This month, vegan eggs hit the menu at all 14 residential dining halls at Ivy League university Yale. Made by vegan company Zero Egg, the plant-based eggs are being served five to seven times per week during breakfast and brunch as part of scrambles, in breakfast sandwiches made with Zero Egg patties and Beyond Meats sausage, and as a base for the Vegan Herbed Frittata.

Founded in 2018 in Israel, Zero Egg began making its foodservice debut in the US in 2020 as a versatile replacement for animal-derived eggs. The brand chose to focus on college campuses because the biggest trends in food and beverage tend to emerge there. Generation Z is also a demographic that is acutely aware of the role animal agriculture plays in the climate crisis and is looking to consume more environmentally friendly foods.

Zero Egg

Student diners represent the next 10 to 15 years of restaurant goers, so it was a natural conclusion for us to start on campuses in New England, Graeham Henderson, Zero Egg sales lead for the region, told VegNews. Since Zero Egg has the same taste, texture, and versatility of an ordinary egg, it doesnt just appeal to vegan students either. The majority of studentsupwards of 60 percentwho are ordering our plant-based eggs are non-vegan and would otherwise be consuming ordinary eggs.

In addition to Yale, Zero Egg is available at other college campuses in the New England area, including Colleges of the Fenway, Boston University, Connecticut College, and Mount Holyoke College, with more to come in the fall semester.

Zero Egg

Approximately 1.3 trillion eggs are consumed globally every year and to produce this volume, egg-laying hens are forced to live miserable lives within the industrial animal agriculture industry. In addition to being a more ethical choice, plant-based egg alternatives do not rely on animal biology which presents myriad environmental, individual health, and public health benefits.

A shift toward plant-based eggs means a move away from the overuse of antibiotics, risk of zoonotic disease, and unreliable egg supply chains. Zero Egg was co-founded by food scientist Liron Nimrodi with this in mind. Animal-based foods are just not healthy for you and are hurting the environment and farmed animals, Nimrodi told VegNews. Eggs are part of that, and we at Zero Egg want to be part of the solution for a better tomorrow.

To provide a fully functional substitute, Zero Egg is available to foodservice operators in several formats including frozen liquid, ready-to-eat patty, and shelf-stable powder made from two patent-pending formulations that mimic animal eggs using a blend of plant-based components. Our product functions like an ordinary egg but is entirely made from plants, Nimrodi said. Created with a proprietary blend of plant proteins, Zero Egg has significantly less impact on the environment compared to ordinary eggs, not to mention our product doesnt harm any animals.

Zero Egg

In the US, the leader in the vegan egg category is JUST Egg, a mung bean-based replacer produced by California company Eat Just. Since its debut in 2019, JUST Eggwhich takes far fewer resources to produce than its animal-derived counterparthas sold the vegan equivalent of 250 million chicken eggs and recently gained approval to expand to the EU where it will continue to disrupt the unsustainable chicken egg industry. To date, Eat Just has also saved 43.6 million kilograms of CO2 emissions, 9.1 billion gallons of water, and 13,446 acres of land with its mung bean-based egg alternative.

New entrants in this category can help move the needle toward replacing eggs with plant-based alternatives that are much kinder to the planet. It takes more than 630 gallons of water to produce one dozen chicken eggs. However, Zero Egg cuts that water usage down by 93 percent for an equivalent amount of its vegan eggs. It also uses 92-percent less land, 93-percent less energy, and emits 59-percent fewer greenhouse gasses when compared to traditional chicken eggs. Think about the impact Zero Egg will have on the planet and on the climate crisis if we replace 10 percent of the one trillion eggs that are produced every yearthis is why we wake up in the morning, Nimrodi said.

Zero Egg

In addition to college campuses, Zero Egg is expanding to other foodservice providers in the New England region and beyond. The vegan egg is now served at Crackd Kitchen & Coffee locations, where it is being used in the Southwest Veggurito and can be ordered as a replacement to eggs in any of the chains current dishes. Additionally, Zero Egg is available at Revival Cafe + Kitchen locations in its vegan breakfast sandwiches for a limited time and will be expanding to the permanent menu starting next month. Revival also provides catering services and offers Zero Egg to a number of high-profile corporate tech offices.

For more about vegan eggs, read:This Vegan Egg Cooks, Tastes, and Cracks Like a Chicken Egg German Startup Develops Vegan Egg From Fava BeansThe Ultimate Guide to Egg, Milk, and Butter Substitutes

Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.

