Veganuary participants

© Veganuary

Charity & Campaigns

Veganuary 2024 Supports Over 1.8 Million Participants Worldwide to Try Veganism

With Veganuary 2024 having recently come to a close, the organization has revealed that over 1.8 million people received its support and guidance to try veganism, in the form of emails, videos, social media posts, and podcasts. Many also purchased Veganuary products, such as the charity’s cookbook and Vegan Kit card deck. Veganuary has calculated that the actual number of participants is likely to be even higher than the figures indicate, as many people take part without officially signing up. To gain an estimate of the true number, the organization has commissioned YouGov surveys in its core campaign countries. The results suggest that the total number of participants could be as high as 25 million. Awareness of Veganuary also continues to grow, with 75% of …

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Sandra Hungate of Veganuary US

Sandra Hungate. © Veganuary US

Interviews

Veganuary US: “We Have Participants in All 50 States, Interest is No Longer Confined to Cities Like New York and LA”

Since starting out in the UK ten years ago, Veganuary has surged in popularity worldwide — particularly in the US, where the campaign is now taking place for the fifth time. The country has the highest number of participants of any nation, and over 400 American businesses took part last year. In 2024, a variety of restaurants are offering Veganuary menus, with new options such as pizzas, salads, and sandwiches. With a significant proportion of participants remaining plant-based for good after taking part in the challenge, Veganuary is driving a meaningful shift in dietary patterns, prompting many food service outlets to continue offering vegan dishes after the month is over. Veganuary US Director Sandra Hungate told us more about this incredible momentum and the highlights …

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Land of Kush

© Land of Kush

Charity & Campaigns

Veganuary 2024 Sees Major US Cities Embracing Plant-Based Living

Veganuary, a global movement encouraging people to try vegan in January, has seen remarkable growth in the United States. With the highest number of participants among all of Veganuary’s participating countries and over 400 US businesses participating in 2023, the campaign is gaining substantial momentum. Cities across the nation are embracing this trend, each offering unique highlights and specials to celebrate Veganuary. Baltimore Baltimore set a national precedent by declaring January as the official Veganuary month, a move initiated by the Black Veg Society and Veganuary, supported by DefaultVeg. Mayor Brandon M. Scott emphasized the city’s commitment to “resilient, sustainable, and healthy” communities, urging residents and businesses to explore plant-based options. He proclaimed “the month of January as ‘Veganuary’ in Baltimore, and urges residents, restaurants, …

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Veganuary billboard times square

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Food Service

New York City Spearheads Veganuary 2024 in the US With Plant-Powered Menus

In celebration of Veganuary 2024, New York City is leading the charge in the USA, with restaurants across the city offering plant-based specials throughout the month, following a PSA kickoff in Times Square on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Veganuary’s journey in the US began with an advertising campaign in the Boston subway in December of 2017, following a successful campaign in the London Underground the year prior. The initiative has since witnessed a significant rise in popularity. Growing interest in Veganuary By 2022, the US had the highest number of participants among over 200 participating countries, according to Veganuary’s reports. This growing interest is mirrored in the latest YouGov study commissioned by Veganuary, revealing that 71% of US adults are aiming to …

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Indian veggie food

© ashtproductions - stock.adobe.com

Studies & Numbers

Veganuary India to See Record Participation as 59% of Indians Consider a Vegan Diet

Veganuary India is expecting a record number of participants in its 2024 campaign, after a YouGov survey revealed that 59% of Indians are likely to consider a vegan diet in the near future. 74% of respondents believed a vegan diet was healthy, 72% said it was good for the environment, and 73% thought that it helped to stop animal exploitation. 62% said they thought the vegan lifestyle was easy to maintain, while 61% believed there were enough vegan food choices. 55% said that the diet does not mean compromising on taste. India has a long-running tradition of vegetarianism for religious reasons, and this was evident in the survey responses. Almost 70% of participants said they believed the country’s vegetarian traditions could help to fuel the …

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©Uber Eats

Delivery Services

Vegan Food Delivery Soars in Chile as Uber Eats Sees 45% Increase in Vegan Offerings

