Darebin will be named the Vegan Capital of Melbourne.
At least six vegetarian and vegan establishments have opened in the city in the past four years, suggesting that avoiding animal products is becoming more popular.
In Preston alone, two plant-based food-only companies have opened in the past month: Mad Cowgirls, a vegan store, and pay-what-you-want vegetarian restaurant, Lentil as Anything, have opened on High Street.
They have joined establishments such as La Panella bakery, famous for its soy “sausage” rolls, and Disco Beans, a vegan restaurant that moved last year from Northcote, where it worked for three years, to Plenty Road.
In Northcote on High Street, Shoko Iku, a vegetarian raw food restaurant, opened last year, joining a four-year-old Veggie Kitchen on St. George’s Road and Mama Roots Cafe in Thornbury.
Vegan Australian spokesman Bruce Poon says these new companies are showing growing demand in the vegan market.
Twenty years ago, few people heard about veganism, but now “it is very acceptable, and everyone provides for such options,” Mr. Poon says.
Vegetarian Victoria president Mark Doneddu says, “Veganism is the fastest growing global diet trend,” 2,5% of the US population is already vegan. He says social media and celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Beyoncé are facilitating this.
Doneddu says some people went vegan because they did not like the conditions in which animals are kept on industrial farms, while others care about their health and the environment.
Mad Cowgirls owner Bury Lord said veganism is a way of life. “It’s not just about what we eat, it’s about choosing compassion over cruelty. There is nothing in our store that contains animal products or has been tested on animals.”
Dietetic Association of Australia spokeswoman Lisa Renn says vegans can stay healthy for a very long time if they consume enough protein, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and vitamins B12 and D.
“It takes a lot of thinking and planning to stop using animal products altogether. This is not something that can be done suddenly,” says Ms. Renn. “When it comes to protein sources, beans, dried peas and lentils, nuts and seeds, soy products, and whole grain breads and cereals should definitely be included.”
The facts:
Vegans do not eat animal products: meat, dairy products, honey, gelatin
Vegans don’t wear leather, fur, and avoid animal-tested products
Vegans should take extra vitamins B12 and D
Veganists believe that eating vegan can reduce the risk of heart disease, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.