Vegan Mainstream

How Is Your Vegan Business Eco-friendly? Prove It to Your Consumers.

MarinaHanes — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:00:04 +0000

Even though your business sells vegan products, it doesn’t excuse you from going green in other ways. The environmental effects of veganism can positively affect your company, and it’s wise to take this impact to the next level. If you really want to impress your consumers, you have to go above and beyond to show your business’s commitment to the environment. So how do you begin to wow them and prove that you’re environmentally responsible in more ways that one?

The vegan lifestyle takes a holistic approach to green living and it’s best if your vegan business reflects the efforts of your customers. Maybe you have already put certain green policies in place, but do your customers know about them? Show the progress you are making with your green goals and share the results of your efforts – it’s a great way to promote yourself.

In addition to selling items that don’t exploit animals and support factory farming, you can become eco-friendly in your business’s daily activities too. For example, start recycling if you haven’t already and encourage your customers to do the same while they’re perusing your store. The more you show that your company respects and honors the environment, the more your customers will show respect for you and what you have to offer.

Another way to go green includes reducing your waste by going paperless. If you have been sending newsletters, coupons or flyers in the mail to customers, let them know that you will be sending them via email. An even better way to get the community’s attention is to volunteer your company’s time to a local cause such as picking up litter at the local park. Not only will you be getting your business name and image out there, you will encourage others to do their part.

Taking some time to assess where your vegan business can be more eco-friendly is effective for the environment as well as your profits. Plus, you will look more like a vegan professional, and vegan consumers feel good about buying products from places that are ethical, moral and pro-active in vegan causes.

Watch tomorrow’s posting for more ideas on how to make your company more earth-friendly.

Forks over Knives: A Groundbreaking Mainstream Documentary on the Merits of Becoming Vegan

arvinrazon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:00:53 +0000

The trailer of Forks over Knives raises the most startling questions: What if we can cure sickness without medicine? What if our nations’ health crises could be solved? It then provides what it calls a “solution so overlooked that no one is taking it seriously”—becoming vegan. Almost a month after its release, the video has received more than 20,000 views and hundreds of comments from different websites.

That’s not a big surprise at all. In the recent past several documentaries have flagged the dangers of the foods humans are consuming on a regular basis. That includes fast foods in the movie Supersize Me and environmentally healthy and industrially processed foods in Food, Inc. While these documentaries raised social awareness about the hazards of the food we’re eating, they don’t provide many answers about what we should be eating instead. Forks over Knives is the missing link providing that message.

The movie documents the investigations of Dr. Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn as they prove how adopting a whole-foods, vegan diet can prevent the “diseases of affluence”—diseases that are present in societies or families whose members consume heavy proportions of meat and processed food. These are the same kinds of diseases that are virtually unknown in countries where meat is not as heavily consumed.

The claims of Dr. Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn—that becoming vegan can prevent cases of diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and other degenerative diseases—will without a doubt draw the attention of an entire country reeling from the effects of unhealthy eating habits, and obsessed with the issue of healthcare. After all, the movie explores the biggest “what-if”: What if people don’t have to have the health problems they are trying to make the government accountable for?

For long-time vegans, the ideas this documentary puts forward aren’t exactly groundbreaking news – primarily that eating a balanced, vegan diet is the healthiest way a human can eat. However, for millions of people who have yet to understand what veganism is all about, this movie will prove groundbreaking.

Why Vegan Businesses Should Not Jump on the Eco Bandwagon

Britty H. — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:38 +0000

If you own a vegan business, you know it’s not always smart to indulge in trends. In the last couple of years, companies have popped up around the country touting business models that have a lower environmental impact. A vegan diet, in-and-of-itself, is way more environmentally friendly than the average meat-inclusive western diet, as studies show. Even when compared to local diets, vegan diets have been shown to have a smaller impact (though some locavores would dispute this).

I’ve known a vegan or two to stray from an ethical vegan diet to a more local diet (which includes some animal products) because they feel the environmental footprint of outsourcing vegan products is greater than eating non-vegan foods from local sources. Of course, the principle of switching to a diet that includes animal products is not agreeable to many vegans. Whichever side of the argument you take, as someone who believes you cannot be an ethical vegan for health or environmental purposes alone, I am almost disgusted at the marketing ploy that environmentalism has become.

Chains like In-N-Out and Elevation Burger have sprouted locations all over the United States, touting their recycling programs, corn knives, forks and organic beef. Almost obscenely, they profit from the death of thousands of animals, tugging on the heart-strings of those sympathetic to the plight of the environment.

