Today is World Vegetarian Day. It’s a day established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978.
“To promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.” It brings awareness to the ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.”
Sounds quite noble.
In my lifetime, I would love to see that we do not need a world vegetarian day because the majority of the world are not eating animals for the majority of their meals.
Whilst this is not a veg view, I see this as a realistic view about changing the diet patterns of the majority.
Per the research I have shared in my presentations, the sustainability of the planet is the highest priority now.
As a human species, globally, we are consuming way too much meat.
In 1960, the world annual average meat consumption was around 20kgs/person per year. Now, with more than double the global population, we are over 40kgs/person. Australian and Americans averages are more staggering – more than 100kg/person. With the developing world wanting to eat as much meat as Aussies and Americans, something has to give. We don’t have another planet to raise animals for meat.
Thankfully, Governments, institutions, and major food businesses are now moving in this direction.
Some news to give you hope:
Ovolo Group of Hotels have just announced they are going plant-based for 12 months. WeWork was the first major corporate to announce a meat ban. Now it’s great to see Ovolo Group leading by example for hotels around the world. Ovolo Group are sustainability champions – so it seems a natural next step.
Last week, V2 Foods announced that they are launching into 600 Woolworth outlets. V2 Foods is also available in Hungry Jack’s.
Hello Friends – a new Australian start-up plant-based cheese company is launching a crowd-sourcing campaign. Whilst this is not new, they do have high ambition.
This is great news. The public need access to more plant-based options in a way they can consume.
Last week, my family travelled to the Central Coast of NSW for a family get-a-way.
Wondering around the central coast, I realised how far the plant-based movement needs to go before we bring about a significant change.
Firstly, there are only a handful of places serving plant-based options. I made sure I found them.
Secondly, the obesity levels are visibly noticeable with the general public.
I’m sure there are many socio-economic factors playing a part. But none the less, the fast food outlets are plentiful in this region.
Australia is one of the most obese nations on earth. We are also one of the highest meat consuming countries; this is why it’s even more critical to make plant-based accessible, sexy and non-polarising for people transitioning.
What do you think? What are the challenges in growing plant-based businesses?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.