Get FREE vegan recipes delivered to your inbox by signing up for our award-winning VegNews Recipe Club.

Sign Up

Get FREE vegan recipes delivered to your inbox by signing up for our award-winning VegNews Recipe Club.

Sign Up

Continue reading here:

How Vegan Eggs Took Over All the Breakfast Menus at Yale - VegNews

Talk about being a picky eater.

A recent study polling 7,400 vegans and vegetarians from around the world found that more than half of vegans (52%) and four in 10 vegetarians (39%) wouldnt consider a relationship with a meat-eater.

In addition, roughly one in eight vegans (12%) wouldnt even consider dating a vegetarian.

The study was conducted by Veggly, a popular global vegan and vegetarian dating app presumably filled with more peach and eggplant emojis than Tinder.

For many vegans, their veganism is a way life, so its understandable they wouldnt want to be with a partner that consumes animals or animal products, Veggly founder Alex Felipelli explained. Many vegans want to be with someone who shares their values and love of animals.

We believethat if the question was Would you prefer to date a vegan? the result would be close to 100%.

That theory seems to bear fruit, as several other vegan and vegetarian dating apps have also sprung up including Green Singles, Veggie Date and Veggie Connection to cater to the many dining preferences of their users.

Vegetarian diets eliminate meat from a persons plate, while a vegan diet excludes any animal products, including eggs, butter and cheese. A vegan lifestyle can go even further by avoiding all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to animals for food, clothing or any other purpose, according to The Vegan Society.

As the number of people who change their orders from meat-lovers to veggie-lovers grows The Economist claimed veganism was surging back in 2020 so does the number of people looking for someone to share their salad and ethics.

And all of that has the potential to shift ones dating status from In a relationship to Its complicated.

It can be hard for a lot of vegans to have a serious relationship with a meat-eater, Felipelli told the Wall Street Journal last year. It isnt just about food, its about lifestyle.

Limiting your dating pool to only consider fellow vegan or vegetarians may seem as restrictive as the diets, but experts also agree that it could be beneficial.

Judith Gottesman a matchmaker, dating coach and author encourages singles to join dating apps with more focus.

She told The Post that she always advises people to look for similar lifestyles, values, goals and interests when searching for a match.

They really matter most in being compatible, Gottesman said of creating a more fruitful experience. It makes sense: If youre a dedicated and ethical vegan, you probably dont want to spend your life with someone chowing down on animals.

Go here to read the rest:

Majority of vegans will not even consider dating a meat-eater - New York Post

According to Vegan Fashion Week, clothing is considered vegan if it doesn't feature any animal parts, such as real fur or leather. We know what you're thinking: How can you resist buying a glamorous, statement-making fur coat for elegant winter events or an edgy black bomber jacket to wear every day in the fall? Luckily for you, many brands have started selling faux fur and fake leather, feathers that aren't actually from animals, and silky-looking fabrics that were made without harming animals. By investing in vegan clothing, you'll be protecting wildlife while still looking fabulous.

If you're thinking about buying some vegan clothing but don't know where to start, Animal Outlook rounded up some of their favorite companies that sell vegan apparel. Some of these animal-friendly companies include Herbivore, The Dharma Store, Plant Faced Clothing, and even Moo Shoes if you're looking for vegan footwear options. So, which animal-loving company are you going to check out first?

Read the rest here:

What Does It Mean When Clothing Is Vegan? - The List

First came beefy, bleeding vegan burgers. Next, plant-based chicken swooped in as competitors raced to deliver their vegan alternatives to the masses. And now, vegan seafood has entered the chat. From smoked salmon to crispy crab cakes, chewy shrimp, and sushi-grade tuna, the world of vegan seafood is nothing short of a treasure trove. Whether youre already fish-free or seriously contemplating it, here are sixteen vegan seafood products to pile in your cart.