Not all vegans are environmentalists and not all environmentalists genuinely care about the environment. If they did, more would at least attempt vegetarianism. I don’t know many vegans, including myself, who don’t have a huge pile of reusable cloth grocery bags and Seventh Generation laundry detergent, so it doesn’t surprise me that many vegans are also concerned about their carbon footprint. The opinion that a vegan business should also show it cares about its environmental impact is a valid one, but being vegan in the first place, it is already on its way.

What upsets me more than anything are the companies sprouting up in my own town and around the country who jump on the environmental bandwagon and hope to make a buck by selling mediocre beef products at triple the price of a McDonald’s hamburger. Not only are they making it easier for people to justify eating cows, they are profiting tremendously from a movement based on compassion: hardly a way to show compassion!

As people thriving on a vegan diet, we can show that we don’t have to kill to be fed – and that we don’t have to source food crops like corn to make our forks and knives in order to justify an $8.00 burger. In my opinion, a true vegan business has a much more positive impact (for the animals and the environment) than businesses who disguise themselves as caring about the same things as consumers who support their 0-trans fat, grass-fed indulgence.

Photo Credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/917290

Top 10 Pioneers for Vegan Business and the Environment

Robin Raven — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:57 +0000

When it comes to vegan business and the environment, there are certain companies and organizations that have acted as trail blazers. These innovative groups stand out when you look at the many aspects of veganism, business and the environment:

1) The Vegetarian Society is a long-time leader for vegetarianism and vegan awareness. It was formed in 1847, and as it has evolved it has worked to help veganize – and subsequently support – businesses with “Veggie Approved” status. This helped set the example for vegan groups and a standard for vegan-certified status. A focus for the society is to encourage people to see the positive effects of vegetarian choices on the environment.

2) Amy’s Kitchen provided the first line of convenient vegetarian frozen dinners in the U.S.A. Their products are very vegan-friendly, and the company specifically labels vegan items. By volunteering to do this in consideration for its ethically inclined customer base, this vegan business set an example – and set the bar for catering to vegan customers now and in the future. Although it specializes in convenience foods, Amy’s Kitchen places a premium on using organic ingredients and considering the environment.

3) Real Food Daily is a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles. Using primarily organic ingredients and providing a zen environment, its success (in two locations) sets an example of how an environmentally conscious, vegan restaurant can compete with the best restaurants out there. Real Food Daily focuses on helping the environment in many ways, from the food they serve to innovative take-out policies.

4) Whether you love PETA or not, it’s undeniable that they have made huge strides in connecting vegan businesses to a strong vegan base through the business partnerships on their website and PETA mall.

5) The World Vegan Business Directory helps connect travel and hospitality businesses to vegan travelers all over the world. Travelers can check it before they set out on a trip and use it to plan where to stay and go in their destination city. The directory encourages businesses to become more aware of the vegan customer base and consider vegans in future business decisions.

6) Ever since the first Tofurky roast was introduced in 1995, they have been helping to include meat alternatives in the language of pop culture. Watch any Thanksgiving-themed episode of a sitcom, and it’s likely to come up. The brand Tofurky provides vegetarians and vegans a way to survive Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, and it also helps to expose non-vegetarians and non-vegans to the idea of delicious meat substitutions. Tofurky showed that there was a market for meat substitutions, and inspired many other companies to come up with new vegan products.

7) The Vegan Society is a positive organization that enlightens people about the joys of making vegan choices. It can help a vegetarian make the change to vegan. It has a well-established trademarked logo, which it allows businesses to use when their products live up to established and regulated standards. It also sells vegan products directly. Its action for a vegan world and the environment continue to evolve and progress.

Tom’s of Maine produces vegan personal products that are made with great regard for the environment. It produces toothpaste, mouthwash and many other hygiene products. The recycled packaging and ethical standards set a high bar for competitors to reach.

9) Seventh Generation, Inc. provides a line of recycled products that are naturally vegan and recycled. The idea of the company was to consider the next seven generations in all its choices, and to pass that awareness on to the consumer when he/she makes a purchase through the company. Seventh Generation offers all kinds of paper products, from toilet tissue to diapers, and cleansers and detergents that are never tested on animals. They set a great example with their success.

10) Moo Shoes in New York City is a shoe store than only sells vegan shoes and vegan products. Almost all vegans know the challenge of shoe shopping in a regular store – often, IF there are vegan shoes, they are made in a country known for rampant human rights abuses. Moo Shoes has had success since it opened its doors several years ago, and it shows that a shoe store can be vegan and successful.

Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Going Vegetarian: No Factory Farming Means Better Business and a Better World [image]

Carolina Villamayor — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:00:54 +0000

What would happen if the whole world started going vegetarian? This week Vegan Mainstream will explore the environmental effects of veganism, and how these effects can impact businesses. For example, factory farming has evolved because of the perceived need for great quantities of “cheap” meat products. But what is the real cost of this abhorrent practice? How can a vocal stand against factory farming help your vegan business? Share your thoughts, ideas and experiences on this topic…

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Consumer Perspective: Vegan products of little concern to “locavore” consumers

Stephen Bollich — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:00:13 +0000

Today’s typical conscientious consumer cares less about finding cruelty-free vegan products and more about buying local. If this consumer’s goods come from nearby, he/she can throw other moral concerns out the window, basking in the glow of an “End of Suburbia,” anti-Wal-Mart disposition.

As a vegan, I find little reason to consider how much distance lies between the starting place of a product and my home, but I have every reason to worry about whether my purchase harms animals.

In reality, local producers who profit from the sale of animal-based goods are more problematic than similarly malfeasant companies based outside my community. When I see grass-fed beef and cage-free eggs sold at a nearby farmer’s market, it means I have neighbors, people who I might pass in the street, who incarcerate and murder non-human animals. When I take the shortcut through the animal cemetery to get to the faux lunchmeats and other similar vegan products at Whole Foods, the carcasses of humane-certified, grass-fed cows raised and slaughtered in Central Texas do not look any less dead to me than the ones from conventionally raised corn-fed cows in Canada.

When it comes to these local-obsessed consumers among us, they do not stop at food when it comes to feeding their fetish. They also cannot seem to get enough locally produced arts and crafts like jewelry, belts, wallets and other accessories. Many local artisans use silk, wool, leather, fur and other animal products to manufacture their wares. Major chains that sell similar goods made in China, Mexico and other foreign countries tend to have a wider selection with less quality and lower prices. Lower quality also tends to lend itself to more vegan-friendly, as it is more expensive to make products from the remains of noble beasts than from synthetic, widely available materials. Still, these “locavores” usually prefer their “genuine” leather and “natural” silk.

To offer a recommendation, vegans should work to protest unfriendly venues that cater to “localists” and make it clear that we are not vegan because we oppose factory farms. Exploitation is exploitation, and we as vegans do not quietly appreciate small-scale cruelty as a lesser evil. These local exploiters are not our friends and if they cannot offer us vegan products, we have no reason to appreciate them. We are better than this.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=download&id=264674

Feature Interview: Dylan Mandel of The Lives of Famous Men on Becoming Vegan [Video]

MarinaHanes — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:00:01 +0000

Approximately one month ago, Jordana Reim of Planet Verge challenged Dylan Mandel of The Lives of Famous Men to go vegan for 30 days. Becoming vegan has its ups and downs, but if a drummer traveling on the road with his band can do it, this lifestyle change might not be too hard after all. Mandel had some insightful advice for businesses as well as people interested in going vegan.

Vegan Mainstream: What has been the hardest part for you of being on a vegan diet?

Dylan Mandel: Well, there’s a couple different things that I found a little challenging to overcome. For the most part, it’s been actually real easy because for the first part of it I had Jordana in town, and she was showing me the ropes. I think breaking it to my family…it wasn’t a big deal, but they’re just not really informed and they don’t really know much about it. They think I’m not going to be very healthy, you know the cliché. But I’m actually even more healthy than I’ve ever been right now.

It’s definitely trickier on the road than at home, because you basically eat at gas stations or fast food. Before I left, I had to do a lot of research on different places to see what they had as far as vegan options. Another facet to that is I…can’t just be eating pretzels or potato chips. I have to make sure I’m getting veggies and fruit, and make sure I’m getting my vitamins somehow. I’d probably say that’s the hardest part so far - ensuring that I’m getting a sufficient amount of what I need everyday while I’m on the road.

VM: If you could request anything from businesses such as gas stations that don’t necessarily specialize in vegan products, what would you ask them to improve or change?

DM: I’d say that they could maybe have like a better spread of fresh fruits and veggies. ‘Cause usually when you go to a gas station, they’ll have apples or bananas kinda chillin’ there in a basket, but they look kind of gross like they’ve been there for a while. Actually in the Midwest, gas stations are pretty cool about that. They do have a nice spread of veggies and fruits, but it’s unfortunate because it’s not everywhere.

It would be really cool if gas stations carried little boxes of soy, almond or rice milk. I have a bag full of dried food that I bring – like cereal and oatmeal and stuff - and I’m stuck just eating my cereal, just dry. There’s not a mini fridge or anything, so I can’t bring my almond milk from home.

