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It's that time of year again, everyone is making new year's resolutions, are hitting the gym, or starting diets. But one of the biggest trends for January is people going vegetarian or vegan for the first month of the year. But what is Veganuary? Well, simply put Veganuary is where people pledge to eat a vegan, or plant-based diet for the month of January. By trying a vegan diet people can help prevent and end animal cruelty, it can improve overall health and it can help combat climate change issues.

In 2019 more than 250,000 people took part in Veganuary, an increase of 49% compared to 2018. 47% of those that took part then said that they were planning on staying vegan, 77% then said that they would try being vegan again and 60% of people said that it was easier than they expected. But what can this mean for businesses?

Why you should support Veganuary this January?

Veganism or choosing a plant-based diet is probably the fastest growing lifestyle choices, and even if people aren't going vegan full time, a huge number of people are looking to make food swaps or adding in meat-free days to their routine. Which simply means people are looking for more options when going out to eat, and if you can offer a fantastic vegan menu then there is also the chance for repeat business. Large chain fast food places like McDonalds, Greggs and even KFC are now starting to offer vegan and vegetarian options. And with a predicted alternative market looking to be worth $5 billion in 2020 why wouldn't you get involved.

Things you can do now

You don't have to make dramatic changes straight away, there are things you can do now that can add a vegan element to your menu.

  • Look at your existing menu. What meat-free dishes would compliment your current menu? Or is there a menu item that can be made vegan with a simple ingredient swap?
  • Are there any vegan dishes you can create using the produce you currently buy in?
  • Add a plant-based milk to your menu for hot drinks
  • Get feedback from staff and customers. You never know they might have a simple idea that could make all the difference!

And don't forget that adding plant-based options to your menu doesn't just appeal to your local customer base, it can be a great marketing tool, potentially drawing in customers from further afield.

For a more detailed guide on catering for vegan and vegetarian customers check out our handy guide.