Ocean Hugger Foods

This sushi-grade plant-based seafood company was hit hard by the pandemic. While its raw tomato-based tuna was met with constant praise, the founders decided to temporarily pause production in June 2020 due to the uncertain times. In March of last year, the company announced that it is planning a triumphant return after partnering with a Thailand-based global manufacturer of sustainable foods. Youll have to wait a little longer, but Ocean Hugger products will return to retailers and foodservice businesses. Follow them on Instagram (@oceanhuggerfoods) for the latest updates.Learn more here

Good Catch

From the founders of the popular Wicked Healthy blog and ready-made meal brand, Good Catch has wowed the world with its cooked tuna products. The line of packaged vegan tuna, crabless cakes, and more are available at hundreds of locations across the US and Canada including Whole Foods, Wegmans, Gelsons, and Veggie Grill.Learn more here

New Wave Foods

When replicating animal products, its often the texture that stumps many chefs and innovators. Shrimp was particularly difficult to replicate, until New Wave Foods cracked the code with its algae-based vegan shrimpthe first of its kind. This plant-based shrimp mimics that distinct chew of cooked shrimp perfectly, and the taste is equally on point. The distribution is limited for now, but after closing an $18 million finance round, New Wave is looking to make a splash on restaurant menus.Learn more here

Gardein

Craving something fried? Gardein is a pioneer in the vegan fish sector after gaining a loyal consumer base by sampling its Crabless Cakes at festivals before the pandemic hit. The Fishless Filets and Mini Crabless Cakes are widely available across the US in most major supermarkets and health food stores. Bring on the chips and vegan tartar sauce!Learn more here

All Vegetarian

Not only are these fishy products all vegetarian, but theyre also all vegan, too. This company started out as a wholesale business, selling only to restaurants, but it has since expanded to the retail sector. Look for its perfectly chewy vegan shrimp and shrimp balls at your local vegan grocer or online.Learn more here

BeLeaf

There are a handful of companies making vegan shrimp, but BeLeaf may be the only one mass-producing plant-based ribbon fish (aka salmon steaks). The tender piece of vegan seafood is made with a mix of soybeans, wheat gluten, seaweed, and spices to nail the flaky fish texture and the clean salmon taste. Unlike animal-based salmon, this filet is easy to cook up. Bonus: you dont have to worry about any bones.Learn more here

JINKA

Looking for some major umami to schmear on your bagel? Try JINKAs vegan tuna fish spread. Not quite cream cheese and not quite tuna salad, this smearable, slightly textured tuna works as a dip, spread, filling, and topper. Flavors come in Original, Lemon and Dill, and Spicy. Find it online or at select Bay Area health food stores.Learn more here

Sophies Kitchen

Yes, the vegan seafood is excellent, but were really in love with the tagline: Plant-based seafood thats tasty AF (as fish). This long-standing vegan company makes an assortment of fishy products including breaded shrimp and fish filets, sliced smoked salmon, crab cakes, and canned Toona. If youre looking for plant-based seafood, Sophies is a stellar one-stop-shop.Learn more here

Loma Linda

Whether youre looking for canned or pouched vegan tuna, the Loma Linda brand has you covered. While weve already mentioned a few plant-based tunas on this list, the flavors of this brand are absolute standouts. Tasty varieties include Thai Sweet Chili, Sesame Ginger, Sriracha, Lemon Pepper, and pure Spring Water. Hello, vegan sriracha tuna melt!Learn more here

Cavi-art

Oh, you fancy! Cavi-art has created vegan caviar for the refined and sophisticated palates. These salty umami pearls are made from seaweed, water, salt, spice extracts, and a stabilizer to give them that unique fish egg texturewithout the fish. Like fish eggs, vegan caviar is a rare find in stores, but anyone can purchase a case online at Vegan Essentials. You have to try it at least once!Learn more here

Goldie Lox

Created by a scientist turned chef, this vegan smoked salmon is a must-have for any Sunday brunch spread. These fishless strips are made using organic carrots, dill, salt, and tamari for a smoky flavor perfect for topping on your favorite bagel. Find it in select San Francisco grocers or online.Learn more here

Hungry Planet

Founded to improve human and planetary health, Hungry Planet and its selection of plant-based meats arent to be missed. These chef-crafted alternatives were perfected over a decade-long research and development, and the proof is in the pudding. These crispy, golden crabless cakes are packed with fiber and proetin, and are sure to be a hit with everyone at your kitchen table.Learn more here

Save da Sea Foods

When it comes to seafood staples, this Canada-based brand has you covered. Choose between tuna salad, classic smoked salmon, or smoked salmon with dill and capers. All products are free of gluten and soy, making them allergen friendly too boot.Learn more here

The Plant Based Seafood Co

This women-operated, family-owned company isnt just whipping up vegan fishtheyre wowing us with spice-dusted vegan scallops. Elevate your dinner with a helping of these konjac-based bites (ready in just two minutes!). Dont forget the wine.Learn more here

