Meat-Free Eaters Less Likely To Catch Covid-19, Study Suggests

From plantbasednews.org 

The research indicates being vegan may lower Covid-19 risk

A recent study by the University of Sao Paulo has indicated that being vegan may lower risk of catching Covid-19.

According to the researchers, those on a meat-free diet were 39 percent less likely to contract the virus.

The research involved more than 700 participants with diverse dietary habits. It was carried out in summer 2022 and published last week in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health.

Cases of Covid-19 are rising again at the start of 2024. In the US and UK, an infectious new variant is spreading as immunity wanes.

Meat-eaters more likely to catch Covid-19

The study categorized participants into different diet groups. There were 424 omnivores, 191 vegetarians or vegans, and 87 flexitarians who consumed meat no more than three times a week.

Some 47 percent of all participants contracted Covid-19. However, this rate increased to 52 percent for meat-eaters and decreased to 40 percent for vegetarians and vegans.

Moreover, the results also showed that omnivores had a higher likelihood of experiencing severe infections.

Adjusting for factors like Body Mass Index (BMI), physical activity, and pre-existing medical conditions, the researchers found that individuals on a plant-based diet were 39 percent less likely to contract the virus.

Why might vegans be less prone to Covid-19?

The study authors hypothesize that this protective effect might be due to the immune-boosting compounds in a plant-based diet. For example, plant-based diets include more antioxidants and polyphenols. A recent study of twins, for example, revealed the stark difference that even eight weeks as a vegan can have on health outcomes.

Some voiced scepticism about the extent of the link highlighted in the new study, however. Dr. Duane Mellor, Senior Lecturer at Aston Medical School, voiced concerns about the study’s sample size. She said this could lead to erroneous associations.

A six-country study in 2020 drew similar conclusions from a larger sample size. In that study, researchers found that individuals following plant-based diets were 73 percent less likely to develop moderate-to-severe Covid-19 than the general population.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/meat-free-less-likely-catch-covid-19/

Vegans could escape 'no jab, no job' rules over concerns Covid jab is not safe for them

From lbc.co.uk/news

Vegans could escape potential "no jab, no job" rules over concerns that the vaccine is not safe for them, experts have suggested.

More than half a million vegans across the UK could be exempt because of their beliefs, as the vaccines currently go through animal testing.

Previously, ethical veganism has been ruled as a "protected characteristic", meaning employers could face legal action if they try to enforce the "no jab, no job" rule.

Other groups could also be excused on the same grounds, including religious groups and those with certain medical conditions.

A spokesman for law firm Lewis Silkin told The Telegraph: "Some ethical vegans may disagree with vaccinations on the basis that they will inevitably have been tested on animals.

"Ethical veganism has previously been found by an [employment tribunal] to amount to a belief, capable of being protected."

That said, the Vegan Society has urged people to take up the vaccine.

It comes as big tech companies in the US, including Google and Facebook, have told staff they need to be fully vaccinated to return to the office.

Netflix also confirmed that actors on set for US productions must have received both jabs, with their corporate offices not set to reopen until 'a majority of people' are vaccinated.

As for the UK, the only jobs that currently legally require employees to be fully vaccinated are those in care homes.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told LBC on Friday that it "will be for individual employers to decide".

Vaccine passports are also set to be introduced for some crowded places, making full vaccination a requirement to enter venues such as nightclubs.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/vegans-could-escape-no-jab-no-job-rules-over-concerns-jab-is-not-safe-for-them/

Vegan and pescatarian diets may reduce Covid-19 severity

From irishnews.com

VEGANS and pescatarians may be less likely to get severe Covid-19.

People whose diets are plant-based and those who eat fish but not meat appear to have lower odds of getting a severe infection compared with others.

Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets appeared to be linked to an increased chance of getting moderate to severe illness, though the findings were not statistically significant.

The new study, published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health, examined data from healthcare workers across six countries including the UK.

Patients completed a web-based survey about whether they had Covid and their diets.

More than 2,300 did not have the disease and 568 did. Among those who had Covid-19, 138 reported moderate to severe symptoms and 430 had mild or very mild illness.

A plant-based diet appears to reduce the risk of getting a severe Covid-19 infection compared to a diet with meat

Participants were asked to think about the diet they had in the year before Covid and were given had 11 choices: whole foods, plant-based diet; keto diet; vegetarian diet; Mediterranean diet; pescatarian diet; Palaeolithic diet; low fat diet; low carbohydrate diet; high protein diet; other; none of the above.

Among the 568 participants who reported they had previously had Covid-19, 41 said they followed a plant-based diet.

And 46 said they followed a plant-based or pescatarian diet.

The authors estimated that participants who reported they had a plant-based diet were 73 per cent less likely to report moderate to severe disease compared to those who did not follow one.

Pescatarians had 59 per cent lower odds than people who followed other diets.

Compared with participants following plant-based diets, those with low-carb, high-protein diets were more likely to have moderate to severe Covid-19.

The authors, led by a team in the US, wrote: "In six countries, plant-based diets or pescatarian diets were associated with lower odds of moderate-to-severe Covid-19.

"These dietary patterns may be considered for protection against severe Covid-19.

"Plant-based diets or pescatarian diets are healthy dietary patterns, which may be considered for protection against severe Covid-19."

Gunter Kuhnle, professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Reading, said there had been a lot of speculation about the impact of diet on Covid-19 risks.

"This study attempts to answer this question, but there are a number of limitations that need to be considered: The study relied entirely on self-reporting, and a lot of data have shown that self-reported dietary intake is unreliable."

A plant-based diet in Spain or Italy is likely to be different from a mainly plant-based diet in Germany or the UK, he added.

Professor Francois Balloux of the UCL Genetics Institute said: "The study reports that doctors eating plant-based or pescatarian diets tend to be at significantly lower risk of developing severe Covid-19 symptoms upon infection."

He said that further validation may be required "to confirm a direct, causal link between diet and Covid-19 illness severity".

"Indeed, unaccounted lifestyle variables correlated with diet might influence general health of the subjects of the study, and hence how well they coped with Covid-19 infection," he said.

According to the Eatwell guide, a vegan diet contains only plants such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits and foods made from plants.

Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/health/2021/06/17/news/vegan-and-pescatarian-diets-may-reduce-covid-19-severity-2350394/

‘Why I’ve had the Covid jab – and so should other vegans’

From telegraph.co.uk

By Rebecca Jones

I’m in a relatively unique position, being both a vegan and a GP. In fact, I might also be a rarity in that I’m a vegan who has confidently accepted the Covid vaccine.

In the UK all medications, by law, must be tested on animals. This isn’t a law I agree with, and I feel that technological advances mean that other methods for testing could, and should, replace the use of animals in medical and pharmaceutical research. However, we aren’t there yet, and the reality is that all of our medications and vaccines will have been tested on laboratory animals. As heartbreaking as that is to accept, I don’t feel that it means vegans should necessarily decline the Covid vaccine – or any vaccine for that matter. Does this make me less of a vegan?

