Society

Belfast endorses global Plant Based Treaty

Councillor Paul Doherty. © Social Democratic and Labour Party

Belfast Becomes First Irish City to Endorse Global Plant Based Treaty

The Northern Irish capital, Belfast, has become the first city in Ireland to endorse calls for a global Plant Based Treaty. The campaign aims to address the impacts of climate change through a shift towards plant-based diets. The motion was brought by Councillor Paul Doherty, who previously helped to make Belfast a Right to Food City as part of a campaign working to end hunger. Doherty told Belfast Live that the council had already made progress in improving access to food through initiatives such as breakfast clubs, and said committing to the Plant Based Treaty was “an important next step”. Now that the motion has successfully passed, Belfast City Council will contact the Northern Ireland Assembly to call for a broader commitment to the treaty …

more

Organisations and brands:

VegWeek animal outlook

© Animal Outlook

VegWeek 2024: Alicia Silverstone and Tig Notaro Lead Call for Vegan Action

Animal protection organization Animal Outlook is hosting its 15th annual VegWeek this week, leading up to Earth Day on April 22. The week-long campaign encourages individuals to adopt a vegan diet through the VegPledge, promoting the environmental and health benefits of reducing animal product consumption. Currently, over 70000 people have taken the VegPledge. This initiative is supported by several local governments across the United States, including Washington, DC, and Hawaii, which have issued proclamations recognizing the connection between animal agriculture and climate change. New support has also emerged from cities like Annapolis, MD; Worcester, MA; and Pompano Beach, FL. Director of Outreach and Engagement at Animal Outlook, Jenny Canham, states, “By eating vegan, even if you start for just one week, you are taking action …

more

Organisations and brands:

NotCo LATAM

© NotCo

NotCo Partners with LATAM Airlines to Offer NotBurger & NotChicken Aboard Domestic Flights

Chilean foodtech company NotCo and LATAM Airlines Group have announced the introduction of NotCo’s plant-based products in the Premium Economy cabin of LATAM’s domestic flights in Chile as part of a menu update. This partnership will see the integration of six unique sandwich options into LATAM’s in-flight service, crafted through a joint effort between the airline’s chefs and NotCo. The menu options, which will vary weekly, feature NotCo’s plant-based products, including NotMila, NotChicken, and NotBurger, in combination with a variety of other ingredients. Max Silva, the country manager of NotCo in Chile, stated, “Getting on board LATAM planes is simply a dream for the company. Bringing the revolution and innovation that so distinguishes us to a company of such magnitude as LATAM makes us feel …

more

Organisations and brands:

mother feeding baby

© Odua Images - stock.adobe.com

USDA Nutrition Program for Low-Income Women and Children Now Features Plant-Based Dairy

The Biden-Harris Administration, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), has announced significant updates to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), notably including the incorporation of plant-based yogurts and cheeses. The revisions, grounded in the latest scientific recommendations from both the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for 2020-2025, aim to enhance nutrition security and maternal and child health while providing increased flexibility for participants. The WIC program helps ensure good health for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, breastfeeding mothers, and children up to age five by providing food packages, vouchers, and nutritional education. The program reaches a significant portion of American families with young …

more

Organisations and brands:

Bull in a Climate Shop report by Friends of the Earth and Profundo

© Profundo / Friends of the Earth

The Shocking Truth of How Subsidies Impact the Cost of Plant-Based vs. Animal Meat

There’s a prevailing narrative that plant-based meat alternatives are more expensive than meat, making them less accessible to many consumers. However, a critical, often overlooked element in this discussion is the profound impact of government subsidies on market prices. Multiple global studies and data as described below highlight a substantial gap in government support, with meat and dairy producers receiving a lion’s share compared to their plant-based counterparts. This financial imbalance, fueled by policy decisions and the formidable lobbying power of the meat and dairy industries, plays a crucial role in maintaining lower prices for animal products at the expense of plant-based alternatives.  The subsidy gap Government subsidies designed to support the agricultural sector are distributed in a manner that heavily favors meat and dairy …

