This is why the vegan diet is so popular in the city of Kent
Social media and the growth of online influencers, awareness around farming practices, and the health benefits of a plant-based diet have all been key in the growth of veganism.
CHRIS BRITCHER: ‘When Greggs unveiled a vegan sausage roll in January of this year it created a stampede which took even it by surprise. Not only did it contribute to a remarkable 58% rise in its profits for the first half of 2019, it pointed out to the nation that ‘going vegan’ was now not only relatively easy, but was firmly established as a mainstream dietary – and, by its very nature, ethical – choice. A diet and lifestyle once thought extreme has helped fuel one of the biggest consumer growth points, with restaurants, fast food outlets and supermarkets all jumping on the bandwagon. And, according to the Vegan Society, by 2025, a quarter of us will be either vegan or vegetarian.
So just what is driving this sea change in the way we view animal products? “I can’t say I’m surprised because the vegan logic is extremely strong,” explains Adrian Ling, a man described as the ‘Vegan Willy Wonka’. He is head of Folkestone-based Plamil, a company which, back in the 1960s, delivered the first commercially available soya milk – a staple for vegans ever since – and has since specialised only in vegan-friendly products ranging from chocolate to mayonnaise… A vegan all his life, he adds: “I describe it as an important and intrinsic part of sustainability. “As we move forward it forms a very strong part of that issue and contributes to solving many of the problems.”
Mr Ling acknowledges there are environment issues related to some vegan food production, but its current popularity is being carried on a wave of more sustainable food production… His father, founder of the firm (Plamil takes its name from its original product – Plant Milk), was Arthur Ling, a man who was “vegan before the word was coined” back in 1926 when he saw a fish being hit over the head while on holiday as a child and vowed to himself never to eat flesh again. Indeed, Mr Ling senior was one of the founding fathers of what became the Vegan Society.
But it is one of the most modern inventions, his son believes, which has changed the landscape. “What has helped is social media,” he explains. “Once a certain cohort of people, start to follow a vegan diet generally others think along the same lines. “More products become available and its accessibility is also greatly improved… Maria Chiorando, a former Kent journalist and now editor of Plant Based News – a website which attracts some 23 million visitors a month worldwide – agrees that the ease of access to information is fuelling the boom.
She says: “Social media, and the internet in general, have been key in the growth of veganism in the way they democratise the sharing of information. “A key factor is the general public’s growing awareness around the devastating impact animal farming has on the planet… “Growing awareness around farming practices, the growth of online ‘influencers’, and interest in the health benefits of a plant-based diet are all factors too – as well as initiatives like Veganuary, which encourages people to try a vegan diet throughout January”.’ SOURCE…
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