The Vegan Night Market opens at Central Park’s Wollman Rink today (Tuesday, June 6), and will run weekly throughout the summer. Wollman is also home to 14 new pickleball courts, so you can play a competitive game of pickleball and grab a vegan snack afterward.

MHG Events, the group behind the event, is the organizer of similar night markets, including one Uptown, one in Brooklyn, and one in the Bronx.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Vegan Night market to Central Park in NYC. Our goal is to create a space where people can explore and enjoy plant-based cuisine from some of the city’s top vendors while promoting sustainable and ethical food choices,” said Marco Shalma, founder of MHG Events.

“Thanks to the City Parks Foundation for supporting this event, and we hope it will encourage more people to incorporate plant-based options into their diets and support the growth of the vegan movement.”

What you’ll find at the Vegan Night Market in Central Park

The organizers have curated top vegan eats and drinks from more than 25 businesses to allow shoppers to sample different cuisines all in one place. Vegan Night Market visitors can expect to find booths from The GingerShot Man, Mao’s Bao, Secret Vegan Kitchen, Pinche Vegana NYC, Lillie Handmade Aromatherapy Products, Healthy As A Motha, The Waffle Chic, Nadas Colombian Rainbow Empanadas, Cuzins Duzin, and Sip & Savor BX, among others.

Vegan date night done right – and on the cheap

The Vegan Night Market is completely free for visitors. Items start at $5 and nothing costs more than $15. This affordable option provides market-goers with access to dozens of plant-based dishes from some of their favorite cuisines – such as Caribbean, Colombian, Chinese, and Mexican – as well as the chance to try new treats from restaurants they never knew about.

Along with the regular vendors, special guest chefs and artists will appear each Tuesday to host product tastings and live music performances.

“We’re excited to be part of a market like this because we get to share our Colombian style empanadas with people who have been looking for the best flavor available,” Carlos Santos, founder of Nadas, told amNewYork. “Our desire has always been to make vegan options that aren’t good solely on being vegan, but their flavor profile is better than other empanadas, period.”

In a city as diverse as it is exciting, the Vegan Night Market will not disappoint; 70 percent of the vendors are owned or founded by people of color, and 50 percent are women-owned businesses, Beatriz Torres Martinez of MHG Events said to amNewYork.

Vegan events around the world

Interest in vegan living is on the rise in the United States. Back in February, for example, veganism overtook keto as the most searched diet term in America. It’s a trend that is growing worldwide as the impact of animal agriculture on the planet becomes more widely known, and people increasingly choose plant-based food for the sake of their health.

New York City’s Vegan Night Market joins a growing number of plant-based festivities happening worldwide.

Last July, Vegan Camp Out once again hosted what’s thought to be the world’s largest vegan camping festival. It sold more than 10,000 tickets and invited more than 60 food vendors. The festival is slated to take place this year from July 28 to 31 (for more information about Vegan Camp Out 2023, see here). 

Also in July, the plant-powered Ital Food Fest will kick off in Jamaica for the first time. It aims to celebrate Ital cuisine as well as the Rastafari community’s key role in the plant-based movement.

Other vegan events include film festivals such as the International Vegan Film Festival which presented 44 films from eight different countries late last year.

New York City’s new Vegan Night Market opens today in Wollman Rink on 830 5th Ave, New York City. It will run every Tuesday evening from 4pm to 10pm until October 10, 2023.

For more information, check out the MHG website, or follow Vegan Night Market on Instagram.

The post New York City’s First-Ever Vegan Night Market Just Arrived In Central Park appeared first on Plant Based News.

The event, dubbed “A Pairing With Legs,” was hosted at The Vaults in Leith, Edinburgh, in April. It was part of SMWS’ 40th anniversary celebrations. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) paired the insects with different varieties of Scotch whiskeys. Mealworms, crickets, locusts, and even a scorpion were all served to three “adventurous” customers.

The event

The first pairing was mealworms with a 12-year-old whiskey named Disco Diva. The attendees were then given locusts with Raspberry Fields Forever, an 11-year-old single malt. Smoked crickets were served with Smokus Fruticosus, a blended malt of whiskeys from Islay and Orkney islands. Towards the end of the tasting, attendees could sample a scorpion with a whiskey of their choice. 

“Whisky and insects? Precisely. This type of tasting personifies what the Society is all about,” Helen Stewart, head of brand marketing and membership, said in a statement. “Our 40th anniversary year is going to be our most adventurous yet.” 

The rise of edible insects

This event is just one of a number to capitalize on the growing interest in insect consumption in Europe. While most of the public remains skeptical, insects are increasingly being heralded as a more sustainable alternative to conventional meat.

It’s undoubtedly true that insects are currently a more environmentally sound choice than products like beef, dairy, chicken, fish, pigs, and lamb. That isn’t to say, however, that there aren’t moral implications of eating them.

It’s thought that at least a trillion insects are killed each year for human consumption. They may be starved, or subjected to extreme hot or cold temperatures while being slaughtered. While many people don’t consider insects sentient, there is growing evidence to suggest that they are indeed capable of feeling emotions.

According to a 2022 Queen Mary University of London study, “at least some” insects can feel pain. Study authors also highlighted that more research was needed to determine if other insects have similar capabilities.

The post Whiskey Tasting Night Serves Scorpion, Crickets, And Other Insects appeared first on Plant Based News.

This unique food festival – said to be the first of its kind – is the brainchild of British-Jamaican Michael and Felicia Cunningham. They created the event to celebrate the island’s rich culinary heritage, and promote the vibrant world of plant-based cuisine and wellness.

With a mission to showcase the wonders of Jamaican cuisine and its cultural significance, Ital Food Fest is a ground-breaking event that transcends borders. The festival brings together a diverse range of international talents, drawing inspiration from various corners of the world and attracting a global audience eager to explore the beauty of plant-based dining.

