Lately, it feels a little bit like theres been a mandate set in place that says we cant go a week without a new, all-vegan grocery store opening up. Last week, the French organic grocery chain, Naturalia, opened up three all-vegan locations. Not long before that,Londons first all-vegan grocery store opened its doors. While nowadays, its easy to step into just about any grocery store with a full weeks worth of staples like plant-based milk (and not just almond, soy, and coconut highfalutin varieties, like macadamia and hemp), tempeh, tofu, and of course fresh fruit and veggies, the concept of a vegan grocery is nice. Its aplace where you can do you shopping without having to check the label unless you have allergies, which in that case, please check the label.

This summer, Long Islands first completely vegan grocery, Sweet to Lick The Market, will open its doors in Williston Park, a village on western Long Island. The shop will open three doors down from Sweet to Lick, Long Islands first vegan bakery. According to The Island Now, the market will feature fresh local greens and packaged vegan foods, so shoppers will be able to pick up their groceries and then go grab avegan Italian rainbow cookie,in true Long Island fashion, only without the eggs or dairy. (P.S. Cant make it out to Long Island? Try this recipe for vegan Italian rainbow cookies.)

In spite of being close to New York City, one of the most veg-friendly cities in the world, Long Island has long been a dry spot when it comes to vegan options. Luckily, as more and more people in the United States are choosing to eat more plant-based foods, options have grown. Little Nook Cafe, a late night spot in Sayville, offers vegan pizza and baked goods from the award-winning Vegan Treats bakery in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Cornucopia Natural Foods, also located in Sayville, is an organic grocery that offers local produce, vegan grocery staples, and a deli counter in the back with a wide selection of options for those looking to grab a quick bite to eat. And Sweet Annabelles,a vegan ice cream company whose founder Lorene started off selling her wares at a former dairy-farm-turned-sanctuary or at farmers markets, is now available at Batata Cafe, a local spot that offers a vegan menu.

Sweet to Lick The Market is set to open later this summer. According to founder Michael Sabet, So many of the vegan spots are like, just so cool, and Im maybe just not cool enough to be there. But this is my place. Its exactly as cool as I am, so my familys welcome, your familys welcome.

Love to cook plant-based? We highly recommend checking out theFood Monster app, a food app available for bothAndroidandiPhone. The app has over 8,000+ vegan recipes with 10+ recipes added daily. Give it a try!

Image source: Sweet to Lick

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Long Island's First All-Vegan Grocery Store Set to Open This Summer - One Green Planet