To celebrate Vegan World Month with good news, the charity Veganuary and Uber Eats have revealed positive findings from their latest research on vegan food delivery in Chile: more restaurants are offering vegan food on the app. Figures from the analysis show that the vegan category of Uber Eats has experienced a 45% increase compared to the previous year. And interestingly, it has already surpassed the 2022 growth mark so far this year.  “We have seen that there is a great interest on the part of app users to open up to new options. At the same time, restaurants and associated businesses have made an effort to satisfy these new consumer trends, offering much more. Therefore, we believe that this is a trend that will continue to grow”, says Verónica …

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Veganuary participants

© Veganuary

Charity & Campaigns

80% of Veganuary Participants Have Reduced Their Animal Product Consumption by Over 50%

Veganuary, the campaign encouraging people to try a vegan diet for the month of January, has published the results of its six-month follow-up survey for 2023. 98% of Veganuary participants said they were eating fewer animal products than before they took part in the campaign, while 80% had reduced their animal product consumption by 50% or more. 28% had opted to remain fully vegan; the biggest motivator for this group was learning more about veganism, followed by discovering that being vegan was easier than expected. Better health was also an important factor, with over 60% of participants seeing improvements in this area. 58% had more energy, 51% said their skin appearance had improved, and 43% saw a positive impact on their body weight. Of those …

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UK-born charity Veganuary has opened its eighth country chapter in Spain.

© Veganuary

Charity & Campaigns

Veganuary Opens Office in Spain to Continue the Campaign’s Global Expansion, Vegan Actor Dani Rovira Becomes Supporter

UK-born charity Veganuary, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, announces it has opened its eighth country chapter in Spain. Moreover, the Spanish actor Dani Rovira recently joined Veganuary as a supporter to spread the message and importance of veganism. With the climate crisis making headlines almost daily, the organization says it is intensifying its efforts to promote planet-friendly vegan diets worldwide. Besides the new office in Spain, the charity has chapters in seven countries: the UK, USA, Germany, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and India. In addition, it has partner organizations in Mexico, Italy, France, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, and Singapore to run official campaigns and make veganism mainstream. Amanda Romero, the new director for Veganuary Spain, shares that more than five million people, representing 13% of the …

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veganuary's banner for the end of the vegan diet challenge

© Veganuary

Charity & Campaigns

Veganuary 2023 Breaks Records with 700,000 Participants Trying Vegan Diet

Veganuary 2023 has broken all previous records with more registered participants than ever, with 706,965 people officially signing up for the vegan diet challenge from nearly every country in the world, reports the organisation. At the beginning of the month, the international charity announced that one person every 2.4 seconds was signing up for the diet challenge. With this year’s participation figures, Veganuary can joyously celebrate the 10th year of its global campaign, supported by actress Lucy Watson and famous French restaurateur Alexis Gauthier who became official Ambassadors for the charity this year. Participation could be significantly larger According to Veganuary, several studies have suggested that the total participation in the challenge is significantly larger than the number of registered people through Veganuary’s website.  In a YouGov survey conducted this …

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Veganuary TV Ad

©Veganuary

Society

Study Reveals Impact of Veganuary in UK and Netherlands

Marketing research firm Toluna surveyed consumers in the Netherlands and the UK on the impact of Veganuary on their diets in 2023. To find out just how much the trend has caught on, the Toluna Germany team conducted a survey of Veganuary participants in the UK and the Netherlands for the second year running. The results of the survey, which was conducted among consumers on 21 and 22 January, show that the consumption of vegan food continues to rise. Participation and overall impact In the 2022 Toluna Veganuary study, an increase in popularity was noted compared to 2021. However, this figure stagnated in 2023. In the UK, 54% of consumers said they were thinking about participating in the Veganuary – similar to the 55% who …

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just eat's veganuary food offer

© Just Eat

Market & Trends

Just Eat Joins Veganuary, Reveals 12% of Spanish Consumers Participate in the Challenge

Just Eat, a food delivery platform operating in more than 20 countries, has joined Veganuary 2023 by adding a new section for veggie options to its app to promote and increase vegetable consumption during January. Spanish consumers practicing Veganuary Just Eat conducted a survey with IPSOS Digital to provide data on Spanish consumers’ attitudes toward following a plant-based diet, revealing that 12% of Spanish consumers were practicing Veganuary. The study also showed that 17% of Spanish consumers have already reduced their meat intake in their regular diet. Furthermore, according to the study, the main reasons for eating vegan or vegetarian food among the respondents were: taste (38%), health (36%), and sustainability (26%).  “This shows that the prejudice towards this type of food is decreasing and clearly reflects the global …