The Vegan Society defines veganism as ‘a philosophy and way of living, which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose’. The words possible and practicable are important in my argument for why vegans should accept the vaccine. As individuals, we have no control over the laws that govern medication production. By accepting the vaccine, we are not going against society’s definition of the lifestyle we are following, as it is neither possible nor practicable for us to obtain vaccines that have not been tested on animals.

Rebecca Jones: ‘I feel that the compassion of veganism stretches not only to non-human animals but to other people too’

I have heard the argument that one should just decline the vaccine, therefore retaining a pristine vegan title. But this doesn’t sit well with me, in terms of my ideas of what a responsible, vegan member of society should look like. I feel that the compassion of veganism stretches not only to non-human animals but to other people too. There are some vulnerable people who, for whatever reason, will not be able to accept the vaccine. Therefore, it is my duty, as a member of society, and as a healthcare professional looking after these people, to ensure that I am preventing myself from passing on a potentially deadly infection to those around me. 

Vegan medics are not completely unheard of; I run a Facebook group called Vegan Doctors of the UK, and we currently have over 300 members. There, the general consensus regarding Western medicine, including vaccination, largely matches my own.

Even so, I understand that other vegans may choose to reject Western medicine and what it offers, I feel that keeping myself healthy and well only assists me in my fight for animal equality. I’ve been lucky in that I’ve rarely needed much medical care or medication in my life, but I feel equally lucky that I can access it, should I need to, and that I’ve had the privilege of receiving a full complement of vaccinations.

When the Covid jab was offered to me, I had no qualms about accepting it. I know I need to remain healthy for my family, my patients, and in order to keep up my own version of vegan activism – even if that is just cooking good vegan food for friends and family, or guiding other vegans through the mostly omnivorous world of medicine and health with my writing.

In an ideal world, medications wouldn’t be tested on animals, but unfortunately, the world we’re living in is imperfect and inhabited by a majority of omnivores. As vegans, we must ensure our own wellbeing, so that we can keep spreading the word, protecting other animals and advancing veganism. Even if that means accepting the Covid vaccination. And maybe one day, we’ll have enough of us fighting for cruelty-free medications, that a non-vegan vaccine, along with Covid, will be a distant memory.   

Dr Rebecca Jones is a GP and is also known as The Vegan Doctor

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/vegan-doctor-had-covid-jab-should-vegans/

The coronavirus vaccine goes against my vegan beliefs – but I’m still taking it

From metro.co.uk

By Cerys Turner

When my vegan mum told me she won’t be taking the coronavirus vaccine because it was tested on animals, I was understandably shocked.

Besides health fears and government conspiracies, I hadn’t realised that the fact it was trialled on animals would be enough to convince some not to have the jab. She argued that without enough of us standing up against animal exploitation, testing will sadly continue. It’s upsetting to hear my mum say that she won’t be taking the vaccine because coronavirus has already taken over 100,000 lives in the UK and I would never want my mum to become part of those figures by choosing not to have the shot.

As a vegan myself, I completely understand her point but I’ve decided that I will get immunised. Although I am statistically less at risk of becoming seriously ill from coronavirus, having the dose will help prevent me from endangering those who are. Plus, as a university student, my life has been completely turned upside down by national restrictions: the vaccine offers a way out.

When I first became a vegan, it wasn’t easy giving up milk chocolate and halloumi fries, however, the minor inconveniences of not having dairy and meat products were overcome by the benefits of adopting a plant-based lifestyle.

Not only does it decrease your risk of developing illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, but it is also the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact. When the first successful trials for a coronavirus jab were announced in November last year, I didn’t question whether the vaccine had been tested on animals. Sadly, I automatically knew that to be the case.

Despite the fact it went against my beliefs to not contribute to animal suffering, I was immediately confident in my decision to have the jab because it was the safest and most promising path back to normality.

Although there’s been extensive developments in recent years in vegan-friendly products and an additional 40% increase of Brits adopting plant-based diets in the past 12 months according to Finder UK, modern medicine is yet to catch up.

Animal testing is still one of the first points of call in biomedical research and in such a global crisis as the coronavirus pandemic, I knew the moral conundrum of animal testing was probably the last thing on scientists’ minds.

Even though I have a firm objection to animal experimentation, I have always been resolute in my decision to have the jab. I recognise that, to end the pandemic that has blighted our lives for the past year, a nationwide taking of the vaccine is vital.

However, this doesn’t mean it was a decision I made lightly. Animal testing has always been a controversial subject. The UK has strict laws that require potential new medicines to be tested on animals before they can be safely trialled on human volunteers. Regulations – such as those enforced by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 – are also in place to promote more humane testing on animals, including specific training for researchers and safeguarding protected animals.

But what does humane actually mean? In 2019, over 3.4million mice, dogs, monkeys, and other animals were experimented on, according to the latest Government figures. That number is likely to be even higher once statistics for the coronavirus vaccine trials have been published.

Specifically, the animal trials for the coronavirus vaccine use mice, monkeys and ferrets – with some of the testing involving keeping the animals in labs and injecting them with the virus to observe the course of the disease. These animals have been bred – and in the case of the mice, genetically engineered – for the purpose of scientific research, and can live their short lives in the confines of a laboratory cage – living in unfamiliar and stressful environments, transported between buildings, and sometimes living in unclean conditions. This is one of the main arguments against animal testing – treating animals as commodities to use and dispose of at our wish, rather than as sentient creatures who have a right to freedom.

So while I may be taking the vaccine, I can empathise with those vegans – like my mum – opting not to.

But in my opinion, while taking the vaccine is rightfully a choice, we must weigh up the potential consequences that not taking the jab may have. Not only will you be at an increased risk of catching and spreading the virus, but the impact that your illness would have on your loved ones is incomparable.

Although vegans believe in causing the least harm possible through their lifestyle choices, unfortunately, no one can lead a completely innocent life.

The decision to not take the jab may also lead to many people becoming seriously ill and dying from the virus. Peta has also stated that refusing to take the vaccine will not prevent any animals from being harmed in medical testing. 

To end the pandemic that has blighted our lives for the past year, a nationwide taking of the vaccine is vital (Picture: Cerys Turner)

According to The Vegan Society, over 500,000 people signed up for Veganuary this January, and that number is likely only to increase in the years to come as we become more aware of the impact our diet has on both our health and the environment.

With this, more people will be exposed to the awful reality behind animal testing, and just like how support for the fur trade has dropped due to exposure of its cruel practices, perhaps we will see the tide turn in favour of a more ethical substitute to using animals in medical research too.

We don’t need to look far into the future to envision an alternative to animal testing. Despite the common perception, there are already many options beginning to grow in prominence: computer modelling, trials on human volunteers and in vitro – human cells grown in a state-of-the-art system – are just a few examples.