VM: Do you think you will continue to be vegan in the future?

DM: I think I’m actually going to keep going for a while, honestly. There’s something to be said about how I feel. I inadvertently lost a bunch of weight, but that wasn’t really what I was planning on happening. My skin feels smoother. I smell better. I feel lighter. The biggest thing I noticed is my attitude toward things. I just feel better…I don’t know, it’s hard to describe. I wasn’t expecting anything like it, but I’m mentally sound. I guess I just feel too good to go back to eating dairy and animals.

VM: Were you able to find vegan goods at stores that didn’t necessarily focus on these types of items?

DM: When we’re eating on the road sometimes we’ll go to grocery stores and there’s tons of stuff I can eat at grocery stores. But a great place to go is Subway. You just get a veggie sub on, I think wheat bread is the only vegan-friendly bread that they have. So I just get a full-on veggie on wheat and I mean it’s awesome because it’s cheap and you’re getting a nice selection of vegetables.

VM: In your opinion, do you think it’s more environmentally beneficial for people to eat local foods or to go all-out vegan?

DM: Obviously, eating locally is going to be the best option for a meat eater, and it’s also just really good for the community. I’m trying to think…you know what? I’d have to say a vegan diet, honestly. Think about it…I mean if everybody in the world was vegan, you’re pretty much eliminating all of the slaughter houses, which are emitting the two highest greenhouse gases: methane and carbon dioxide.

VM: What advice can you offer to people interested in becoming vegan?

DM: I’ve found the coolest part about the whole thing was that it kinda takes you out of the familiar and it puts you into an unfamiliar setting, forcing yourself to try different things and venture out, and you have to put some legwork into it. I think there’s something to be said about people who search for the unknown, and I definitely feel that I’ve grown as a person…not just from the diet…I feel like my attitude toward other people, my willingness to try new things all together…I’m more sociable. If I had any advice, I’d say try it, go for it.

Overall, Mandel’s experience becoming vegan has been a positive one. While on the road, a vegan diet might be more of a challenge, but there are stores that provide vegan options. Even if you’re an individual thinking of trying a vegan lifestyle or a entrepreneur considering vegan products, Mandel’s advice applies, “Do a lot of research, figure it out, set a goal and go for it. I mean just go for it. Even if it’s not for you, there’s a certain level of accomplishment for stepping out of the boundary and trying something new.”

Promote Your Vegan Products to Gain Local Buyers

MarinaHanes — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:00:36 +0000

When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, it’s a well known fact that one step you can take is to become a locavore (one who eats locally grown foods). However, in 2008, the findings of a research study published in Environmental Science Technology make a strong eco-case for vegan products. This study says, “Shifting less than one day per week’s worth of calories from red meat and dairy products to chicken, fish, eggs, or a vegetable-based diet achieves more GHG [greenhouse gas] reduction than buying all locally sourced food.” Food miles are significant, but production has an even larger impact. With this valuable information, you can increase your pool of local buyers by interesting them in your vegan products.

Informing your consumers is just one of many ways to promote your vegan products. Even if the people you educate are not looking to become vegan, they might at least be persuaded to buy animal-free products on occasion. In addition, these individuals will discuss the controversy of eating locally vs. eating vegan with friends and family, so a social collaboration will form on the topic and increase the chances of your business being mentioned.

Even if you don’t have teacher-like qualities, you can promote your vegan products in other ways. Instead you can get straight to the point with your local consumers in your advertising projects. Hit them with a jaw-dropping fact. For example, in the 2008 study mentioned above, it says, “On average, red meat is around 150% more GHG-intensive than chicken or fish.” By implementing a powerful fact such as this one into your ad campaign, you will make potential consumers stop and think.

Another way to attract interest in your vegan products is to provide a visual comparison. For instance, if you sell vegan beef patties, show your customers the “lifecycle” of a real beef burger and why yours is more eco-friendly. Include the food mileage, the GHG emissions and other environmental effects that occur as a result of factory farming. The idea here is to present the true facts for shock value, as well as an educational lesson.

You might have a slow start when gaining local buyers. However, once you present the facts and prove that eating vegan products trumps eating local products when it comes to being eco-friendly, it will give people one more reason to change their habits – and encourage others through social collaboration to see what your business has to offer.

Vegan Business versus Local Business: Which do you Prefer?

Dexter Besa — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:00:18 +0000

Vegan products or local products? Vegan business or local business? We want to know which you are supporting and why? Is VEGAN or LOCAL better for the earth? Or is it even a comparison that can be made? Why do you make the choice to buy/sell vegan products – and does the local factor make a difference to you? Weigh in with your thoughts…

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