5/19 The Times They Are A Changin
Fun and interesting news!
Vegan entrees are the 13th hottest food trend for 2010 says the National Restaurant Association. In the main dish category, meatless courses ranked #11 while vegan main dishes were #13. The number one overall trend was locally grown produce.
If we are buying as much local produce as we can get our hands on and the restaurants we all frequent are doing the same, think of how much money we would be circulating in our own communities. As a bonus, we will also be eating produce that is luscious and fresh.
Photo By: S. Duquet
We bought these tomato love bombs at our local farmers market. They were so outrageously delicious that not even I could deny it. I have always been the tomato hating vegetarian until now.
I become giddy with excitement and promise every time I read another article about the mainstreaming of plant based food options. The more readily available these options become in commonplace venues, they more likely that the average Joe or Jane will try them and love them.
Could you get your Dad or your Grandma into a Whole Foods vegan section? Maybe not. But they might just be willing to order a vegan pizza or chick’n sandwich the next time you were sharing a Sunday meal at your fave restaurant. Remember, small steps creating great change.
Have a great day!
* Food trend info from VegNews April
Tags: buy local, food trends, vegan entrees, vegan foods, vegetarian foods
May 19th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I’ve been thinking about starting an email/letter writing campaign to restaurants around us to ask them to try adding one vegan menu item (iceberg salads don’t count, lol!) for a month. Wouldn’t it be so exciting to walk into your favorite restaurant and find yummy, vegan, locally sourced entrees?
May 19th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Jennifer, that is a fantastic and passionate idea. You know you have our support. Yesterday I read that the Cruzer Pizza chain had a 40% increase in sales after they started offering Daiya vegan cheese last May. I have never been to a restaurant that wouldn’t enjoy a 40% increase in sales.
As people become more willing to try healthful alternatives to what we have always eaten, the restaurants would be wise to follow the trend. Every Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods I have ever been in was busting at the seams, busy with customers. We are all ready for some level of change. Our bodies demand it and our environment needs it.
This is your battle cry Jennifer!! Hungry Vegans For Change!!