The government made a commitment in 2010 to reduce the amount of animals used in scientific research – a decision that suggests that they recognise that animal testing is not only inhumane but also capable of substitution. However, over 10 years on, the UK remains one of the highest lab animal users in Europe.

It is sad that so many of us are forced to sacrifice our beliefs to continue this archaic practice. However, we need to see the bigger picture: as a vegan, choosing not to take the vaccine will have a far more significant impact on your loved ones and those around you than it will on the medical community.

If you are a vegan questioning whether or not take the jab, remember – there is no such thing as being a ‘bad vegan’. Your health comes first.

https://metro.co.uk/2021/03/15/covid-19-vaccine-goes-against-my-vegan-beliefs-but-im-still-taking-it-14195826/

What does it mean to be vegan in 2021? The results of The Big Vegan Survey are in…

From veganfoodandliving.com

How are vegans shopping in 2021 and what are they buying? We reveal the results of The Big Vegan Survey 2021...

Over the last five years, the world of veganism has changed beyond belief.

Today you can go to the supermarket and buy vegan versions of many of the big brands from Heinz to Hellmans and Gu to Pukka Pies. And these are deliberately vegan versions we’re talking about, not just accidentally vegan ones.

Well-known celebrities are encouraging their followers to go vegan, and wearing their vegan badge as a mark of honour.

And on a Friday night, we can log on to Domino’s or Papa Johns and order a vegan pizza to be delivered, or pop to Gregg’s for a vegan sausage roll at the weekend.

Ok, so veganism might not have become 100% mainstream yet, but it’s definitely on the right path to get there.

For this reason, all the major food manufacturers and suppliers want to know more about the vegan community so they can keep surprising us.

But often they find themselves guessing at what it is that we really want and need.

So at Vegan Food & Living, we decided to follow up on our Big Vegan Survey 2019 with a new version for 2021. Not only could we then help companies to serve us better, but we would all know more about fellow vegans in our community too.

Who took part in the Big Vegan Survey 2021

 Just over 6,500 people completed this survey between 30^th November 2020 and 4^th January 2021.

85% identified as female, and the largest percentage (25%) fall into the 45-54 age bracket, with around 18% coming from each of the 25-34, 35-44 and 55-64 categories.

People who completed the survey were spread all over the UK, with the highest percentage being from the South East, but with a good representation from the North of England, Scotland and Wales.

Are you plant-based or vegan?

When we asked people to tell us how they define their diet/lifestyle, 58% classed themselves as vegan in the 2021 survey, compared to 65% in 2019, and 14% preferred to use the term plant-based compared to 11% in 2019.

So the popularity in using the term plant-based is growing – but why?

Well, 32% of people said that it was because they ate a vegan diet, but veganism didn’t extend into their daily lifestyle. Perhaps they choose to still wear leather shoes or woollen jumpers, or aren’t as strict with their beauty choices.

Interestingly though, the next most popular reason for using the term (with 22% choosing this option), was that they don’t like the stereotypes associated with the term vegan. So perhaps they are able to dodge some of the more awkward questions or prejudices by opting to call themselves plant-based instead.

After this, 21% said that they follow a predominantly vegan diet, but do consume honey, and others commented that they occasionally eat eggs – both obviously contentious issues within the vegan community.

Does your motivation change if you’re plant-based vs vegan?

We all have different reasons behind our choice to stop consuming and using animal products.

Animal welfare and ethics, health, and the environment are the three main motivators that usually influence people. But do those motivating factors change depending on whether you’re plant-based or vegan?

In a lot of instances, it seems so!

For those who classed themselves as plant-based, when asked for the main reason they decided to follow that diet, 43% said animal welfare, but equally 43% said their motivation was health.

When people who classed themselves as vegan were asked the same question, 76% chose animal welfare as their primary motivation for going vegan, compared to just 22% who were doing it for the environment and 18% who changed for health reasons.

So those who class themselves as plant-based are generally more health-conscious and less likely to pick up ready meals or order a vegan takeaway as often, while people who class themselves as vegan are the ones you need to ask for campaigning and activism advice.

Encouragingly 58% of people who use the term plant-based and 63% of vegans classed environment concerns as a ‘Very Important’ reason for choosing their lifestyle, so we’re definitely a very eco-friendly bunch. David Attenborough rest assured that all is not lost yet!

How vegans are shopping in 2021

Having faced a year of long queues at supermarkets, tackling the obvious social distancing issues of narrow supermarket aisles and a population who struggled to grasp the concept of personal space at the best of times, 2020 was guaranteed to alter how we shopped a little bit.

And we’re just talking about supermarkets here, fashion and beauty shops are a whole other story!

In our 2019 survey, 80% of people did their weekly food shop in-store at a supermarket, compared to 11% online from a supermarket. Move on a year, and in the 2021 survey, the number of shoppers visiting a supermarket in person had decreased to 68%, compared to 19% who are now shopping online.

Frequency of shopping has changed slightly too. 45% of the 2019 survey said that they did their main grocery shop more than once a week, while this reduced to just 27% in the 2021 survey.

And who’s leading the way when it comes to supermarket vegan offerings? Unsurprisingly it’s a close-run thing with Sainsbury’s and Tesco at the forefront, Marks and Spencer creeping up the ranking, and Lidl definitely still bringing up the rear.

Perhaps a result of Covid-times shopping, opinions on where vegans would be happy to shop for items such as meat alternatives has changed slightly.

Whereas in 2019, 23% wouldn’t mind going to the meat aisle to pick up their vegan meat alternative if it meant a meat-eater might be tempted to try out the vegan version, the 2020 approach to trying to get in and out of a supermarket as quickly as possible has meant that only 19% would be willing to go to the meat aisle.

Now, 40% would prefer to be able to find everything together in a dedicated free-from aisle. Ease and convenience is key, which is why Asda had such an enthusiastic response to its vegan ambient aisles initiative!

Asda's convenient vegan aisle has proved a hit with customers who can find vegan products in one place in-store

Which vegan products are leading the way?

We’ve been treated to a lot of new product releases in 2020, but what do we think about the quality of the products? Just because they’re available, doesn’t necessarily mean they taste any good!

Well, the impression of meat substitutes has improved, with 61% saying the quality of the brands available is good, compared to 53% giving the same good rating in 2019.

26% now say that the quality of cheese is good, compared to 22% in 2019. There’s still some way to go with vegan cheese, but thankfully it has progressed from that weird alternative that in no way compared to its dairy counterpart. We can enjoy it now at least!

Egg replacements have definitely improved over the last year, with 16% saying they’re good, compared to just 8% in 2019. Welcome to the vegan community Crack’d, thanks for joining us!

What do vegans still want to see in the supermarket?

When it comes to what we’re still missing out on, the answer is the same as 2019, with 52% of people saying that what they really want to be able to buy is readymade vegan Yorkshire puddings. We hear you!

