Summer cookouts will be delicious, environmentally friendly, and fun
(United States – June 28, 2024) – Summer, sun, grilling seitan sausages: The shift toward plant-based foods on the grill is this year’s coolest trend. Veganuary is encouraging everyone to turn on their grills and pump up the veg in July for the official Veganuary BBQ Month, which will feature delicious plant-based recipes as a fun and climate-friendly upgrade to summer barbecues.
To further accelerate the enthusiasm that millions shared during Veganuary’s annual campaign in January, where people tried eating vegan for a month, Veganuary is launching a summer campaign to freshen up summer grilling traditions. Throughout the month of July, the non-profit organization will encourage everyone to try a vegan BBQ with unique, vegetable-forward recipes. To support home cooks across the country, Veganuary will unveil the Ultimate Vegan BBQ Video Guide. This fun, and surprisingly simple guide is packed with tips and tricks, mouth-watering meat alternatives, and delicious grilled veggie ideas, making it easy to create a plant-powered feast that will impress any guest.
Regardless of whether vegetables from the garden or plant-based burgers from your grocer’s fridge are simmering on the grill – Veganuary BBQ Month proves that anyone who opts for plant power on the grill can experience real feel-good cuisine, and help the planet while they’re at it.
Brady, 24, who participated in Veganuary from Westfield, MA said that trying vegan with Veganuary led to, “A clearer conscience and a more expansive food palate.”
During Veganuary 2024, more people than ever took the start of the new year as an opportunity to try out a plant-based diet for 31 days. The official 2024 participant survey* showed that most respondents (82%) plan to make significant diet changes after participating – either staying fully vegan or reducing animal products by at least 50%. Over 2,100 new vegan products and dishes were launched worldwide for Veganuary 2024, hitting store shelves and menus in January. But beyond the New Year, Veganuary is changing eating habits in the long term, both supporting individuals on their vegan journeys and working directly with brands, restaurants, and retailers to increase their plant-based offerings all year long.
Why are people choosing vegan BBQs this summer?
- Health: Research confirms: Plant-based foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts, pulses, and seeds – which often make up a large part of a vegan diet –have been shown to help in the treatment of many chronic diseases and are often associated with lower levels of type 2 diabetes, less hypertension, lower cholesterol levels and reduced cancer rates.
- Planet: Choosing plant-based food protects the environment: Research shows that animal agriculture is a leading contributor of climate-changing gases and a key driver of deforestation and species loss. This is why Oxford University researchers recently stated that the ‘single biggest thing anyone can do to help the planet’ is to go vegan.
- Animals: Animals were the primary motivation for Veganuary participants in 2024, according to the Veganuary 2024 Official Participant Survey*. Stacey, 43, from Stockton, CA, who participated in Veganuary 2024, said, “I feel better about not contributing to the misery and exploitation of animals.”
- New Flavors: Marinated seitan skewers, tofu kebabs, veggie franks, or grilled eggplant: Vegan grill cuisine is diverse and has something for every taste. And, it has never been so easy to choose plant-based products for a spontaneous barbecue with the number of brands that are continuing to release more vegan options than ever before.
Veganuary BBQ Month participants can learn how to grill a variety of plant-based foods that make cookouts not only delicious, but also environmentally friendly and fun. To participate in the virtual cookout, Veganuary invites everyone to share photos with the hashtag #VeganuaryBBQ, tagging @weareveganuary.
About Veganuary
Veganuary is a nonprofit organization that encourages people worldwide to try vegan for January and beyond. Since Veganuary launched its first pledge 10 years ago – in January 2014 – millions of people, coming from almost every country in the world, have officially taken part, with campaign hubs in Germany, USA, Chile, Argentina, India, Spain, and the UK. This New Year’s revolution has also been embraced by businesses, with hundreds of companies taking part in Veganuary last year, launching thousands of new vegan products and menu items. Veganuary is free to join, and people can take part at veganuary.com.
*The survey was sent to participants who opted to receive Veganuary’s support through our 31-day tailored email series. At the end of the 31 days, we asked them about their experience. 18,129 people responded.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessie Lingenfelter
Veganuary US Media
[email protected]
www.veganuary.com