“We are thrilled to bring the Ital Food Fest to Jamaica,” says festival founder Cunningham. “This event represents a culmination of my passion for Jamaican cuisine and a desire to share our rich culinary heritage with the world. It’s an opportunity to showcase Jamaica’s commitment to sustainability, health, and wellness through the power of plant-based foods.”

“Rastafarians have been living this lifestyle,” Cunningham says. “Before vegan, before plant-based, there was I-tal.”

What’s on at Ital Food Fest 2023

The festival promises an immersive experience that combines tantalizing flavours, captivating performances, and a celebration of the island’s natural beauty. 

From renowned chefs presenting their culinary masterpieces, to performances from top international Reggae artists on the main stage, to wellness experts guiding attendees through holistic practices, Ital Food Fest offers something for everyone.

Dr. Aris LaTham, founder of Sunfired Gourmet Foods and a leading figure in the raw food movement, is headlining the food demonstration stage at the festival. Dr. LaTham has been an advocate for plant-based diets for over 50 years and has dedicated his life to promoting the benefits of raw and organic plant foods for optimal health and wellness.

His expertise in the culinary arts and his passion for natural foods make him the perfect fit to showcase his delicious and innovative plant-based dishes on the food demonstration stage. We look forward to experiencing the unique flavours and creativity that Dr. LaTham will bring to the festival.

This year’s festival is set to attract both local and international visitors, establishing itself as a must-attend event on the global food festival calendar. With attendees interested in eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and gastronomy, Ital Food Fest serves as a platform to promote Jamaica as a premier destination for those seeking an authentic and sustainable culinary experience.

The inaugural Ital food festival will take place at the stunning Plantation Cove, Jamaica’s premier entertainment venue in Saint Ann, on July 15. With an expected attendance of over 20,000 patrons, the festival promises to captivate visitors with its diverse line-up of performers, engaging workshops, and immersive culinary experiences.

To learn more about Ital Food Fest 2023 or to purchase tickets, visit the website here.

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What started many years ago as just one furniture design expo “Salone del Mobile” in the outskirts, now sprawls over the entire city with multiple satellite shows. It is here that smaller, relatively unknown design studios can be found rubbing shoulders with industry giants like Google, IKEA, and BMW design.

It’s often said, but the more relevant and exciting design shows are more likely to be found in these Milanese cobbled backstreets. Which is exactly why the big brands are choosing old apartment blocks and warehouses to exhibit their designs rather than the more sterile and corporate exhibition halls of Salone del Mobile.

There’s a certain charm to the fact that on these streets money doesn’t necessarily buy you attention (although many try). Casa Blond by James Melia’s Design Studio, for example, was one of the must-see shows picked up by Hypebeast, Designboom, and many others. I spoke to Blond lead designer Greg, and his joy and enthusiasm for creativity was really infectious. They welcomed attendees to sketch design ideas inspired by objects that they would model in CAD and 3D print on the spot. This democratic lack of pretentiousness and focus on design itself rather than the designers was like a welcome breath of fresh air. And, what made their small space a hit.

At the end of our conversation I was urged by Greg to go and see ALCOVA. “It’s like the set of The Last of Us! But with design exhibits dotted around!” he enthused.

ALCOVA repurposes slaughterhouse

Sure enough, this was a popular event, with a queue tailing around the block. I met up with two other industrial designers who are also vegan from Germany. We had heard that this space was an ex slaughterhouse so we were all obviously prepared to feel some sort of emotions.

When I got inside and saw the rusty hooks and blood drains on the floors, to my surprise it wasn’t so much sadness, but optimism that hit me.

I discussed this feeling with a lighting designer who was exhibiting. She had her exquisitely crafted lamps hanging on walls that were once presumably ringing with the screams of pigs and splattered with blood. After enthusiastically explaining the various color options for the lighting system, she whispered to me under her breath: “Do you know what this place was?”

Obviously affected by her surroundings, she told me she doesn’t eat meat either and so we discussed how the space made us feel. Since the ceilings had been broken, shards of sunlight cast down inside giving life to indoor trees and uninvited plants that sprung up from cracks in the stained concrete.

Hope and healing

I felt this phenomenon was almost like a beautiful metaphor, a place that has witnessed so much darkness, violence, and death now becoming a place for light, life, and creativity. Call me a dreamer but I can’t help but feel like I’ve glimpsed the future, where all slaughterhouses will be converted into galleries and museums.

The conversation around the commodification of other animals in design is long overdue. In society we too often focus only on the food industry when it comes to our concern for other animals, but it’s worth noting countless individuals were slaughtered for their skins, feathers, wool, and other body parts for sofas, cars, bicycles, bags, and rugs. It’s a chilling thought that our CMF spec sheets can act as a death sentence for others.

Can animal products ever be ‘ethical’?

I also attended a sustainability event hosted by Design Council at the architecture firm Arup (sadly serving animal products despite the obvious contradiction for a climate-focused event).

To its credit, Design Council now focuses its efforts entirely on design as an enabler for sustainability goals. Here I discussed with one of the speakers, Chelsea Franklin, a senior concept designer from Pangaia, the use of animal materials, green-washing, and the commodification of non-human animals.

It’s worth noting that although doing lots of great innovation in the animal-free materials space, Pangaia isn’t completely animal-free (yet). Chelsea assured me they focus on “regenerative” and “ethically sourced” when using animal products.

Personally, I have to disagree with its stance here. Aside from the obvious animal rights issue of commodifying the bodies of non-human animals, we simply have too many sheep and cows being bred and slaughtered. In a statistic included in a recent speech by Sir David Attenborough, 60 percent of all mammals on Earth are now livestock, only four percent are the remaining wild mammals.

