Whilst I was in Memphis I became a reporter for The Daily Helmsman newspaper for one semester. The University print newspaper had daily editions in both digital and print formats distributed across the city.
The Daily Helmsman
The Daily Helmsman
Peterborough's vegans are taking on global trend with open arms
By Luke Chapman
23/02/21
Photo: Charlotte Moore
Over 500,000 people have signed up for this year’s Veganuary, making 2021 the most popular year to date. The challenge entails participants eating a plant-based diet for the entire month of January, as guest writer Luke Chapman explains.
Peterborough nurtures an emerging vegan scene. Combining a rise in high street vegan options with niche local establishments has allowed residents in Peterborough to tackle this year’s challenge with ease.
One asset helping Peterborough residents with Veganuary is the Peterborough Vegan Facebook Group. Paul Benton, the group’s founder and co-admin, created the page to help those in the local community share recipes, food ideas, and support.
He said: "Social media allows us to keep the vegan community in Peterborough connected, and offer a friendly welcome to new vegans/those doing Veganuary."
Alongside the Facebook group, Benton also helps to organise local food shares, and takes part in the Peterborough Vegan Festival. The pandemic has unfortunately halted much of these events, but he believes Peterborough holds a special place for veganism.
Paul continued: "We have the vegan market coming a few times a year, our food shares, and some brilliant local vegan businesses. The sense of community over the last few years has impressed me”.
Aiming to improve animal welfare, tackle environmental concerns, and promote the personal benefits of a plant-based diet, Veganuary started in 2014 with only 3,000 participants. A rise in popularity for veganism, alongside accessibility to plant-based foods, has enabled the Veganuary organisation to achieve record numbers.
With 192 countries representing Veganuary across the globe, Peterborough is taking on this global trend with open arms. Places such as Resist! Vegan Kitchen, When Polly Met Fergie, and Vegan Cakeaway have begun to make Peterborough the next vegan hotspot.
Vegan Cakeaway is a popular plant-based bakery in Eye. Owner Louise Walton said: "Veganuary is very important as it helps to promote and educate people about why having a vegan lifestyle is important to protect animals, live a healthy life, and to benefit the planet."
Walton’s bakery gives Peterborough residents the opportunity to enjoy treats such as brownies and cakes - something often hard to find on a vegan diet. Unfortunately, due to temporary closure, the Cakeaway hasn’t been able to offer special events for Veganuary, but Louise plans to share her guilt-free baked goods with residents from February.
High street chains in Peterborough have also embraced Veganuary, with Dominos, Wagamama, and Starbucks among those launching new products to celebrate this landmark month.
According to the Veganuary website, 18% of this year’s sign-ups have cited the environment as their main motivation for the diet change. With Peterborough’s ongoing efforts to become the next environment capital, could nurturing vegan culture be a positive method for the city to achieve this accolade?
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