Vegan Zeastar

Its no surprise this vegan sashimi went viral. These realstic slabs of tuna and salmon sashimi took our collective breath away, and their familiar tastes and textures kept us coming back for more. Dont miss Vegan Zeastars Shrimpz (in Crispy Lemon and Crispy Chili flavors), Kalamariz, and Tasty Cod. Its a vegan seafood extravaganza!Learn more here

Current Foods

Previously known as Kuleana, food technology startup Current Foods is making a splash in the vegan seafood sector. The brands sushi-grade vegan tuna was named one of the best 100 inventions of 2021 by TIME magazine. Free of the top eight allergens, this plant-based tuna is made from a blend of bamboo, potatoes, radish, tomatoes, algae, and peas. The results? Familiar flavors and perfect textures that will make you forget about the real deal.Learn more here

Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.

Get FREE vegan recipes delivered to your inbox by signing up for our award-winning VegNews Recipe Club.

Sign Up

Get FREE vegan recipes delivered to your inbox by signing up for our award-winning VegNews Recipe Club.

Sign Up

Read more here:

16 Vegan Seafood Options That Are Swimming in Flavor - VegNews

Vegan sandwiches at fast-food chains are no longer difficult to come by, but before Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat infiltrated drive-thru culture, vegan restaurants were making their own super-stacked veggie burgers. While vegans and omnivores have raved over the Burger King Impossible Whopper and the Carls Jr. Beyond Famous Star, fast-food aficionados are still patientily waiting for the nationwide launch of McDonalds McPlant. These 17 plant-based burgers prove vegan joints do it best. From Los Angeles to New York City to local gems in between, vegan handholds are putting the Big Mac to shame.

Vurger Guyz

Beloved by Angelenos and Hollywood celebrities, Vurger Guyz cant be missed when in the City of Angels. The food trucks Deluxe Vurger features a plant-based patty slathered in secret Vurger Sauce before its topped high with vegan American cheese, lettuce, raw onions, pickles, tomatoes, and caramelized grilled onions. Make it a double for an extra meaty burger.Learn more here

Montys Good Burger

Coined the Vegan In-N-Out, Montys aptly mimics this Southern California burger chain right down to the secret sauce. This signature sandwich is stacked with two Impossible patties, melty Follow Your Heart cheese, house spread, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and grilled onions on a local bakery artisan bun. Pair with a side of crispy-yet-tender fries and a strawberry shake.Learn More here

@frankybananas/Instagram

In full transparency, the size of this burger is a bit underwhelming. However, for what it lacks in volume, it makes up in flavor. Made with a beefy vegetable-based patty and topped with caramelized onions, sauted mushrooms, and truffle aioli on a flax seed bun, this handheld from Freesoulcaffe is the most gourmet burger on our list.Learn More here

Burgerlords

This veg-friendly mainstays newly revampedand now entirely plant-basedmenu is cause for celebration. Opt for the signature Burgerlords Cheeseburger featuring a housemade patty and topped with Follow Your Heart cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and Burgerlords signature 2,000 Island sauce. Pair your handheld with a side of animal-style Lord of the Fries and a tahini milkshake for true bliss.Learn More here

@blackfoodiefinder/Instagram

What began as a local food truck has become a popular vegan microchain in Georgia. Each menu item is a solid choice, but if youre looking for a McDonalds replica, the Slutty Vegans Fussy Hussy is where its at. Dive into a plant-based patty topped with vegan cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and Slut Sauce. What makes this burger even better than the Big Mac? It comes sandwiched between two vegan Hawaiian buns. Pinky Cole, youre making our dreams come true!Learn More here

@christineelisemccarthy/Instagram

You have to ask for the secret menu to order this Big Mac copycat at LAs Doomies Home Cookin. Piled high with two vegan patties and three bunsin addition to all the standard Big Mac toppingsone would never guess this burger didnt come through the drive-thru.Learn More here

Next Level Burger

With locations in California, Oregon, Washington, New York, and Texas, Next Level Burger is redefining fast food one state at a time. Many of its eleven locations can be found in Whole Foods Markets. Skip the hot bar and head to the Next Level register to order The Maverick made with a house-seasoned Beyond patty slathered with special sauce, your choice of vegan cheese, crispy onion rings, tempeh bacon, smoky barbecue sauce, dill pickles, lettuce, and tomato between an organic wheat bun.Learn More here

Green New American Vegetarian

Phoenixs favorite casual vegan eatery, Green New American Vegetarian, has a burger on its menu to rival all other fast-food contendersthe Big WAC. Theres nothing fancy about itjust a double patty served with special sauce, pickles, cheese, lettuce, and onions on a traditional sesame seed bunbut this sandwich is perfect in its simplicity.Learn More here