This survey may have closed before Marks and Spencer started getting rave reviews for its game-changing ‘No salt beef’ sandwich, but pre-packed sandwich ranges still weren’t hitting the right spot with the vegan community. As in the 2019 survey, 43% wanted to see better versions.

What do we also want to be able to buy with ease? Vegan Halloumi, brie and ready-made quiche are all top of the list, as are Maltesers. Mars, please give us what we want!

How has Covid-19 changed the way we live (apart from the obvious)?

Covid 19 has changed the lives of every single one of us in varying degrees and ways, so in our 2021 survey we wanted to acknowledge this by asking how the epidemic has influenced people in both positive and negative ways.

Looking at the positives we can take from the situation, 69% said they either agreed or strongly agreed that Covid had made them more mindful about shopping local and supporting small independent businesses.

57% say that it has caused them to cook from scratch more.

65% believe that it will make people think more carefully about eating meat in future, with 64% saying that more of their friends and family have already shown a greater interest in veganism.

And the pandemic has thrown environmental issues even further into the spotlight, with 55% saying that lockdown made them consider their personal impact on the environment more, and 56% saying they are using their cars less, even when we’re not in lockdown and allowed to travel freely.

But it’s definitely made us more cautious about going out, particularly to a restaurant, with only 10% saying they’d be happy going to a restaurant as often as they did pre-Covid, and 37% saying they’d stopped going to restaurants at all (even when they are open!)

How long do vegans like to spend in the kitchen?

So we know how people are shopping but what are they doing with all the delicious food they buy?

70% of the people who completed the Big Vegan Survey 2021 prefer to cook the majority of their meals from scratch, with 23% combining cooking from scratch with indulging in the occasional ready meal for convenience.

Ready meals are however decreasing in popularity, with 30% saying they eat them once a month compared to 34% in 2019, and 24% saying they never buy them compared to 20% in 2019.

The majority (65%) prefer to spend between 30 minutes and 1 hour preparing each meal, with only 6% willing to spend 1 to 2 hours in the kitchen.

47% cook a vegan meal for their whole family, with only 21% having to cook one meal for themselves and another for non-vegan members of their family. But this is probably because 51% don’t have children, so catering for fussy eaters and less sophisticated tastes isn’t as much of an issue!

And what’s the most popular cuisine? Italian just edges it with 17% choosing it as their favourite, closely followed by Indian with 16%, Chinese with 11% and Mexican and British classics, both with 10% of the vote.

So there we have it, a glimpse into the vegan world in 2021.

If you have a vegan business and would like to find out more about the full results of The Big Vegan Survey 2021, get in touch with Megan Gibbings at megan.gibbings@anthem.co.uk. 

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/big-vegan-survey-results-2021/

Vegan Venture Fund Targets Post-Pandemic Food Dilemmas

From bloomberg.com

Investors are piling into a vegan-focused venture capital fund as the coronavirus pandemic highlights growing stresses in global food production.

Blue Horizon Ventures, a Zurich-based venture capital firm focused on making food more sustainable, has closed a 183 million-euro ($222 million) fund that will invest in start-ups from alternative proteins to smart packaging. The fund has attracted more than 100 investors and exceeded its initial target of raising 100 million euros, according to Managing Partner Michael Kleindl.

“Due to the pandemic, the awareness of sustainability and the loopholes in the food system became so evident,” Kleindl said in an interview. “Covid has accelerated the shift of capital toward more impactful, more sustainable investments.”

Climate change, a growing population, and most recently the pandemic, have spurred a push for alternative food sources. Hoping to find the next Beyond Meat Inc. -- which has surged fivefold since its 2019 initial public offering -- investors are tapping the drive to replace meat with environmentally friendly alternatives or tackle problems such as food waste. Much of the investment in food of the future is being handled by venture capital firms.

FoodTech Attraction

Last year's venture-capital deals were second-highest on record

Source: PitchBook

Venture-capital investors funnelled $18.1 billion into foodtech start-ups in 2020, largely thanks to the appeal of food delivery apps or online grocers, according to researcher PitchBook.

Blue Horizon drew interest from institutional investors, even obtaining money from two pension funds, Kleindl said, without giving further details. Other investors include the European Investment Fund, Mexican food manufacturers Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV and Sigma Alimentos SA de CV, Be8 Ventures Management GmbH and Givaudan SA.

Blue Horizon Ventures, where about 90% of the staff are vegan or vegetarian, has so far backed startups such as plant-based meat producer The Livekindly Co. and lab-cultivated meat maker Mosa Meat BV.

“We really try to take the animal out of the equation,” Kleindl said.

The firm has plans to launch a second fund in the fourth quarter, which will be slightly larger than the first one, he said.

“The innovation we are seeing is truly amazing,” Kleindl said. “I can talk for hours about the cool companies we are seeing.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-20/vegan-venture-capital-fund-targets-post-pandemic-food-dilemmas

7 Reasons to Go Vegan During Lockdown

From peta.org.uk

In light of the new COVID-19 restrictions in place across much of the country, many of us are now staying home again to help keep our communities safe during the pandemic. And there’s another straightforward – and very rewarding – way to help change the world for the better from the comfort of your own home: going vegan. Why, you ask? It’s simple:

1. You’ll save lives.

Chickens, cows, pigs, sheep, fish, and other animals on farms have feelings, thoughts, and personalities. Yet the meat, egg, dairy, and fishing industries subject them to claustrophobic conditions, immense suffering, and violent slaughter.

These animals never get to raise their families, root around in the soil, build nests, swim vast distances, or do anything else that is natural and important to them.

These industries are a nightmare for animals, who are treated like a collection of body parts rather than sentient individuals. But we hold immense power to end their misery. Every vegan saves nearly 200 animals per year.

And there’s more good news: it’s so easy! Take our vegan pledge this November – World Vegan Month – to get started.

2. You’ll help prevent future pandemics.

Experts believe the COVID-19 outbreak originated in a “wet market” in Wuhan, China, where humans had direct contact with live animals and dead animal flesh. And like wet markets, squalid abattoirs and meat factories are known to be hotbeds for disease.

According to Public Health England, “Many (60 to 80% [of]) emerging infections are derived from an animal source.” Filthy factory farms, abattoirs, and meat markets threaten the health of every human being on the planet by providing a breeding ground for deadly pathogens like the ones behind COVID-19, SARS, bird flu, and more.

On farms in the UK, stressed animals are crammed into cages or sheds by the thousands and pumped full of antibiotics to keep them alive in filthy conditions that would otherwise kill them. As pathogens flourish in such environments, we’re leaving ourselves vulnerable to further catastrophic disease outbreaks and pandemics.

Humans’ mistreatment of other animals is harming not only them but also us. We can reduce the chances of another pandemic and the tragedy that would come with it by putting plants, not animals, on our plates.