‘Half-truths’

There are rightly major climate concerns here and make no mistake, these are breed-to-slaughter industries. I am not familiar with Pangaia’s specific supply chain, but these so called “ethical wool” suppliers will often sell off retired sheep to be slaughtered by another farm, claiming they don’t slaughter themselves but clearly turning a blind eye to what they know happens under someone else’s watch.

Their climate credentials are also often distorted into half-truths through offsetting emissions and biodiversity losses by pointing to their huge land ownership, with no acknowledgment of the blatant opportunity cost. We know that land would take in even more carbon and have even more biodiversity if it were to be rewilded instead of being used for livestock. Regenerative is only better than conventional animal agriculture, it’s not an improvement over rewilding. So the activity of livestock farming still has a negative impact on the land.

A study from Oxford University estimates that in a vegan world we would be able to rewild 75 percent of current farmland, so the fears of not having enough space to grow crops for us to eat are unfounded. In fact, we would need less cropland than today not more when we just focus on feeding eight billion humans and not the additional 80 billion bred livestock.

Finding solutions to messy problems

I am aware it is all too easy to point out hypocrisy and contradictions as a progress blocker. Chelsea rightly pointed out that many companies are so scared to make progress steps these days because everyone is so eager to find examples of the do-gooders “own-goal” or some unforeseen contradiction. I hope that’s not what I’m doing here. I myself am by no means perfect and have been complicit in designing products that contribute to waste and included animal products. In terms of climate impact, the irony of myself and other designers all flying to Milan to talk about sustainability isn’t entirely lost on me.

I think as designers we have the innate ability to foresee what does not yet exist, to solve messy problems and envision what others can’t imagine until we show it to them. If Milan Design Week is good for something, surely it’s for that. We have the tools, mindset, and audacity to envision a kinder future that others would scoff at as impossible. It’s high time the unspoken violence that goes on in slaughterhouses is excluded and eliminated by design.

The post Milan Design Week Eyes The Future With Slaughterhouses Repurposed Into Galleries appeared first on Plant Based News.

The summit, which takes place in New York City from May 18-20, will showcase wagyu beef from Ohayo Valley on the second day. The company was founded in 2020 by Dr Jess Krieger, one of the earliest pioneers of cell-based – also known as cultivated – meat.

A number of other women-led alternative protein companies will also showcase their products, with mycelium chicken breast and next-generation plant-based oysters, eggs, and sashimi also being on offer.

“We are thrilled to debut our future of food showcase at the Vegan Women Summit – with a full roster of women-led products,” said Jennifer Stojkovic, founder and CEO of VWS. “Our goal with this showcase was to bring together the most innovative and exciting brands pioneering sustainable and ethical solutions to the food industry…

“Our attendees will have the opportunity to taste some of the latest and most exciting cell-cultured and plant-based animal alternatives from women founders – some for the first time in history!”

The rise of cultured meat

Cell-based meat is created with animal cells in industrial bioreactors, meaning it isn’t a product of animal slaughter. It isn’t considered to be vegan, however, as it is real animal tissue. The production process also requires cells to be taken from an animal, though this can supposedly be done with a painless process. 

At present, cell-based meat is only available to buy in Singapore, and it hasn’t yet received full FDA approval in the US.

This could change very soon, however. Two cell-based meat companies – UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat – have received “No Questions” letters from the US. This means that their products have been ruled as safe to eat, and they just need to obtain a grant of inspection from the US Department of Agriculture to start trading.

The Vegan Women Summit

Anyone hoping to find out more about the cell-based and plant-based meat industries can purchase a ticket to the Vegan Women Summit here.

The event is open to all genders, and it will feature a number of expert speakers and panelists within the plant-based movement.

“We are thrilled to bring the Vegan Women Summit back, bigger and better than ever!,” Stojkovic previously said in a statement. “More than half of our attendees are actually not vegan, which I think is a huge win. In fact, our mission at VWS is to showcase not only the lifestyle opportunities, but the incredible business case for the vegan food, fashion, and beauty industries.”

The post ‘Making History’: Vegan Women Summit To Serve Cell-Based Beef appeared first on Plant Based News.

The sustainability-driven black-tie event, happening on June 23, will cater to hundreds of students with a selection of artisanal dishes. Each will be developed to align with the ball’s Orient Express theme, representing the cuisines of Istanbul, Paris, and Venice.

Catering services will be provided by local companies. In addition, vegan wine will be supplied by English makers to further reduce the event’s environmental impact.

“This year’s ball is going to be Darwin’s greenest yet, and a plant-based menu is paramount to the successful realization of this aim. We consider this to be an opportunity to showcase the diversity and ingenuity of vegan cuisine,” a spokesperson told the Times.

“Darwin College is one of Cambridge’s most sustainable colleges so it’s fitting that we should be the hosts of Cambridge’s first vegan May ball in the nearly 200-year history of the event.”

Criticism of the all-vegan ball menu

Darwin’s May ball committee claim to be determined to prove that unforgettable events don’t have to cost the environment. However, it admits the meat-free stance has drawn criticism. Particularly, it says, from attendees who only learned about the menu change after buying a ticket.

“This is the kind of misplaced moralism Cambridge seems to thrive on — largely symbolic but practically inert. A bone-headed move if ever I saw one,” one PhD candidate reportedly wrote on social media. 

Despite the (somewhat limited) backlash, the committee stands by its removal of animal products. Furthermore, it hopes that other Cambridge colleges will follow suit in future years.

Students demand more vegan food

Darwin’s animal-free menu announcement comes a few weeks after the Cambridge Students Union voted in favor of transitioning away from meat. However, Cambridge is not the only university to be embracing plant-based eating.

Last year, students from 20 UK campuses came together to demand meat-free catering at their higher education sites. The collective, supported by activist group Animal Rising (formerly Animal Rebellion), cited the environmental impact of meat and dairy as their main motivation.