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veganuary 2023

© Veganuary

Charity & Campaigns

Veganuary in Spain and LATAM: More Than 80 Promotions and Discounts Available

During the 2023 Veganuary campaign, more than 80 brands, restaurants and retailers from Spain, Mexico and South America are participating with discounts and a wide range of vegan offerings to motivate those who may be trying a vegan or plant-based lifestyle for the first time. In Spain: Subway, VeggiAnimals, Vegan Food Club and Revolu Green! are some of the brands with the biggest vegan offerings during January In Chile: NotCo, Jumbo, Papa Johns, Yoguen Fruz, Vilay and Vegusta, will be offering significant discounts In Mexico: Mr. Tofu will have discounts on its own brands as well as Daiya and Better Balance In Argentina: Hiper Changomas and Más Online Supermercado will offer more than 100 discounted products for Veganuary In Ecuador: Veggie Lover In Colombia: Cero …

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prêt a manger's veganuary offerings

© Pret A Manger FB

Food Service

Even More Veganuary 2023 Offerings From Pret a Manger & The Real Greek

UK food service chains Pret a Manger and  The Real Greek are the latest to introduce new offerings as Veganuary experiences its biggest ever year in a decade. Pret A Manger  Freshly prepared food and organic coffee chain Pret A Manger (Pret) will introduce two new vegan sandwiches featuring Violife’s Smoky Cheddar Slices just in time for Veganuary. According to Violife, this marks the first time the food chain has launched Violife’s vegan cheeses in its menu options. The new vegan sandwiches will be available in Pret A Manger stores across the UK from 11th January 2023: Spicy No’duja Toasted Focaccia: Rosemary focaccia with mushroom No’duja, red pesto, red pepper, fresh basil leaves, and Violife’s vegan cheese. Plant Ploughman’s Baguette: Fresh baguette filled with Violife’s …

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Toni Vernelli Veganuary

Toni Vernelli ©Veganuary

Interviews

Veganuary: “Businesses That Do Not Embrace Plant-Based Products Are Simply Not Going to Survive”

Veganuary, as surely all of our readers will be aware, is already in full swing and promises to be far bigger and more impactful than ever before. As we reported just yesterday, one person is signing up every 2.4 seconds to take part in the vegan pledge, and, impressively, 9% of UK adults have tried the challenge at least once, which based on the current population, is estimated at approximately six million people. Not forgetting that in the US, Billie Eilish recently supported the campaign and asked her 107 million followers to sign up! It’s been two years since we last chatted with International Head of Communications and Marketing Toni Vernelli, so we had to grill this busy lady on what’s happening now and upcoming …

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emirates' inflight vegan meals

© Emirates FB

Tourism & Travel

Emirates Records 154% Increase of Customers Ordering Inflight Vegan Meals

As reported by N Travel, Middle Eastern airline Emirates recorded a 154% increase of customers ordering inflight vegan meals, serving over 280,000 plant-based meals, including more than 195,000 vegan desserts in 2022.  Emirates has been offering vegan options for more than two decades in some of its routes to cater to passengers with diet preferences related to religious beliefs. However, the airline has been accommodating to requests and preferences for animal-free foods since plant-based dishes have been gaining popularity worldwide in the last few years. According to the carrier, a significant increase in requests for vegan meals on US, Australian, European, and UK routes has been recorded in the last decade, and currently, requests for vegan options are soaring on flights from Beirut, Cairo, and Taiwan. …