3. You’ll be taking care of the planet.

Animal agriculture is killing our planet. It’s responsible for a greater proportion of greenhouse-gas emissions than all forms of transportation combined, according to the United Nations.

The UN also states that raising animals for food is “one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global”. The situation is so dire that the UN is calling for urgent and unprecedented changes now, including to our diet, to limit the catastrophic damage caused by climate change.

Scientists agree that all plant-based foods have a smaller carbon footprint than their animal-derived equivalents, so the easiest way to slow down climate change immediately is to go vegan.

4. Vegan foods are better for your health.

Eating processed meat increases our chances of developing cancer, and research suggests that consuming animals’ flesh, milk, and eggs could be as detrimental to our health as smoking.

On average, vegans are slimmer, trimmer, and healthier than meat-eaters are. Their risk of suffering from some of today’s biggest killers, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and strokes is much lower and their life expectancy is higher. Other animals aren’t the only ones who benefit when we eat vegan – we do, too.

5. You’ll help protect human rights.

While the animals exploited in the meat industry are tormented and butchered, humans in that bloody environment are suffering, too.

Working in an abattoir has been linked to various mental health problems. Records show that many workers grapple with suicidal thoughts and depression. It’s no surprise that this kind of work takes a mental toll – the animals workers are killing are, after all, terrified and fighting for their lives in the same way the cats and dogs with whom we share our homes would.

As one man who works in a pig abattoir put it to The Guardian, “Pigs down on the kill floor have come up and nuzzled me like a puppy. Two minutes later I had to kill them – beat them to death with a pipe.”

Animal rights and human rights go hand in hand. We make a positive impact on both when we choose to be vegan.

6. You’ll help end world hunger.

We produce enough calories globally to feed 10 to 11 billion people, but much of this food is given to animals on farms, not humans in need. Researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment determined that 36% of the calories in crops are fed to farmed animals. They also reported that growing crops for direct human consumption increases available food calories by up to 70% and that the newly freed-up crops would be enough to feed an additional 4 billion people.

Every day, millions of people are going hungry while crops that they could eat are instead being used to fatten animals for meat. When we consume meat, countless individuals are caught in the crossfire. Together, we can create a more just world.

7. Vegan foods are a treat for the taste buds.

From vegan cheeses to meats to mayo, there’s a world of flavour out there waiting to be discovered. When you go vegan, you’ll get to know all sorts of new flavours and delights across all your favourite cuisines. You can either whip something up yourself – by diving into some of our favourite recipes – or choose from the array of takeaway options available.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. With our guide to vegan deliveries, staying in just reached a whole new level of satisfying:

Vegan Deliveries

Pizza Hut

What Are You Waiting For?

There’s no doubt about it: 2020 has been a time for reflection – a pivotal point in our history when we must learn from past mistakes and commit to creating a better future.

Going vegan is the single best thing we can do as individuals to tackle some of the biggest threats to our world. Let’s do it!

https://www.peta.org.uk/blog/vegan-lockdown/

Pandemic has “accelerated” vegan trend, says new research

From specialityfoodmagazine.com

The latest figures from Mintel has revealed Brits are finding vegan diets more attractive since the start of the outbreak

The trend for vegan foods has been gaining traction in the UK for some time, with a record-breaking 400,000+ people signing up to take part in the 2020 Veganuary campaign. According to new research from Mintel, more Brits than ever have turned towards vegan diets since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The leading market intelligence agency revealed that 25% of Brits aged between 21 to 30 say that the pandemic has made a vegan diet more appealing. And it’s not only Millennials, the research also showed that a vegan diet is proving more attractive to 12% of all Brits, with numbers rising to 22% of Londoners.

Overall 23% of British consumers are also consuming more fruit and vegetables since the start of the pandemic, and almost one in five say that the outbreak has led to them adding more nutrients to their diet that support the immune system.

Alex Beckett, associate director of Mintel Food & Drink, explained, “People want the world to change for the better right now and they are searching for ways to show compassion. For consumers struggling to know how to make a positive difference, cutting out animal protein may be seen as a way of tackling the climate crisis, showing compassion for nature, and boosting their own nutrient intake.

“Even before the spread of COVID-19, we were seeing a growing interest in plant-based food and drink across global markets. It may well be that the pandemic is accelerating this trend.”

During the pandemic, customers have also faced stock shortages and long waits for delivery slots from the multiples, with many turning to shopping locally. Hank’s Deli & Shop is a vegan supermarket in Suffolk, which has been in business for the past year. Co-owner Geoff Bligh told Speciality Food that they have had plenty of non-vegan customers that have been eager to try a vegan diet and have discovered products at their store for the first time. He said, “We’ve had a lot of people coming into the supermarket now and saying “I considered it” or “I tried and found it difficult” and now can walk through the store and realise that everything in here is vegan.” He adds, “We’re able to do same-day delivery for people, so we have got a lot of new customers and lots of non-vegan customers too.”

https://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/news/pandemic-has-accelerated-vegan-trend-says-new-research

10 Vegan and Sustainable Brands That Sell Face Masks

From vegoutmag.com/losangeles

Wearing a face mask when going outside is essential these days. It’s important to leave those that meet medical standards to the healthcare professionals, but everyone else should be investing in a selection of good non-medical grade masks. Luckily, there are quite a few vegan-friendly and sustainable companies that are selling reusable versions made of materials such as 100% cotton, hemp, upcycled denim, deadstock fabric, and more. Here’s our list of 10 brands selling face masks available for purchase online.

BEETxBEET

This vegan lifestyle brand sells clothes and accessories, including face masks. They have two reusable options up for grabs—their Skull Face Mask and their Flower Face Mask. Each is black with a hand-painted design, made with 100% cotton, and ethically produced in Los Angeles.

Christy Dawn

Sustainable clothing line Christy Dawn currently sells face masks. “The Sustainable Mask” is a reusable, washable, non-medical grade mask assembled from sustainable deadstock fabric, sewn in their Los Angeles factory. It comes in 5-packs of various designs. They also make a kid-size version.

For Days

Known as the first closed-loop clothing brand, For Days works with front-line healthcare professionals nationwide and locally in Los Angeles to produce their reusable face masks—double layer 100% cotton jersey masks, with an option to add a filter via pocket. There are three different packs of the masks—each for the same price: “Buy 5 Masks, Donate 5 Masks,” “Send 5 Masks, Donate 5 Masks,” and “Donate 10 Masks.” Masks are donated to those such as healthcare workers, postal workers, and others in essential professions.

Groceries Apparel

Groceries Apparel is an eco-friendly apparel brand based in California. They currently stock a few different face mask options—a natural hemp woven mask with a pocket, a non-toxic indigo tie-dye print mask, a white cotton face mask, and a black cotton face mask—the latter three come in both regular and kids’ sizes. All come in three-packs, and for every pack sold, a 3-pack is donated to those in essential services (excluding the hemp mask). There is also a “buy three, give 10” option for their black and their white regular-sized masks.