The post Cambridge University College To Host A 100% Plant-Based Ball appeared first on Plant Based News.

As summer nears closer in the UK, so too does one of the world’s most popular vegan events: Vegan Camp Out 2023. The annual celebration of all things vegan will take place in Oxfordshire, England, in July. Alongside various activities and musical performances, the festival promises a wealth of plant-based food options, from more than 50 vendors.

Vegan Camp Out 2023 will take place from Friday, July 28 to Monday, July 31. We’ve got the low-down on which food companies will be there, what they offer, and, of course, how to get your hands on some Vegan Camp Out tickets if you haven’t already. But be quick, more than half of the tickets for this year’s event are already gone.

UK’s best vegan food brands in one place

Thousands of people — including long-time vegans, those just starting out, and the veg-curious — are expected to attend this year’s event (last year’s attracted more than 12,000 attendees). So a comprehensive selection of vegan food dishes and cuisines was essential for festival organizers.

Vegan Camp Out director Jordan Martin told Plant Based News: “It’s always great to announce our food line-up to the world after months of curating a diverse and delicious array of tasty food options. We have over 50 of the UK’s best vegan street food and restaurants coming to VCO this year.”

This, he says, includes “many of the obvious veterans, but also a lot of new names that we welcome to the festival for the first time, and can’t wait to see everyone tuck into!”

So without further ado, here are the plant-based food options you can expect at Vegan Camp Out in 2023. Take the below categories with a pinch of salt – many of these vendors will be plating up a lot more than we can give justice to here, and most are yet to reveal their final menu. But in the interest of keeping it short and sweet, here are the companies and the cuisines they are best known for…

Vegan Camp Out 2023: food vendor list

Caribbean

• Eat Of Eden: best known for its popular Eden Platters, this brand dishes up everything from mac ‘n’ cheese to lentil stew to “wheat meat”
• Mamas Ktchn: organic Afro-Caribbean food including jackfruit curry, plantains, and homemade slaw
• Mel Tropical Kitchen: salad boxes, wraps, cakes, and raw vegan food

Chicken-free chicken

• [SHICKEN]: this vegan ready meal brand sells products like chicken korma, Tikka Masala, and Tikka kebabs at Tesco – but now you can find their food at Camp Out too!
• Chickenish: burgers, wings, and chicken bites – all the “chicken shop classics”
• HUNS: loaded fries and next-level chicken (and bacon) burgers
• No Frickin Chicken: Southern fried and popcorn chicken, but it also makes vegan fish and lamb

Chinese

• Rockin Buddha: vegan Chinese street food at its finest, including noodles, curry, and tofu
• Vegan Planet: this eatery makes vegan prawn crackers, prawn toast, dumplings, and more

Ethiopian, Thai, and Vietnamese

• Banh Vi: Vietnamese-inspired eats, where oyster mushrooms often take centerplate
• Red Tent Ethiopia: authentic vegan Ethiopian served with rice or injera
• VeganThai: tofu chow mein and vegetable gyozas are just some of the options on offer

Hot dogs

• Vausages: artisan vegan sausages. Be sure to check out the team’s “secret blue sauce” in person
• The Vegan Street Diner: classic American-style hot dogs, but vegan, obviously.

Pizza, burgers, and ‘junk food’ we love

• BA-HA: wings, burgers, cookies, and more
• Purezza: one of the most popular vegan pizza brands out there, and for good reason
• Dutch Weed Burger: seaweed-enriched burgers, containing B vitamins and vitamin D
• Herbivorous: think chips and gravy. Think double-bacon burgers with melting cheese…
• The Hogless Roast: moreish burgers and wraps featuring the brand’s popular meatless pork
• Miami Burger: usually a restaurant, but you’ll be able to enjoy its diner-style burgers and sides at Camp Out
• Veg Heads: burgers, tacos, waffles, and more
• VGN Boulevard: this eatery has confirmed its menu for this year’s Camp Out event, and will be serving Beyond Meat smash burgers, Omni Fillay Ohh Phish, and 3D-printed steak and chips of an evening.
• Wholesome Junkies: featured on Netflix and BBC Two’s My Million Pound Menu, Wholesome Junkies’ menu is diverse, and includes Teriyaki Surf ‘n’ Turf burgers and Korean cheese corndogs

Sandwiches, wraps, and health foods

• The Garden Restaurant: health foods and cold-pressed juices, as well as sweet treats
• Holy Carrot: salads, sandwiches, and more – all free from additives, refined sugar, and mostly gluten-free
• The Hedgerow Hound: with an ever-changing menu, this family-run team have served up everything from pastries to salad bowls to “hangover soups”
• Jam ‘N’ Vegan: a ready meal brand offering a wide range of cuisines, including Jamaican, Indo-Chinese, and Caribbean
• Plant The Seed: vegan fried eggs are a rare find in the plant-based sector, so if you’ve been craving one, Plant The Seed has you covered with its egg and sausage, bacon, and/or cheese sandwiches
• Yom: vegan soul food, bowls, curries, and more
• Zest Kitchen: sandwiches, wraps, and nachos, to name a few

Street food

• Antojitos: Mexican street food, including nachos and tacos
• Bamboo Street Food: Greek and Lebanese kebabs and sides like orange chicken cauliflower wings
• Desert Island Dumplings: delicious, delicious dumplings. Enough said.
• Dhil’s Eats: for the (vegan) meat-lovers among us, this brand is known for its Seekh kebabs, wings, and more

‘Seafood’

• Happy Maki: sushi burritos, bento, and bowls
• The No Catch Co: fish and chips, calamari, popcorn prawns, and more
• Vegan House Foods: nestled under this category for its fish and chips, but it also sells burgers, bowls, and other eats

Döner kebabs

• What The Pitta: creating award-winning vegan kebabs since 2016. Plus, its menu shows the carbon footprint of each dish
• Döner Summer: kebabs, of course, but also fried chicken, fries, and tots