Modern Love

Rest assured, none of the ingredients in the Modern Love Cheeseburger are commercially produced. Bite into this scratch-made bad boy made with a seitan bean patty, cashew cheddar, tomato, lettuce, red onion, pickles, and fancy sauce and youre on your way to burger bliss.Learn More here

J Selbys

J Selbys is a solid contributor to Minneapolis burgeoning vegan food scene. Known for its plant-based renditions of fast-food, bar, and diner dishes, you can bet the menu includes a stellar Big Mac-style burger. The kitchen relies on two beefy vegan patties to mimic this McDonalds icon.Learn More here

HipCityVeg

You cant go wrong at HipCityVeg. The fan-favorite Smokehouse Burger is sure to satisfy even the biggest cravings. Made with a Beyond Meat patty and topped with crispy onions, tangy barbecue sauce, and smoked gouda, pair this veg handheld with sweet potato fries and a chocolate milkshake for a meal you wont soon forget.Learn More here

Veggie Galaxy

Veggie Galaxy grabbed the attention of Food Network star Guy Fierri and was featured on the popular Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives primetime show. While the menu offers several standout burgers to choose from, the one that most resembles the Big Mac is the Kendall Square. Made with a sweet potato and black bean burger, roasted red pepper sauce, onion rings, roasted garlic mayo, and baby arugula, this sandwich beats anything weve ordered from a drive-thru window.Learn More here

Munchies Diner

Orange County, CA isnt necessarily known for its diner culture, but Munchies has recently put the beachside region on the map. The menu is bursting with over-the-top diner-style indulgences, including the Cheeseburger Deluxea house patty burger coated in melted American cheese and stacked high with lettuce, pickles, onions, G sauce, and tomatoes, all sandwiched between toasted sesame seed buns. If you have room, add a VcFlurry for an added touch of sweet nostalgia.Learn more here

Veggie Grill

Veg chain and safe haven Veggie Grill has been slinging plant-based favorites since 2006. The simple VG Classic is a cant miss. Order this Beyond patty topped with lettuce, tomato, American cheese, and special sauce for a Big Mac taste thats better than the Mickey Ds original.Learn More here

Vegenation

Representative of its hometown, this burger is nothing short of extra. Vegenations southern spin on the Big Mac features a vegan patty topped with mac and cheese, collard greens, barbecue sauce, cole slaw, and secret burger sauce. It comes with fries, but the loaded sweet potato tots should not be ignored.Learn More here

Plant Power Fast Food

This vegan fast-food chain is giving Mickey Ds a run for its money. In this signature burger, a beefy vegan patty is topped with secret burger sauce, American cheese, lettuce, grilled onions, and pickles for an epic handle thatll have you saying, Big Mac, who?! Complete your order with a creamy milkshake, and youve got yourself an unparalleled burger experience.LEARN More here

Honeybee

This quickly expanding plant-based burger chain does the classics right. Made with the customers choice of Beyond or Impossible beef, this double-stacked handhold comes with double meat, double cheese, and just the right ratio of lettuce, tomato, thinly sliced onions, pickles, and housemade onion jam. Youll need to really squish down the sesame seed bun to fit this sandwich into your mouth.Learn more here

For ever more vegan burgers and sandwiches, read:22 Vegan Fried Chicken Sandwiches9 Vegan Fast-Food HacksThe 36 Best Vegan Sandwiches

Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.

Get FREE vegan recipes delivered to your inbox by signing up for our award-winning VegNews Recipe Club.

Sign Up

Get FREE vegan recipes delivered to your inbox by signing up for our award-winning VegNews Recipe Club.

Sign Up

Go here to read the rest:

17 Juicy Vegan Burgers That Are Way Better Than the Big Mac - VegNews

This fall, vegan burger chain Neat Burger will open its first United States location in Manhattan in New York City. Founded in 2019 with help from world champion race car driver Lewis Hamilton, the shop serves typical fast-food fare made vegan, including plant-based cheese burgers, chicken burgers, hot dogs, tater tots, ice cream, and milkshakes, along with kids meals. The opening will come after a pop-up in midtown Manhattan this month which will introduce New Yorkers to the United Kingdom-based brand Neat Food Co (NEAT)which encompasses both the burger concept and a retail brand that will also expand stateside.