HFS Collective

This sustainable accessories brand based in Los Angeles has a handful of masks up for grabs in styles of organic cotton, upcycled denim, upcycled chambray, indigo hemp, paint splattered canvas, and organic canvas. Additionally, they produce toddler and kid-sized masks—both available in the organic cotton and upcycled denim styles. Five percent of all sales from the masks will be donated to the Emergency Relief Fund for LA Garment Workers through Garment Worker Centre.

In Vegan Veritas

Vegan-themed clothing line In Vegan Veritas sells their Vegan Skull Mask. The 100% cotton face mask is printed on Bella Canvas and features the universal "V" for vegan logo and the skull from their Kale Seitan Motorcycle Club design. Fifteen percent of sales from the mask will be donated to plant-based food initiative Support + Feed.

Rachel Craven

Rachel Craven is a sustainable line of clothes currently selling their Linen Face Mask, which comes in six different colours. Made of double-layered 100% linen, the mask features a pocket for a replaceable filter, along with heavy-duty cord elastic ear loops. For each mask bought, a mask is donated to Miry's List—an organization that aids in providing for the needs of new refugee families. The brand also offers the option to donate masks.

Selva Negra

Based in Los Angeles, ethical and sustainable brand Selva Negra is selling their 100% cotton face masks. These are sold as singles, 5-packs, and 20-packs, and come in six colours. Further, they are available in sizes of small (child), medium (adult), and large (adult). For every five masks sold, the brand will donate one mask to healthcare workers across the U.S.

WAWWA

WAWWA is a UK-based vegan and sustainable clothing brand. Their face masks are made to order and feature a 100% organic cotton, double-layered body with elastane elastic loops and a brand label crafted from recycled polyester. They come in the colours black and green.

Whimsy + Row

Sustainable fashion brand Whimsy + Row is based in Los Angeles and currently offers nine different face mask designs, including one for kids. For each mask purchased, they will donate one to one of various locations in LA in need, including the Union Rescue Mission, Midnight Mission, and Downtown Women's Centre.

https://vegoutmag.com/losangeles/lifestyle-article.php?id=47

Vegan Product Sales Soar Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

From blackenterprise.com

Thee COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, pandemic has hit the food and restaurant industry hard with many restauranteurs struggling to keep their businesses afloat under the new stay-at-home restrictions. While the restaurant side of the industry may be on the verge of collapse, it is the polar opposite for supermarkets and other food items sold in local grocery stores. One sector that is particularly thriving under the virus outbreak is vegan food products.

An estimated one billion people worldwide do not eat meat and have removed animal products from their diets. In countries like Germany, the sales of vegetarian and vegan products have increased by 65.3% since 2017. Numerous celebrities such as Nick Cannon have invested in opening vegan restaurants while influencers like Tabitha Brown have found new fame teaching others how to make vegan dishes.

According to a Veganz poll, 95% of participants cited animal welfare as a factor in why they went without animal products while 83.9% also listed environmental reasons as a factor in opting for vegan products.

Since the start of the pandemic, vegan brands have seen a significant increase in sales and product gains. Beyond Meat have increased their sales by 82% since the beginning of the year. Bio Gaia gained 8%. This was during the same period the Dow Jones fell by 15% while the DAX lost 18% of its value.

According to forecasts and new data collected, the sales of vegan meat products worldwide will reach roughly $120 billion within five years. By 2040 that number could rise to $450 billion.

“Manufacturers of vegan products are also increasingly popular on the trading floor,” says cryptoscene analyst Raphael Lulay in a press statement. “Not least due to the food’s reception among consumers. In particular, progress in the field of in-vitro meat production could give an already strong growth trend a further boost.”

https://www.blackenterprise.com/vegan-product-sales-soar-amid-the-covid-19-pandemic/

COVID-19’s Impact on Vegan Businesses (And How You Can Help)

From vegoutmag.com

Nearly four years ago, VegOut “opened shop” to connect individuals looking for vegan options with businesses that had those options to offer. From day one, we have been a guide working to forward the vegan movement. From helping our audience maintain a plant-based lifestyle through providing engaging print and digital content and resources, to offering a platform for vegan shops of all sizes to be seen, we like to think we have done our small part for the planet, the animals, and your health.

Sticking True to Our Mission

That said, the world is now facing a situation none of us could have predicted. The current pandemic has thrown us into isolation, uncertainty, and confusion. We at VegOut have been hard at work to continue to bring you the content you need to find quality vegan food and supplies. We appreciate that you have continued to support the companies you love during this difficult time. Unfortunately, we see many of these businesses struggling, forced to let go of employees or to close shop completely.

A Word From the Industry

We spoke with some local business owners about how the pandemic has impacted their daily operations. Asher Brown, founder of Pollution Studios (an LA-based content production studio), shared that “Our offices and film studios have been shut down by order of the city of LA. All broadcast commercial projects have been put on hold, and many of our clients feel uncertain about their future. However we have seen a strong uptick in desire for marketing and social media consulting, digital ad creation, and for influencer and branded content that can be filmed remotely.”

Matthias Brandt and Eric Funk, of LA-based restaurant, Hinterhof, told us “business has gone down to less than 10% of what it was before … [and we] went from 21 employees to only owner operated and a cook here and there.” Jacky Wasserman of vegan clothing company, BEETxBEET, has also felt the strain of having to re-strategise and work independently, saying, “The biggest change is encouraging my in person shopper to keep supporting through the online store. I think I'm also going to have to become my #1 model. No models and no new photoshoots is tricky when coming up with new content, so maybe you'll be seeing a lot more of me.”

A Focus on Service

Those who have remained open for takeout and delivery continue to maintain their quality service. According to Alison Cruddas of vegan restaurant, Boddhi Bowl, “Apart from having to close, I haven't changed much. We have always had very strict cleaning rules here.” Being able to continue to offer their products, getting to know customers on a more personal level, and making efforts to adapt their business model to the given situation has put many owners in a unique position—doing what they can to keep doors open while experiencing unexpected forced growth at the same time.

Janette Fernandez, founder of JRF Consulting, in charge of branding and marketing for Monty’s, Nic’s on Beverly, and other vegan restaurants, for example, states that “A few of my clients have decided to close their doors in order to keep their employees safe. Others have decided to stay open with a skeleton crew and limited menu. They are turning their restaurants into small grocery shops and serving family packs. They are trying to be creative in order to stay afloat.”

Business Strategy

Others are taking this time to prepare for future endeavours. Matthew Kenney, celebrity chef and owner of a number of vegan restaurants (including Plant Food + Wine, Double Zero, and more), shares that, “The slowdown ... has provided us with an opportunity to accelerate new initiatives, including our new education platform, which we'll announce in a few days, and to reassess our role in how we may help others understand the value in choosing a plant based lifestyle.”