For the sweet tooths

• The After School Cookie Club: London’s first vegan cookie bakery
• Conscious Candy Co: hundreds of varieties of gelatin-free vegan sweets
• DÁPPA: nut-based soft serve with all the best vegan sauces and toppings
• Doughnotts: established in 2015, these plant-based donuts are the stuff of dreams
• Fluff Pancakes: you can’t go wrong with vegan pancakes. Like, ever
• Lick: for ice cream waffle cones, Lick has you sorted with all the classic flavors
• Love Is Churros: as above, are vegan churros ever a bad idea?
• Pola Ice Poles: head here for sorbet and gelato sticks made from real fruit
• Project D: donuts that put Dunkin’ to shame, with (almost) as many varieties as you can imagine
• Vegan Antics: cakes, cupcakes, and other bakery goods

Drinks

• Cannon Coffee: the clue’s in the name, but other beverages will be available too
• The Fruitory: cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and more
• Osu Coconuts: this vendor offers plenty of hearty meals, but given that you can buy actual coconuts to drink from, it’s secured a spot in the beverages category

What can you do at Vegan Camp Out 2023?

We wouldn’t blame you if you attended Camp Out just for the food. But as an added bonus, there are plenty of activities and stalls planned for the weekend, too.

Yoga and activism workshops will be held, along with live music, afterparties, and talks from some of the vegan movement’s leading voices.

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan is headlining this year’s event, and appearances will be made by activists Tash Peterson and Seb Alex, athlete Patrik Baboumian, Eurovision’s Sam Ryder, and former model and filmmaker Jodie Marsh, among many others.

There are also child-orientated activities on offer, including a bouncy castle and face painting, along with a family-friendly camping field that isn’t accessible to people attending without kids.

But you don’t have to camp if it’s not your thing. Attendees can bring a caravan or camper van, stay in a nearby hotel or other accommodation, or take things up a notch with the festival’s Glamping experience (head here for more information). Those who plan on going for the traditional camping route, can hire a pre-pitched tent right here.

The best Camp Out yet

This year, Vegan Camp Out 2023 has partnered with animal rights organization Viva!. The group’s founder, writer and activist Juliet Gellatley, commented:

“Viva! is delighted to be partnering again with Vegan Camp Out. With an excellent new venue, top vegan entertainment and activism events – not to mention delicious food, 2023 promises to be the best vegan festival ever!”

To learn more about the festival and to purchase tickets, head to the Vegan Camp Out website. To read about payment plans for tickets, head here. You can also follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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The post Here Are All The Food Vendors Coming To Vegan Camp Out In 2023 appeared first on Plant Based News.

The three-day conventions will, once again, act as a showcase for the plant-based sector. Vegan food and drink products will be front and center, while lifestyle items will also be on sale. Interactive exhibits are scheduled too, with live cooking demonstrations, talks from wellness experts, and more confirmed.

The first installment, taking place from May 26 to May 28, will be held in Cape Town, at the International Convention Center. The second will see the show headed to the Kyalami International Convention Center in Gauteng, Johannesburg, from August 4 to August 6. Both will also take place online.

Building on a virtual debut

The inaugural show, dubbed the Festive Vegan & Plant Powered Show, was a virtual event held during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

Following the success of the first exhibit, a physical version of the Plant Powered Show was launched in Cape Town last year. This year’s events look set to be bigger than ever, with around 15,000 attendees expected and more than 200 exhibitors displaying their wares.

“Consumers want to live more consciously and be more mindful of the animals we share the planet with. At the same time, chefs and foodies want to be inspired to create delicious meals with exciting new ingredients. It’s a food revolution that we are proud to be part of,” Heidi Warricker, the event’s producer, said. 

“We are delighted to be bringing this world-class event to Gauteng for the first time as well.”

Both the Cape Town and Johannesburg events will feature an array of “masterclasses” delivered by chefs and drink mixologists. Notable names confirmed include chefs Zola Nene and Mokgadi Itsweng. The interactive events are predicted to be extremely popular with consumers looking to get to grips with plant-based ingredients. 

Cooking demonstrations will be held in the Checkers Plant Kitchen. The functioning kitchen is a designated space built to showcase the event’s main sponsor, Checkers Supermarket. The grocer is considered, by the show’s organizers, to be one of the most inclusive in South Africa. This is thanks to its growing roster of meat-free foods available on its shelves.

South Africa’s fractious relationship with vegan products

While the Plant Powered Show hints at widespread acceptance of meat-free products in South Africa, legislation is still being pushed to stifle the domestic plant-based meat sector.

Having secured a last-minute reprieve last year, plant-based manufacturers are now looking at the very real possibility of their products being seized from supermarket shelves in May 2023. 

This would be as a result of a crack-down by South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development. This, on foods they deem to be imitating meat and using terms that should be exclusive to the meat sector. Frequently cited terms include “burger,” “sausage,” and “steak.”

Tickets for the Plant Powered Show are available via Quicket (Cape Town and Johannesburg). Up to two children aged 14 and under can attend for free with one paying adult.

The post South Africa’s ‘Plant Powered Show’ Is Set to Return In 2023 appeared first on Plant Based News.

Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) first launched the initiative in 1985. The grassroots education campaign aims to remove animal products from participants’ plates.

Mayor Adams recently issued a MeatOut Day proclamation for the second year in a row. All roughly 8.8 million NYC residents are encouraged to go without animal products for the day. 

It’s hoped that those taking part will develop an appreciation of plant-based eating and its benefits. Primarily, FARM keenly promotes improvements to human health, the environment, and animal welfare.

US cities take up the MeatOut challenge

New York is not the only US city to adopt MeatOut day. Since its conception, Dallas (Texas), Cincinnati (Ohio), Louisville (Kentucky), Riverside (California), and more have all embraced the meat-free holiday.