Neat Burger

NEAT is embarking on its expansion to the US with key hires who will help the vegan burger chain and plant-based meat business get its foothold stateside. At the helm of this expansion is Vincent Herbert, the former CEO of Le Pain Quotidien, who joins the brand as Chief Executive of Neat Burger USA. Additionally, Jeffrey S. Fried (former Chairman of Sweetgreen) and Henrik Fjordbak (former COO at Joe & The Juice) join the brands advisory board to propel it forward in achieving its earth-saving mission.

We are on a mission to fundamentally change how the world consumes protein and are excited to announce these new appointments whose expertise will make a real impact, Zack Bishti, co-founder and CEO of Neat Burger, said in a statement. With Jeff and Henriks success in nurturing industry-leading brands, and Vincents prowess in delivering global expansion, we have a powerhouse team primed for explosive entry into new markets; to shift consumer behavior and be a force for good.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton went vegan in 2017 and uses his immense fame to promote animal-rights and social justice issues, often taking to social media to urge fans to go vegan. Hamilton also puts his money where his mouth is by investing in vegan businesses, including The Not Companya Chilean vegan startup that raised $235 million in funding last year with help from Hamilton and musical artist Questlove.

In 2019, Hamiltons investment in NEATcreated in collaboration with hospitality group The Cream Group and Beyond Meat investor Tommaso Chiabaraprovided the company with key funding to get it off the ground.Neat Burger opened its flagship location in Central London in 2019 before expanding to second and third locations in the Camden and Soho neighborhoods, respectively. The brand grew quickly and last year, after securing an additional $7 million in a funding round led by SoftBanks Rajeev Misra, announced massive expansion plans that bring more locations to its domestic marketincluding through 20 ghost kitchensand take it global, starting with the US.

Neat Burger

By 2030, NEAT plans to expand to 1,000 corporately owned, franchise, and dark kitchens. It is also working to bring next-level plant-based meat alternatives made with wholesome ingredientssuch as its grain mix of quinoa, chickpea, and mung beansto the retail sector.

By 2040 we see a world where alternative proteins have replaced animal proteins completely, Chiabra said in a statement. NEAT is leading the charge in the development of these alternatives that not only satisfy the needs of conscious consumers, but that also deliver on flavor. Were here to prove that the easiest choice can also be the best choice for the planet.

Neat Burgers expansion to the US comes at a time when homegrown vegan fast-food chains begin their own expansions to serve an increasing demand for plant-based foodsa market that a recent artificial intelligence-driven report by Tastewise estimated to be worth $74 billion by 2027.

Vegan chain PLNT Burgerowned by celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fameopened its first NYC location in the Union Square neighborhood earlier this year and expanded to Boston this week. Canadas Odd Burgerthe first publicly traded vegan fast-food chainis also eyeing an NYC location with plans to operate 50 North American locations by 2029.

Plant Power Fast Food

On the West Coast, San Diegos Plant Power Fast Food is expanding up the coast with new locations in Los Angeles, Fountain Valley, and Sacramento, along with its first out-of-state location in Las Vegas, NV. Oregons organic vegan fast-food pioneer Next Level Burger is also in the midst of a multi-state expansion, with a Denver, CO opening planned this summer.

And traditional fast-food giants are not sitting idly by, with McDonalds working with Beyond Meat to develop plant-based options globally through its McPlant platform; Burger King testing meatless pop-up locations in Europe; and KFC launching vegan chicken in multiple countries.

For more about vegan fast food, read: Burger King Is First Major Fast-food Chain To Serve Vegan Impossible Nuggets Fatburgers CEO on the Future of Vegan Fast Food Vegan Fast-Food Chains Spread Nationwide. Can McDonalds Keep Up?

Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.

Get FREE vegan recipes delivered to your inbox by signing up for our award-winning VegNews Recipe Club.

Sign Up

Get FREE vegan recipes delivered to your inbox by signing up for our award-winning VegNews Recipe Club.

Sign Up

Originally posted here:

Lewis Hamilton's Neat Burger Expands to US with Fast-Food Shops and Vegan Meats - VegNews

Vegan Puerto Rican food? Yes, please! Popular Oakland-based pop-up Casa Borinquea has plans to open its first brick-and-mortar location this summer.

Casa Borinquea is a vegan Puerto Rican pop-up and has plans to become the first vegan Puerto Rican restaurant in the country when it opens the doors to its first restaurant location this summer.

