenda and an economic opportunity for Thailand. It can help create markets for high-protein ingredients and the country’s rich biodiversity, such as wolffia, legumes, and mushrooms, and develop them into high-value foods and food ingredients. It also supports Thailand’s goal of increasing the value of the future food industry to THB 500 billion by 2027.
The event featured the Plant-Rich Leaders Awards presentation, recognizing organizations that have committed to transforming their menus or product offerings toward plant-based options. It also featured an exhibition of future food innovations and plant-rich cooking demonstrations, providing practical examples of menu design that participating agencies, organizations, and businesses can adapt and apply in their own operations.
“Today, we have not come together not only to present awards, but also to build a group of leaders who will demonstrate that food that is good for health, good for business, and good for the planet can also be delicious, accessible, and part of everyday life. NXPO invites interested organizations to join the network and work together to make plant-rich choices easier for everyone,” Dr. Siriporn concluded.
For more information about the event, please visit https://futuretable.in.th/.
For more information about the Plant 30% Leaders Club, please visit https://plantrich.futuretable.in.th/.