Last year’s NYC MeatOut Day paved the way for five days of plant-based celebration. Local restaurants showcased their best meatless dishes and the city played host to a number of educational exhibitions. A similar format is anticipated for this year’s event.

Eric Adams’ meatless mission

“As someone who was born in Queens, I am proud of this proclamation,” Eric C Lindstrom, executive director of FARM, said in a statement about NYC participating again.

“The advances Mayor Adams has made toward a plant-based future, and Vegan Fridays in New York City schools, align perfectly with our mission and the mission of MeatOut. Let’s take animals off our plates.”

Adams has been prolific in his promotion of plant-based eating, and claims following the diet reversed his type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

During his time as mayor, Adams implemented Vegan Fridays in more than 1,700 state schools. More recently, he helped initiate state hospitals serving vegan catering options as the default choice.

The post NYC Mayor Eric Adams Encourages Residents To Ditch Meat For A Day appeared first on Plant Based News.

The three-day event, which is open to all genders, is led by founder and bestselling author of The Future of Food Is Female, Jennifer Stojkovic. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is a strong advocate of plant-based diets, has released a video message to welcome the event.

“The Vegan Women Summit will bring together leaders and professionals to talk about how we deliver better food choices for our people, improve public health, and lower carbon emissions,” he said.

“I know the power of healthier eating. A plant-based diet saved my life. And as mayor, I’m working across our city to transform our food systems and bring healthier food to our communities.”

VWS is set to feature a number of influential women from the vegan and plant-based sectors. Previously, Alicia Silverstone, Tabitha Brown, Emily Deschanel, Pinky Cole, Maggie Baird, and Suzy Amis Cameron have been in attendance. 

This year’s summit will be will be co-hosted by Stojkovic and Conference Chair Miyoko Schinner. A full list of speakers and panelists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Vegan Women’s Summit 2023: location, speakers, and tickets

This year’s summit will take place at 99 Scott, an events space in Brooklyn. 

After the huge success of last year, VWS will welcome even more speakers, panelists, and events. 

Attendees will be able to watch 100 speakers from sectors including food, fashion, beauty, and more. 

There will also be networking opportunities, designed to connect attendees with job opportunities, investment opportunities, and mentorship.

This year’s event will feature both indoor and outdoor event spaces. There will be a festival-style courtyard, marketplace, networking alley, food trucks, and a premium activation space for brands.

“We are thrilled to bring the Vegan Women Summit back, bigger and better than ever!,” Stojkovic said in a statement. “More than half of our attendees are actually not vegan, which I think is a huge win. In fact, our mission at VWS is to showcase not only the lifestyle opportunities, but the incredible business case for the vegan food, fashion, and beauty industries.”

Tickets can be purchased here. For more information, visit www.veganwomensummit.com. 

The post Vegan Women Summit 2023: Everything You Need To know appeared first on Plant Based News.

The campaign, which launched in 2014, sees people from across the world sign up to go vegan for one month. North Korea (where the internet is banned) and Vatican City are said to be the only places on Earth with no sign-ups this year.

Veganuary has been praised for opening up more people to plant-based eating, and many are thought to stay vegan after the month has ended. 

“The impact our food choices have on the planet is getting harder to ignore, and it’s very inspiring to see so many people around the world starting the new year by taking action,” Veganuary’s Head of Communications Toni Vernelli said in a statement. “Attitudes towards veganism are changing, and Veganuary’s just-give-it-a-go-for-a-month-and-see-what-you-think approach has undoubtedly played an instrumental role in this shift, offering a non-judgmental way for businesses and individuals alike to explore a transition towards plant-based.” 

In an Instagram announcing the record-breaking year, Veganuary also pointed out that these were likely the “tip of the iceberg,” as many people do the challenge without signing up. 

In a YouGov poll conducted last month, four percent of UK respondents said that they were doing Veganuary.

Why do people do Veganuary?

People opt to take part in Veganuary for a number of reasons. The campaign previously said that the majority of people cite animal welfare as a motivating factor. Others sign up over environmental or health concerns. 

While most people in the world eat meat, there is nevertheless a growing understanding of the ethical costs of our food. 

The majority of farmed animals are kept in factory farms, where they are subjected to unnatural conditions, mutilations, and confined spaces. 

Animal agriculture is also a key contributor to the climate crisis. It’s responsible for at least 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and is a driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss. 

The post Veganuary Breaks All Records With Biggest Year Yet appeared first on Plant Based News.

Currently, the Southeast Asian country is the only place in the world that sells cell-based – also known as cultivated – meat. Eat Just, the company that creates the product, attended the United Nations climate conference. It is currently taking place in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt. 

Its cell-based meat division, GOOD Meat, served a range of chicken dishes. Sampling occurred at invite-only demonstrations held from November 12 to 14. Members of the press, government ministers and other notable figures were asked to taste the food.

The tastings come after regular menus at the summit were revealed to have leant heavily on meat and dairy ingredients. Beef and imported salmon featured prominently. Despite anger and disappointment that last year’s event included climate-damaging foods on the menus served to delegates, the pattern has repeated this year. This has resulted in criticism that the summit is not taking the food system’s impact seriously.

GOOD Meat chose to showcase its newest chicken development at the climate event. Ahead of service, Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Eat Just said: “We hope our guests at COP27 find their cultivated chicken meals both delicious and thought-provoking and they leave the summit with a new appreciation for the role food innovation can play in combating the global climate crisis. 

Future-friendly food

Climate experts are increasingly recommending plant-based diets. However, cell-based meat is also proposed as a solution to animal agriculture’s devastating impact on the environment.

Having the potential to reduce the emissions generated by conventional meat production by up to 92 percent, cell-based alternatives are eyed optimistically by those who are climate aware. 