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OmniSeafood

© OmniFoods/The Queen Inn

Food Service

OmniPork & OmniSeafood Expand to 500+ UK Restaurants for Veganuary

Hong Kong-based OmniFoods is expanding its award-winning plant-based OmniPork and OmniSeafood to over 500 restaurant outlets across the UK. In London, renowned Chinese restaurant Din Tai Fung is offering OmniCrab cakes as an appetiser, while street food specialist Sugoi Japan has launched Vegan Tonkotsu Ramen with OMNI Luncheon. Whitley-based fish and chip shop Fisherman’s Bay (one of the top 20 in the UK) now offers the OMNI Golden Fillet, while vegan diner OOWEE is serving the OMNI Ocean Burger in Bristol and Brighton. In Manchester, Hong Kong-style eatery 1998 Cafe has launched Braised Eggplant with OMNI Mince, while bakery A Little Sweet is offering the OMNI Luncheon Egg Crispy Burger. Welsh vegan pub and steakhouse The Queen Inn is featuring OmniSeafood in its brand new …

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New Veganuary options

© Frankie & Benny's

Food Service

Frankie & Benny’s, Papa John’s, and Tortilla Launch New Veganuary Options

Three large food service chains — Frankie & Benny’s, Papa John’s, and Tortilla — have launched new Veganuary options in the UK. Frankie & Benny’s Italian-American chain Frankie & Benny’s is collaborating with plant-based brands Biff’s, THIS, and OGGS to launch a “Big Vegan Takeover” for Veganuary. Three new dishes have been introduced: Biff’s Parmigiana Hoagie — smashed jackfruit wings served in a garlic ciabatta and topped with Napoletana sauce, THIS™ Isn’t Bacon, vegan cheddar sauce, and basil leaves. The sandwich is served with skin-on fries. BBQ Spicy Banana Blossom Burger — a patty topped with vegan cheddar sauce and BBQ sauce. The burger also contains vegan mayo, lettuce, and red onion, and is served with skin-on fries. OGGS Vegan Carbonara — a creamy garlic …

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Katsu Quorn nugget curry

© Wetherspoon

Food Service

Wetherspoon Launches Katsu Quorn Nugget Curry for Veganuary

UK pub chain Wetherspoon has launched a new plant-based menu item, Katsu Quorn Nugget Curry, for Veganuary. The Japanese-style curry contains vegan Quorn chicken nuggets in katsu curry sauce. It is topped with sliced chillis and coriander, and served on a bed of coconut flavoured rice. The menu option was previously trialled at a limited number of locations, but is now available nationwide. The curry adds to Wetherspoon’s extensive plant-based range, which also includes pizza, a Beyond Meat burger, five-bean chilli, an English breakfast, and more. The chain is promoting these options throughout its pubs this month in support of Veganuary. Vegan pub food While UK pub food is not traditionally vegan-friendly, things are changing. Last year, Welsh pub The Queen Inn made its entire …

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squeaky bean's ready to cook tandoori chicken product

© Squeaky Bean

Retail & E-Commerce

UK: Latest Veganuary Offerings From Squeaky Bean, Urban Eat & Aldi

Squeaky Bean, Urban Eat & Aldi have added new Veganuary offerings, with vegan products ranging from alternative meats, vegetable sandwiches, and vegan cheese.   Squeaky Bean The 100% vegan deli slice specialist Squeaky Bean has announced two new meat alternatives for its heat & eat range — Seasoned Chicken Style Pieces and Tandoori Chicken Style Pieces — now available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide. The brand says that both ready-to-cook vegan options are high-protein and delicious. Another recent Squeaky Bean addition is its chorizo-style sausage made from fava beans, which launched last month at Waitrose. “Sometimes we all need that satisfying feeling of cooking a meal, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen. Two new easy-to-use recipes have been created to ensure …

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Asda new plant-based products

© Asda

Products & Launches

Asda to Launch Over 110 New Plant-Based Products in 2023

UK supermarket chain Asda is set to introduce a huge selection of new plant-based products this year, spread across two different ranges. The brand new OMV! range offers “decadent, tasty treats”, including meat alternatives such as Hot & Spicy No Chicken Burgers and No Pork Caramelised Red Onion Sausages. It will also include ready meals like plant-based macaroni cheese and the No Prawn Sandwich, along with sweet treats such as Choc Brownies and the Salted Fudge Chocolate Bar. 86 products for Veganuary Meanwhile, Asda’s nutritionally balanced Plant Based range will be expanded with new options including bacon-style rashers and a Chick*n Caesar Wrap. The latter features flame-grilled soy protein pieces, vegan Caesar-style mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, gherkins, and vegan Italian-style hard cheese. 86 products will launch …

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