Similarly, that beloved food truck we’ve come to know and love as Original Herbivore is taking this opportunity to strategize quickly and redirect their business, launching their new online deli with delivery covering Los Angeles county. Despite the business shift, Sebastian Baranek (Original Herbivore’s owner) notes that “even if not directly affected by income loss, [people] are watching spending at the moment” and some “are just scared to order from the restaurant, fearing infection.”

Community Initiatives

In addition to individual business growth, new community initiatives have come out of the restaurant shutdown mandate. Hinterhof’s Brandt and Funk add, “We ... are so humbled by the opportunity to be a partner restaurant for SUPPORT + FEED, which helps a group of plant-based LA restaurants, that in turn ... provide meals for various, vetted organizations and groups who have been greatly impacted by the crisis such as first responders, hospitals, and senior centres.”

Fernandez adds, “Maggie Baird and our small team created SUPPORT + FEED to help plant-based businesses that are fighting to keep their business afloat. It is a way of giving back to first responders and others in need while supporting restaurants. If we want to get through this, it has to be a collective effort.”

The Takeaway

Like Fernandez, others in the industry remain hopeful and even optimistic about the impact the pandemic will have on the vegan movement in general. Asher Brown says, “Short term, this is not a great time to be running a small business. Long term, I think a lot of people are going to realize how much their consumption choices matter. We've been saying for a long time that global problems require global solutions, and that veganism isn't just about food - it's about compassion for all and an understanding that we need to use our voices to speak out for those who cannot. The world needs more ethical consumption right now, and the plant-based brands we work with like Follow Your Heart, Veggie Grill, Imperfect Produce, and Beyond Meat are uniquely positioned to lead the way.”

How You Can Help

The vegan movement has seen much growth in the past few years. By continuing to support these businesses, you will assure that what momentum we gained in the plant-based community will not be lost. Below are some ways you can personally help your favourite vegan shop while they are temporarily closed or compromised:

• Order takeout or delivery
• Purchase a gift card to be used later
• Gift a business with ad space
• Choose pop-ups and all-vegan establishments over big chain restaurants
• Discover unique spots to purchase everyday items, then buy in bulk (coffee beans from your go-to coffee shop?)
• Leave a glowing Google or Yelp review
• Share a vegan restaurant’s posts to encourage your friends to shop with them

Strength in Community

The current state of our nation calls for us to come together as a vegan family. The economic consequences of this pandemic are bigger than any one business or any individual need. We are a community that, in the best of times, encourages and lifts each other. Let us come together now even stronger in these times of challenge to show the country what a plant-based lifestyle truly means—love, peace, and the understanding that “If I support my neighbour, I support myself.” We will learn to adapt and change in this chaos, but we will continue to forward the vegan movement as we have from the beginning—through community, compassion, and building each other up as we would have others build us.

https://vegoutmag.com/losangeles/news-article.php?id=167

Veganism in the time of COVID-19

From vegansociety.com
By John Andrews

Over the last couple of weeks, parts of the vegan community have been working to adapt to the abrupt and drastic change in circumstances brought about by COVID-19. Major events have been cancelled or postponed, while restaurants and bars have been forced to close. In some parts of the world, the streets have been emptied of people.

Challenges abound: how should activists adapt in light of social distancing? How can independent retail or hospitality businesses survive the drop in footfall? How do we ensure vulnerable people are able to access the food and support they need throughout the duration of the crisis?
The circumstances call for adaptation, resilience and mutual support. There are emerging signs of communities rallying to the cause and in this blog, I want to highlight some of those I’m aware of. This is a perspective from London and my examples are all UK-based, but readers should feel free to get in touch with stories from their own backyards.

COVID-19 and food insecurity

In economic terms, the IMF has warned that the virus-induced recession may be “at least as bad as during the global financial crisis”. But while governments and central banks are launching economic support packages, cutting interest rates, expanding ‘quantitative easing’ and (in some cases) providing direct financial support to businesses and workers, much of the work to support those in need will inevitably need to occur at the local level. “Unlimited QE” from the Federal Reserve is one thing, but providing emotional, physical and food support to frail, isolated and worried people is quite another.

Even in relatively ‘normal’ times there are people in our societies who must cope with challenging situations, whether that be due to poor physical or mental health, financial insecurity, social isolation, or a host of other factors. In London alone, nearly 1.5 million adults and some 400,000 children are estimated to be living in conditions of low food security, while more than a quarter of the population of the city is reported to be ‘socially isolated’, meaning they do not have someone they can rely on a lot in an emergency. The outbreak of COVID-19 cruelly compounds what were for many people already challenging circumstances, jeopardising already meagre income streams, creating new sources of anxiety and fracturing already fragile support networks as direct family members become more wary of visiting vulnerable older relatives. As Sustain (a coalition of organisations in the UK working to improve the food system) has warned, there is a “clear danger of social services and food aid providers being overwhelmed” unless we see further-reaching government intervention to address the already widespread food insecurity in society.

                                                 Image taken at Made in Hackney by Simon Way

Community groups rally to the cause

Community groups have sprung into action in spite of the adverse situation. A case in point is provided by the east London charity Made in Hackney – a plant-based community cookery school that’s been providing free-to-attend cookery classes, training and community feasts since 2012. It works with young carers, those with low incomes, the elderly, residents of women’s refuges and hostels, the hearing and sight impaired, along with other vulnerable groups. I’ve been volunteering with Made in Hackney for the last several months and have seen their work first hand, as well as their gutsy response to COVID-19. 

The impact of COVID-19 on the charity was swift and brutal. What began with tentative calls from the public asking whether classes were going ahead quickly snowballed as external partners withdrew from upcoming projects. There was little option but to suspend all classes. With income streams curtailed and no one likely to be coming through the doors to attend classes for an indeterminate period of time, the charity swung from a position of relative security to facing an existential threat in less than a week.

Founder and CEO Sarah Bentley swung into action with her team. Seeing the effects of COVID-19 on the already precarious livelihoods of many people in the local community, they resolved to change the entire operating model of the organisation as quickly as possible, to reorient themselves towards providing a free home food delivery service, supplying healthy plant-based food direct to some of the most vulnerable people in the community. But to do that, they needed money, and fast. 

On 17 March, they launched an emergency crowdfunder asking people to donate to help make the delivery service a reality. The response was swift and inspiring: within the space of just one week the community had donated over £40,000 through more than one thousand people. Along with financial donations came a torrent of offers of volunteer support, cooking skills, offers of food donations, as well as various services from other local organisations and companies. The current fundraising target is £50,000, which based on current plans should keep the service running for around two months.