The crux of the sustainability claims that underpin brands such as GOOD Meat is a reduction in methane emissions and deforestation. This will be a natural benefit of taking animal rearing and slaughter out of the food system. All this, while still offering consumers the animal protein that they enjoy.

However, despite the supporting science, cell-based meat’s global adoption has seen slow progress. Singapore, the pioneer of cultured regulatory approvals, has still only given the green light to two products. Both are chicken developments from GOOD Meat. It is due to give permission for another variation shortly after the COP27 summit comes to an end.

Outside of Singapore, things are moving at a seemingly slower pace. The US and EU have been particularly slow to grant approvals. However, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently ruled that chicken made by Californian start-up UPSIDE Foods is safe to eat.

“Singapore was the first country to allow the sale of meat made without tearing down a single forest or displacing an animal’s habitat, and we look forward to other countries following in their footsteps,” Tetrick said in a statement.

Could cell-based replace conventional meat at the next summit?

COP28 will be held in Dubai. This gives rise to optimism that if meat has to be served (despite repeated calls from activists for the event to be 100 percent plant-based), perhaps it could be cultured instead of slaughtered.

Though no approvals are in place yet, it was revealed earlier this year that Israeli food tech Aleph Farms is in discussions to produce cultivated beef and lamb steaks for the UAE. Talks occurred following investment from the Abu Dhabi sovereign fund ADQ.

Additionally, Nutrition Insight recently reported that the Dubai Future Foundation discussed the potential of cultivated meat to solve food security and sustainability issues. It did so at a two-day self-titled forum. 

Dubai is showing signs of being open to cultured meat developments. However, it is unknown if it will seek to serve them when hosting the world’s largest climate summit.

The post Cell-Based Meat Served At UN Climate Conference For First Time Ever appeared first on Plant Based News.

Next July, people from across the globe will gather together for the world’s largest vegan camping festival.

Vegan Camp Out, which began in 2016, will be held at a brand-new location in Oxfordshire, England, next year. 

As well as a huge number of food stalls selling a delicious – and 100 percent plant-based – range of food, the event will see live musical performances and talks from prominent figures in the vegan community.

Speaking to Plant Based News (PBN), a Vegan Camp Out spokesperson said the festival plays a “huge role” in the plant-based community. They added that people from across the UK “come together to meet old friends, make new ones, eat amazing food, have a dance, and watch amazing talks,” while also taking part in vegan activism and outreach. 

The 2022 festival was headlined by animal rights advocate Earthling Ed, who did a techno DJ set alongside his talk on veganism. 

Here’s everything you need to know about next year’s festival. 

Vegan Camp Out 2023 date, headliner, and line-up

Vegan Camp Out 2023 will take place from Friday 28 July –  Monday 31 July, 2023.

Next year’s festival will be headlined by Romesh Ranganathan. 

According to festival organizers, Ranganathan is the second most requested headliner ever (after Joaquin Phoenix). 

The actor and comedian – who is known for appearing on a number of British panel shows like A League Of Their Own and Would I Lie To You? – has been vegan since 2013. 

He has also been a vocal figure in the plant-based community. During an interview on the Jonathan Ross Show in 2015, he mentioned that he often gets asked questions about his diet, including: “What do you have… water?”. To this, he replies that he has “compassion.”

In 2019, Ranganathan starred in a BBC Two video titled: The real reason people hate vegans. The two-minute clip saw him state: “I genuinely feel the reason people hate vegans is because they know it’s the right choice. But they like bacon too much and so they don’t want to do it.”

Ranganathan won’t be alone at Vegan Camp Out 2023. Other acts on the bill include media personality Jodie Marsh, animal activist Joey Carbstrong, plant-based food pros BOSH!, food blogger Little London Vegan, Eurovision’s Sam Ryder, strongman Patrik Baboumian, and activist Tash Peterson.

Animal rights organization Viva! Is once again partnering with the festival, and its founder and director Juliet Gellatley is among the confirmed names on the line-up. 

“Viva! is delighted to be partnering again with Vegan Camp Out. With an excellent new venue, top vegan entertainment and activism events – not to mention delicious food, 2023 promises to be the best vegan festival ever!” Gellatley said in a statement.

The full music, mind and body, and education line-up will be announced in 2023.  

Vegan Camp Out 2023 location

Next year’s festival will be held at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire. The location is a preserved former WW2 RAF, home to more than 50 specialist businesses that celebrate motion and the future of historic vehicle ownership. 

It was previously going to be held in Stanford Hall, Leicestershire, the same as last year’s festival, but it was moved due to licensing issues. If you have already booked a hotel in Leicestershire and cannot get a refund, you should contact the festival directly. 

Where can I stay at Vegan Camp Out 2023?

Many attendees opt to camp for the full festival experience, and there is plenty of space to set up a tent within the festival grounds. 

Camping equipment is not provided or sold on site, so you will need to bring your own. If you want to avoid noise, there is a designated Quiet Camping field. You don’t need a specific ticket for this area, but it’s first come first serve. 

If you don’t like the idea of camping, you can bring a caravan or camper van. You can also stay in a nearby hotel or other accommodation if you wish. 

Glamping will also be available at next year’s festival. Click here for more information. 

How much are tickets?

A general weekend pass (including camping) is currently £85 (plus £5 booking fee). You can also buy a VIP ticket as an add-on to your weekend ticket, which will cost £100. 

VIP tickets grant the holder early access to the campsite, access to a private VIP area with a bar, food vendor, and seating, as well as separate toilets and showers. You will also receive a Vegan Camp Out 2023 t-shirt.  

Click here to buy tickets

There is also an option to pay for tickets with an installment plan.

Can I bring my children?

Of course! While Vegan Camp Out isn’t specifically aimed at families, people of all ages are welcome. There’s even a special family-friendly camping field that isn’t accessible to those without kids. 