The brand is currently in the process of raising funds and building out the kitchen of their new space, which is located at 6211 Shattuck Ave, Oakland, CA 94601. The opening date is set for late June, and Casa Borinquea plans to be open from 12-8pm seven days a week.

Casa Borinquea currently offers three flavors of pastelillos (Puerto Rican empanadas): chicken, beef, and pork, and has plans to offer more flavors when the restaurant opens.

Casa Borinquea is a family business that was started by Chef Lulu and her family in 2018. Operating as a pop-up, the brand provided Puerto Rican empanadas to the community out of the kitchen of Brix 581 in Oakland.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Chef Lulu decided to change her diet for health and ethical reasons and began experimenting with vegan food in the kitchen. Wanting her business to reflect her beliefs, she removed all animal products from the menu at Casa Borinquea, transforming it into a completely vegan company.

Now, Chef Lulus focus is to provide good food that is approachable to both vegans and omnivores and encourage healthy eating habits in the local community. Casa Borinquea will also be implementing a pay what you can policy on Tuesdays to further increase the accessibility of vegan food in the community. Anyone will be able to get a meal for however much they can pay, something that Chef Lulu knows is incredibly invaluable from her own time as a homeless teen.

For more information about Casa Borinquea, give them a follow on Instagram at @casaborinquena or visit their GoFundMe page here.

More:

Vegan Puerto Rican Restaurant to Open in Oakland This Summer - VegOut Magazine

Just a decade ago, Melisa Hasanspahi from the eastern Bosnian town of Gorade could not have imagined that today she would be running a food production business based on a recipe she inherited from her mother. However, her life changed when she started selling jars of her homemade ajvar, a widely popular vegetable delicacy, which she had previously only gifted to her loved ones.

"I love ajvar; I've always adored it," said Hasanspahi, now a food entrepreneur, whom family, friends and customers jokingly refer to as "Lady Ajvar".

The orange spread, based on roasted red peppers, is not only adored by Hasanspahi but also by the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire Balkan region where other "Ladies Ajvar" like her give away or sell homemade ajvar in their communities.

But while Hasanspahi uses red peppers and aubergine to make it, some argue that "real" ajvar should only consist of four ingredients: red pepper, oil, salt and vinegar.

Recipes, however, depend on the region and the cook. Some, for instance, require the addition of garlic, others red onions, carrots and tomatoes. Some do not mention vinegar but suggest adding sugar. And many differ on whether the vegetables should be roasted, baked, boiled or even ground fresh. Whether the ajvar will have a sweet or spicy taste depends on the type of pepper used.

In the first known published ajvar recipe, found in the Great Serbian Cookbook from the 19th Century, author Katarina Popovi mentions both peppers and aubergine. Yet, Serbians usually make ajvar only from red peppers, while citizens of North Macedonia are typically the ones who also use aubergine.

See original here:

Ajvar: The vegan 'caviar' of the Balkans - BBC.com

If you have ever been to France, you know that French cuisine is everything but vegan. The French do love their meat, fish, cheese, crme, milk and butter. Open a French cookbook to see for yourself! And they are very proud of their world-renowned gastronomic excellence. Sois being vegan in France totally impossible?

First, let us define the word. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, veganism is the practice of not eating or using any animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, or leather: Strict veganism prohibits the use of all animal products, not just food, and is a lifestyle choice rather than a diet.

There are many reasons why someone would want to embrace this lifestyle:

First,the animals: Animals, like humans, are sentient beings, experiencing fear, stress and suffering. An estimated 69 billion chickens; 1.5 billion pigs; 656 million turkeys; 574 million sheep; 479 million goats; and 302 million cattle were killed for meat production worldwide in 2018.

Second, the planet: The production of meat has important environmental impacts. For example, twenty livestock companies are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than either Germany, Britain or France. Raising livestock also has massive impacts on land and water use.

Finally,health reasons: A recent study led by Casey Rebholz, an assistant professor at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, involved 48,000 people over 18 years. The study compared the health of meat-eaters, pescatarians, who eat fish and dairy but not meat, and vegetarians, including some vegans.What they found was that people with a vegan and vegetarian diet have a lower risk of heart disease, though a higher risk of stroke, possibly partly due to a lack of B12. The study author said they found a striking relationship between adherence to dietary patterns and risk of important clinical outcomes.

So whatever the intention, what is it like, being vegan in France?