With the financial foundations in place, the logistical challenges are now being worked through, namely, how to produce, pack and deliver meals to vulnerable people on a consistent basis for several months, while maintaining even higher than usual hygiene standards. The group is engaging with its network of users and other local organisations to identify the most at risk people in need of food deliveries. A fleet of bicycle couriers will be tasked with getting the food out to people each day using Circuit – a delivery route planner that is providing its services for free to charities during the outbreak (and at a 90% discount for restaurants). Deliveries should begin as soon as this week.

Not everyone will be able to replicate exactly what Made in Hackney is doing without having some of the same foundations (for instance, a network of willing and able hygiene-certified chefs and other food industry contacts). However, Made in Hackney is far from alone in its response. There are numerous other vegan organisations out there looking to help their communities in whatever way they can. Here is a brief list, which I’m sure is just the tip of the iceberg:

• Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society – a North London-based vegan cookery and food education organisation – has announced its own plans to support its local community, in partnership with a local community association. They’re gathering supplies and funds to launch a community support centre, to provide fresh and cooked food, as well as support for people with completing benefits applications and forms. 
• Brighton’s Mutual Aid Vegan Foodbank has been putting on emergency openings and trying to give guidance to its users about how to maintain social distancing and hygiene when collecting food. 
• In Worthing, a new vegan foodbank has just launched and is in the process of assembling volunteers to deliver food parcels to those in need. 
• Hackney’s Black Cat Cafe has shifted to deliveries, but also recently announced on Instagram that they plan to support vulnerable people with hot meals as part of their continuing work. 
• Kindaco, an east London vegan cheese company, has been delivering free vegan cheese to people in self-isolation. 
• From next week, Kids Kitchen, who described their situation as ‘already precarious’, are nevertheless going to be running free online plant-based family cooking classes that should be suitable even for under-5s.
• Chef Day at The Vegan Chef School in London is teaching cooking skills and answering questions on Facebook Live every day at midday. The first class has focused on an easy one pot dish.

Business support networks

Businesses will also be hard hit. With many vegan businesses still in their relative infancy, they will remain incredibly vulnerable to the sort of disruption heralded by the pandemic. The situation for small food businesses in particular is dire. Many companies who sell their products through small physical shops or market stalls are being forced to retreat to online-only sales, while restaurants have switched to deliveries or collection-only services (and even these operations must now be under threat as the UK enters stricter lockdown). The stark reality is that without the exceptional support of their customers over the next few months, many of these young companies will struggle to stay afloat. 

However, there are signs of vegan businesses coming together to support one another. In London, for instance, the BRIGHT Club has launched a support network for vegan businesses to provide guidance, advice and mutual support. They are also maintaining a spreadsheet of UK vegan businesses, with well over 150 listed so far, detailing how you can continue to support them by ordering online, or buying vouchers.

Where next is anyone’s guess

In the space of a few short weeks, COVID-19 has served to highlight just how precarious many peoples’ existences are. For the less fortunate among us, the economic impact of what now appears to be an inevitable recession may be severe, while the social impact of social distancing or lock-down on already isolated or vulnerable individuals will also be significant. But there are signs of communities – including those in the vegan community – mobilising to address some of these challenges. Quite how the next few months are going to turn out is anyone’s guess, but it is clear that we all need each other more than ever.

https://www.vegansociety.com/whats-new/blog/veganism-covid-19

Vegan Food Guide to Get You Through Self-Isolation

From peta.org.uk

The world might feel like a lonely place right now, but we’re here to remind you that we’re all in this together.

Vegan Milk

Unlike most pus-filled cows’ milk, milks made from plants typically have long shelf lives – plus, there are lots to choose from. Whether you’re making a nutrient-rich curry, upping your caffeine intake for extra energy, or baking away the boredom, there’s a vegan milk for everything.

Nuts, Nuts, Nuts

Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and cashews are great sources of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. Tiny but mighty, nuts are a staple in any pantry. Unshelled almonds can be kept in a cool, dry place for years. In the freezer, pistachios keep for about six months and cashews for up to a year. Walnuts – if refrigerated in an airtight container – can last for about a year.

Chocolate

End of the world or not, chocolate is there for us. On average, dark chocolate keeps for two years from the day it was made or about one year from the time you open it – but it depends on the chocolate, so always check the expiry date. And don’t forget dreamy, creamy vegan milk chocolate.

Grain Products

Pasta and rice can be stored for a long time in the cupboard, but there are more grain products to explore when the time comes to get creative in the kitchen, including oats, barley, buckwheat, couscous, bulgur, spelt, and quinoa – which isn’t technically a grain but works like one in many recipes and is a great source of protein.

Ready to Eat

There’s lots of delicious non-perishable vegan food to stock up on at UK supermarkets. Perhaps grab a few Fray Bentos Vegetable Balti pies, packs of Kings Veggie Jerky, Itsu’s vegan Chilli Chicken Rice Noodles, canned vegan tuna from Loma Linda, and some Violife vegan cheese.

Tofu

You can marinate it, sauté it, grill it, mash it, scramble it, bake it, and even blend it. Does it blend? Yes, it does. Tofu is made of soya beans and is extremely versatile – after all, it’s been enjoyed for thousands of years. It keeps for several months if unopened and can also be frozen.

Tofu will absorb any flavour you put on it, which makes it suitable for countless recipes. Add it to your favourite sandwich, stir-fry, or curry, or make a burger with it. You can also use silken tofu to make sauces, creams, or smoothies – the possibilities are endless!

Tempeh

Keep tempeh in the freezer and it’ll last about 10 months. It’s made of fermented soya beans and, like tofu, can absorb all sorts of flavours. You can enjoy it deep-fried, baked, sautéed, or grilled in a variety of recipes. We recommend trying it in a pasta dish, sandwich, taco, or chilli.

Beans and Pulses

Black beans, kidney beans, butter beans, lentils, peas, and chickpeas are all fantastic goods to keep in the house at all times. They’re versatile, good for you, protein-packed, and easy to store. Also, you won’t have to worry about the “use by” date, which is ideal.

To level up your meals made with beans and pulses, be sure to have spices handy. We recommend curry powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, turmeric, garlic powder, and paprika.

Vegan Meats

From THIS to Oumph! to Beyond Meat, there are plenty of tasty flesh-free meats on the market – and many are sold frozen or are suitable for home freezing. Add them to burgers, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and whatever else you fancy having on a Skype dinner date during lockdown.

Vegetables

Get your five a day with some tinned or frozen veg. Tomatoes, mushrooms, sweetcorn, spinach, sprouts, kale, carrots – if you can name it, there’s probably a tinned or frozen version of it.
You can prepare your own frozen veg by buying fresh ones in season, chopping them up, and storing them in the freezer to use in sauces, soups, and more.

While you’ll need to buy vegan food essentials, we urge you to be mindful of others and not to panic- or bulk-buy. It’s a challenging time, but we can make it better by looking out for each other and choosing foods that are good for us, for the planet, and for animals.

https://www.peta.org.uk/living/vegan-quarantine/