The festival will also feature a bouncy castle, face painting, and other child-friendly activities. 

What food stalls will be there?

Vegan Camp Out hasn’t yet announced what food stalls will be there, but it has confirmed there will be a wide range to choose from. Ticket-holders will be able to choose from burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, pies, raw dishes, and more. 

Last year’s vendors included Purezza, Unity Diner, Halo Burger, and VFC, as well as around 55 others. 

What else can I do at Vegan Camp Out?

As well as the talks, music, and delicious food, attendees will also be able to choose from a range of activities. These include yoga, fitness sessions, afterparties, and more. 

Visit the Vegan Camp Out website for more information.

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The event, which is hosted by plant-based food brand Wicked Kitchen, takes place in Ottawa, Canada, on Saturday, November 5. It will be followed by virtual screenings from November 7-24. 

The virtual screenings will show 44 films from eight different countries. Attendees can purchase an entire festival pass, which will grant them access to 12 feature and 32 short vegan-themed films. They can also buy tickets for individual film blocks, which are around 90 minutes each. 

Film categories include Best Overall Film, Animal Advocacy, Lifestyle, Environmental Protection, Health and Nutrition, and Public Service Announcement.

What films will be shown at the International Vegan Film Festival?

Among the films shown during the event is Where Does KFC Chicken Come From?.

This film was created by vegan fried chicken brand VFC. It was made in response to a KFC promotional video hosted by YouTuber Niko Omilana named Behind the Bucket. It saw Omilana visit one of KFC’s chicken farms, and showed chickens with fresh straw and an apparently reasonable amount of space. 

VFC visited the same KFC farm to uncover its true conditions. They found the ground was “sodden with animal feces” and had very little straw on it. They also reported dead chickens on the floor, a number of sick and injured animals, as well as inaccessible, plastic-wrapped bales and perches.

Another film shown will be Eating Our Way To Extinction. This environmental documentary explores the huge impact animal agriculture has on our food system. It’s narrated by Kate Winslet, and was recently endorsed by Paul McCartney. 

How can I attend the in-person International Vegan Film Festival?

The in-person IVFF will be held at the Chamber Theatre at Ben Franklin Place, Ottawa. 

It will screen two feature films. The first is SLAY, which looks at the ethical and environmental costs of exploiting animals for fashion. The second is Eating Our Way To Extinction. It will also show 13 short films in the evening. 

You can purchase tickets for the in-person or virtual screenings here. 

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Gourmet plant-based catering company Lasagne for Breakfast is behind the five-day event, called the Boutique Culinary Retreat. It will feature a range of activities including Italian plant-based cooking classes, daily yoga and meditation, local wine and cheese tasting, foraging tours, and eco-workshops. 

Guests will leave the retreat with new cooking skills that they can continue to practice at home. Confirmed cooking classes and demos include making focaccia bread, shaping fresh pasta, and stuffing ravioli. A zero-waste kitchen talk will also be given.

The venue, which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney, can sleep up to 15 people at one time. The boutique accommodation was chosen to keep activity groups small and focused.

Lasagne for Breakfast has previously launched vegan pop-up restaurants centered around plant-based versions of traditional Italian dishes. However, the Hunter Valley retreat is the first of its kind for the company, though it is hoped to be a jumping-off point for more, both outside and within Australia. 

And there could be more interest than ever, as vegan acceptance is growing in Australia. 

Earlier this year, it was reported that 55 percent of people want to see more vegan options on restaurant menus. Simialrly, 52.7 percent want to see even more choice in supermarkets.

Vegan events are diversifying

Globally, vegan-focused events are springing up and catering to a variety of needs. 

Next month, Ottawa, Canada will play host to the International Vegan Film Festival. Sponsored by plant-based food giant Wicked Kitchen, the event will offer filmmakers an opportunity to showcase a slew of new projects to a worldwide virtual audience.

For founders or future founders of plant-based companies, the Vegan Business Tribe conference will take place in London next month. Hosted as part of the VegFest UK expo, the conference will offer advice and networking opportunities to all attendees.

The Boutique Culinary Retreat will run for five days and four nights from March 8, 2023. You can stay up to date by registering interest on the event’s Facebook Page.

The post A New Fully Vegan Cooking Retreat Is Launching In Australia appeared first on Plant Based News.

Protestors stand silently while they hold posters of abused animals, and on some occasions, they hold real dead animals. 

This year’s event took place in 43 countries, including Canada, the US, Australia, Mexico, Chile, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Iran, and Israel.

Our Planet. Theirs Too. posted a new video on social media of the events, with a thank you to everyone who has taken part.

“Thank you, beautiful and amazing souls from every corner of the globe, for joining forces on June 5,” it notes.

“With your heart, passion, and creativity, we WILL change the world, and bring forth the day when all animals are free,” it continues. “Absolutely free.”

Commemorating abused animals

Every year, billions of animals are exploited by humans. To name a few examples, they are experimented on for scientific research, killed for their skins, and slaughtered for food.

In the US, research suggests that 99 percent of farmed animals live in factory farm conditions.

But industrialized farming is prevalent around the globe. In the UK, a recent investigation noted that the country is home to more than 1,000 mega-farms, where thousands of animals are kept in intensive, industrialized conditions to maximize profit and turnover. Just one mega-farm can host more than 125,000 broiler birds.

Our Planet. Theirs Too. believes all animals that have been exploited by humans deserve a chance to be remembered, and its NARD serves as a memorial service for them. But it’s also about education. Most people don’t know what the conditions that produce their food are really like. 

In fact, in 2017, one survey found that 75 percent of American adults believe that their animal products come from places that treat animals “humanely.”

You can find out more about next year’s NARD, and other work from Our Planet. Theirs Too., here. 

This article was updated on October 24 to clarify that NARD is a day to honor all animals, not just victims of factory farming.

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