In 2020, Deliveroo conducted a survey among the French to find out whether veganism was a mainstream trend or reserved for a niche target. In France, in just one year, the number of vegan restaurants on the meal delivery app has increased by 68% and 12% of French people surveyed stated they would like to go vegan, motivated above all by protecting animal life (62%), the environment (54%) and health (50%).

The study also revealed that the summer period seems to be more conducive to the vegan trend, with the months of July and August seeing a peak in vegan orders in Frances major cities. Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg topped the list of cities ordering the most vegan food.

However, the survey revealed that France is slower to adopt this way of life, far behind the Anglo-Saxon countries, due to a lack of knowledge of the movement: 53% of the French people questioned do not associate veganism with its true definition. Furthermore, 64% see veganism as simply a trend and 32% see it as a diet that is too restrictive on a daily basis.71% of those surveyed said they felt judged when they ordered a vegan dish in restaurants.

And, it should be noted, there is still a strong attachment to meat in France, since 51% of those surveyed mentioned their love for meat and dairy as the main reason for not turning to veganism.

But an earlier survey, conducted in 2017 by the marketing and opinion research institute Harris Interactive, found a little more hope for veganism. According to that study, at that time, 5% of French people were vegetarians or vegan. Thats not a lot, but according to a 2017 Ifop/Lesieur survey for OCPOP, 41% of French people said they had increased their consumption of plant-based products and 50% wanted to see it increase further. The same year, an IFOP/WWF survey reported that 67% of French people said they were ready to reduce their consumption of animal proteins in favor of better quality products.

These figures show that veganism is slowly making its way in France and amongst the French, though it still remains a minority of people, concentrated in big cities. And it still can be difficult. For instance, Lison, 33, says,I live in Obernai, Alsace, and it is really difficult being vegan in such a small city. To eat meat and animal-based food is really something cultural where I am from, and I find it hard finding plant-based alternatives in my local supermarket. What is even more difficult is the lack of choice in restaurants, I think we are really lagging behind in France!

But Mathieu who is 45 and has been vegan for 10 years says, I live in Toulouse but I am a musician so I travel a lot. To me it hasnt been that hard. I think that by communicating openly we can get people to acknowledge our standpoint. I think that it is more difficult in the countryside than in big cities to find vegan options, but I think it will be more accepted over time, especially with the climate crisis going on. We definitely have to change the way we live and consume if we want a future that is sustainable!

Camille Bourron lives in Paris and is a political science and social policy graduate, having studied at La Sorbonne and the LSE. She is passionate about politics, culture, art and travel.

Read the original:

Can You Eat Vegan in France, Land of Lardons and Fromage? - Frenchly

When it comes to traditional recipes, purists may scorn substitutions or innovations. But for vegan cook and TikToker Alyssa Switzer thats part of the fun.

Switzer started eating a more plant-based diet in 2014, but she still wanted to maintain the Caribbean flavours that speak to her heart and her taste buds.

Thats what I grew up on, she told the Star.

Her feed @PlantifulAlyssa is filled with seconds-long tutorials of vegan dishes so colourful it may scramble your phone pixels. And much of it has a Caribbean flair.

Shes found vegan substitutes for meat-based staples, such as a meatless oxtail using jackfruit. And she pulls classic Caribbean foods like ackee and callaloo outside of what is traditional to make tacos, dips and galettes.

You kind of get forced to be creative, Switzer told the Star.

The canvas for some of her most innovative creations: breadfruit. Its a starchy fruit that is typically roasted and sliced in the Caribbean and is part of the national dish of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the island Switzers mom is from.

She subbed diced breadfruit for potatoes, taking advantage of its starchy consistency, and made an island-inspired breadfruit salad in one TikTok video.

In another, she turned thin slices into taco shells and stuffed them with ackee.

And the recipe shes most proud of is her creamy breadfruit split pea soup, seasoned with coconut cream, thyme, allspice and scotch bonnet.

But when she shares vegan alternatives for things like oxtail, saltfish and fritters, shes been met with both praise and ire in the comments.

Its so traditional to eat traditional West Indian foods without altering in any way, Switzer said If people hear like, oh, vegan oxtail, (they say) what are you talking about?

But the raised eyebrows make her want to show these plant-based takes even more.

Theres so much varieties of fruits and vegetables you can eat, and theyre cultural and theyre good, she said. You dont have to be stuck in a certain way or a certain mindset on how to eat.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free)

Sign In

Register

Here is the original post:

Breadfruit tacos? Meatless oxtail? This vegan Toronto TikToker puts innovative spin on her favourite Caribbean foods - Toronto Star