more

Meat Exhaustion Day

© FOUR PAWS

Meat Exhaustion Day Demonstrates Our Planetary Over-Consumption of Animals

FOUR PAWS has calculated the so-called “Meat Exhaustion Day“, i.e. the day on which the maximum recommended meat consumption per year is reached around the world. The concept of Meat Exhaustion Day is established by comparing the average actual meat consumption per capita against the advised levels. This comparison is conducted globally, regionally, and nationally, based on recommendations from the Planetary Health Diet. This proposes daily meat consumption ranges of 0-14 grams for beef, 0-14 grams for pork, and 0-58 grams for poultry. This analysis employs the mean values of 7 grams for beef and pork, and 29 grams for poultry. Critical situation in the Global North According to the findings, global meat consumption significantly exceeds levels considered healthy or sustainable, especially in high-income countries …

more

Organisations and brands:

Cem Özdemir Germany Vegetarian Minister

Cem Özdemir © Sedat Mehder

Germany’s Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir Addresses Declining Meat Consumption

German meat consumption falls to an all-time low. Federal Minister Cem Özdemir suggests utilising new market opportunities. The long-term trend of declining meat consumption continued in 2023. According to preliminary figures from the Federal Information Centre for Agriculture (BZL), per capita meat consumption fell by 430 grams to 51.6 kilograms. This is the lowest figure since records began. Oat milk and veggie burgers offer market potential The famously vegetarian Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, comments: “Germans are paying more attention to their health, the impact on the environment or the welfare of animals when it comes to their diet. Many people are eating less meat today, but more consciously – and all the figures suggest that the trend is continuing. Agriculture, trade …

more

Cows on a truck

© ocphoto-stock.adobe.com

82% of EU Agricultural Subsidies are Channeled into Climate-Damaging Animal Products

The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy channels a large proportion of its agricultural subsidies into supporting the production of emission-intensive animal-based foods. According to a new study, 82% of EU agricultural subsidies are channelled into the production of emission-intensive animal products, with a portion being provided directly and another portion indirectly through feed subsidies. This practice is at odds with the European Green Deal and the growing calls for more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. The analysis of global physical input-output datasets in conjunction with public subsidy data showed that the subsidy intensity for animal products increases significantly when the necessary feed is included. These animal products are associated with 84% of embodied greenhouse gas emissions from EU food production. Despite their high share of …

more

© University of Leeds

University of Leeds Offers Studentship on Social & Environmental Impact of Alt Proteins

The UK’s University of Leeds is collaborating with GFI Europe to offer a studentship addressing the question, “How will alternative proteins affect people and the environment in the UK and Europe over the coming decades?” The interdisciplinary PhD project is said to be suitable for an academically excellent, impact-focused candidate. Applicants must have an excellent, relevant undergraduate degree, along with a passion for sustainable food systems and proven quantitative and communication skills. The project will seek to address three queries within the main overarching question: How are different alternative proteins likely to be accepted in different European contexts? How could European demand for different proteins change up to 2050? What would the social, economic, and environmental impacts of meeting this demand be? The aim is …

more

Organisations and brands:

Dutch brands make half of recipes on packaging meat-free

© Jumbo

Seven Dutch Brands Agree to Make 50% of Recipes on Their Packaging Meat-Free

Following campaigning by animal rights group Wakker Dier, seven brands in the Netherlands — Conimex, Fairtrade Original, Jumbo, Knorr, Koh Tai, Patak’s, and Plus — have agreed to make 50% of the suggested recipes on their product packaging meat-free. Another two major brands — Grand’Italia and Lassie — already feature 50% vegetarian or vegan recipes, while Albert Heijn and Maggi have pledged to add plant-based tips to their packaging but not to remove meat from half of recipes. Just one of the brands approached, Honig, said it would not make any changes. After analysing 657 recipes on product packaging, Wakker Dier found that over 80% currently feature meat or fish. The group points out that the Health Council of the Netherlands recommends eating 60% plant-based …

more

Organisations and brands:

Sodexo - Chesapeake Mini-Cakes

Chesapeake Mini-Cakes © Sodexo

Sodexo Makes Plant-Based Meals the Norm in US Campus Restaurants

Sodexo USA recently announced that it has massively expanded the use of the DefaultVeg strategy in university dining halls. This strategy, which was first piloted by Sodexo in collaboration with the Better Food Foundation and the Food for Climate League in university canteens with all-you-can-eat offerings, uses behavioral incentives to encourage a plant-based dietary change. The expansion of offerings coincides with the publication of a recent peer-reviewed study conducted in Sodexo-operated dining halls, which concluded that offering plant-based meals as a standard may preserve students’ freedom of choice while encouraging them to choose these meals more often. The study, authored by Boston College researchers Joel Ginn and Gregg Sparkman, was published in the February issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology and was conducted by …

more

Organisations and brands:

ProVeg Czechia launches plant-based innovation course

Image: Nick Morrison on Unsplash

ProVeg Czechia Launches Course to Boost Plant-Based Innovation

ProVeg Czechia has introduced a new course that aims to support plant-based innovation, contributing to the development of higher-quality plant-based alternatives in the Czech and Slovak markets. The course discusses innovative production processes, consumer needs, current trends, and nutrition. It also addresses the labelling of plant-based products, and includes inspiring case studies. Food industry professionals, along with those studying alternative proteins or interested in entering the field, are invited to enroll in the course. It will be delivered online during June and July. “The ongoing developments in the sector are a clear sign that alternative protein isn’t just a passing trend but a robust movement with a promising future,” said Veronika Baťová, Project Manager and course organiser at ProVeg Czechia. “A growing number of consumers …

more

Organisations and brands:

View of the Harvard University's Campus in Cambridge, Mass

© Marcio - stock.adobe.com

Harvard Initiative ‘Food 4 Thought’ Gathers Students in 3 Day Event to Address Meat Consumption

Harvard University will be the epicenter of a global student gathering aimed at reshaping the world’s food system to be more sustainable, equitable, and healthy. Scheduled from April 12th to 14th 2024, the inaugural three-day event, titled Food 4 Thought, is organized by students with a mission to address the pressing challenges posed by the current food consumption patterns, particularly the escalating consumption of meat. Motivated by the urgent need to ease the growing pressure on nature and public health caused by increasing meat consumption, Food 4 Thought aims to bring together the most talented individuals from various fields to imagine a food system for the future that is both compassionate and environmentally friendly. Strategies for transformative action Navin Durbhakula, a Harvard student and the …

more

Organisations and brands:

UK's first vegan theatre to open in Canterbury

Image: The Garlinge Theatre on Facebook

“UK’s First Vegan Theatre” to Open Near Canterbury, Kent

A cooperative is set to open what is claimed to be the UK’s first vegan theatre on an organic farm near the town of Canterbury, Kent. Only vegan foods and beverages will be permitted in the Garlinge Theatre, which has a capacity of 300. This rule will also apply to anyone who hires the venue. The first productions will take place in the theatre next month. The building was previously a Steiner school, which closed last year after problems were discovered during an inspection. However, a new Steiner-inspired school will now open on part of the site. The school, Light Root’s Home Education, is part of the cooperative that has taken over the building, alongside actress Alison Harris and Swale councillor Terry Thompson. A fundraising …

more

Organisations and brands:

Semana sin carne

© ProVeg Spain

More Than 32,000 People Join Spain’s Meat-Free Week Semana Sin Carne

On the occasion of World Meatless Day, which is on March 20, ProVeg has announced the seventh edition of Semana Sin Carne (Meat-free Week), a 7-day challenge to encourage the population to adopt a more plant-based diet and give the health of our planet a break. The seven-day challenge will begin next Monday, March 18 and all interested people will be able to live a different plant experience each day of the challenge. Every day you will be provided with a daily menu, exclusive vegan recipes, nutritional tables, comparisons or nutritional advice and support, among many other things. Eating plant-based saves money The organization states that “a more plant-based diet will make you save on the shopping cart,” which, in turn, is in line with …

more

Organisations and brands:

Korea vegan food tour

© Green Earth Travel

Korea Tourism Organization Launches Nine-Day Vegan Food Tour

The Korea Tourism Organization has organized the country’s first ever vegan food tour, after seeing a significant increase in the number of people adopting a vegan lifestyle. The tour is nine days long and includes stops in major cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. Participants will be able to sample traditional plant-based Korean dishes at restaurants and cooking classes; they will also learn about the country’s history and culture through activities such as meditating at a temple, visiting an apple farm, and exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites. The tour will be operated by Green Earth Travel, which also offers vegan tours in areas such as Cambodia, Nepal, and Bali. It will take place for the first time in September 2024. “South Korea has …

more

Pamela Anderson joins vegan skincare brand Sonsie Skin

© Sonsie Skin

Pamela Anderson Joins Vegan Skincare Brand Sonsie Skin as Owner & Co-Founder

Actress Pamela Anderson has acquired vegan skincare brand Sonsie Skin, and will now join the company as co-founder. Anderson is a longtime vegan, known for her animal rights activism and partnerships with vegan brands. Last year, she attracted attention by attending a fashion show without makeup, and has continued to make appearances barefaced ever since. She is now taking a new approach to beauty, focusing on skin health and self-acceptance rather than perfection. The aim is to inspire consumers who feel pressured by social norms to “embrace their most vulnerable self”. “To me, true beauty is about celebrating authenticity. I want to look like myself, feel like myself, and that means taking care of myself — inside and out,” said Anderson. Minimalist skincare Sonsie Skin …

more

Organisations and brands:

Hungry Planet crab cakes

© Hungry Planet

Hungry Planet Among 65 Global Plant-Based Organizations Nominated for Earthshot Prize

Hungry Planet Foods announces that it has officially been nominated for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, a global initiative that seeks to discover, celebrate, and scale innovative solutions that address the planet’s biggest environmental challenges by 2030.  The company creates plant-based meat alternatives, such as beef, chicken, pork, and crab, using ingredients like textured wheat protein, soy protein, and other plant ingredients. Hungry Planet states that its products are now served at thousands of food service venues across the US, including fine dining, fast casual, universities, and hospitals, along with various retail outlets and online via PlantX. Through its philanthropic arm, the company has also helped provide over 1 million meals to school children K-12. The Earthshot Prize, established in 2020 by Prince William and The …

more

Organisations and brands:

SWISS airlines serving EggField vegan eggs

© SWISS / EggField

Alt Eggs from Aquafaba Created by Zurich Startup EggField Now Available to SWISS Air Passengers

EggField, a Zurich startup for plant-based egg alternatives, is enjoying its first successes in in-flight catering thanks to its collaboration with Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Hiltl restaurant. Thanks to the new partnership with EggField and Hiltl, SWISS business passengers have been able to find additional sustainable menu items, including the plant-based pumpkin and chestnut goulash with spaetzli, on the boarding menu since the beginning of 2024. The spaetzli are made entirely without eggs. This has been ensured by Hiltl, which, as a vegetarian pioneer, has been creating meat-free dishes for SWISS travelers since 2009. Hiltl has been using the natural egg alternatives made from aquafaba from EggField since 2020 and has thus been able to develop its spaetzli without animal eggs. The EggField …

more

Impossible X US Army

© Impossible Foods

Impossible Foods Partners with US Army Central to Serve Plant-Based Options to Overseas Troops

Impossible Foods has announced a milestone in its partnership with the US military, with the US Army Central now poised to introduce Impossible’s plant-based meat products into its dining facilities overseas in the coming weeks. Impossible explains to vegconomist that the initiative comes as a result of the growing demand for more plant-based meal options across the military. The products have been available in various military food operations for the last few years, says a representative, for example at Walter Reed Medical Center, which the company says indicates a gradual shift towards more diverse dietary offerings within the armed forces. However, this is the first time Impossible has worked directly with the US Army Central to serve its products in various military dining facilities, as …

more

Organisations and brands:

load more