{"id":216822,"date":"2023-12-05T17:01:07","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T17:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veganuary.com\/?p=216822"},"modified":"2025-08-14T11:39:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T10:39:42","slug":"veganuarys-expert-panel-determines-purple-sweet-potato-is-the-2024-vegetable-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veganuary.com\/en-us\/veganuarys-expert-panel-determines-purple-sweet-potato-is-the-2024-vegetable-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Veganuary\u2019s Expert Panel Determines: Purple Sweet Potato is the 2024 Vegetable of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As Veganuary 2024 launches, a dedicated panel of specialists predicts the tuber will be the \u201chottest\u201d vegetable of 2024 based on versatility, sustainability, taste, and more<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong> (United States – December 5, 2023) <\/strong>– Veganuary<\/a> \u2013 the global movement to try vegan for January and beyond \u2013 is launching its upcoming campaign by announcing the first-ever Veganuary Vegetable of the Year, determined by the panel of experts, including food futurologists, chefs, and members of key nutrition, retail, and sustainability councils. To select 2024’s Vegetable of the Year, the expert panel considered five main criteria: growing popularity, versatility, sustainability, health\/nutrition, and affordability\/accessibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With these criteria in mind, the panel determined the purple sweet potato is the official 2024 Vegetable of the Year. The world will see much more of this trendy tuber, which is becoming more widely known as a superfood for longevity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holly Adrien, Natural and Organic Strategy & Innovation Manager at Kroger and a Veganuary Vegetable of the Year panelist, said: \u201cThis upgrade to our loved traditional potato has been gaining in popularity. Not only is the purple sweet potato versatile and a visual upgrade to any dish you make, they are an upgrade in nutrition as well, high in fiber, vitamins A and B and packed with antioxidants. Available fresh and frozen, and as an ingredient to amplify dishes, we will continue to see the vibrant purple sweet potato\u2019s popularity grow.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veganuary developed its Vegetable of the Year concept in keeping with the global campaign theme \u201cVote for Veggies,\u201d which aims to celebrate vegetables and highlight their relationship with sustainability, creativity, taste, trends, longevity, and other cultural indicators for the coming year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veganuary is positioned to support individuals in creating new recipes with the purple sweet potato, as well as other delicious plant-based foods, through the free resources offered to all 2024 participants. Everyone who registers for the challenge will receive daily plant-based recipes, nutrition guides, a budget meal plan, and access to discounts and special offers. Participants also gain access to a global community of supporters and participants through Veganuary\u2019s podcast, YouTube series, and Facebook groups. This year, Veganuary is also launching its first official cookbook, featuring 100 delicious vegan recipes, available to order<\/a> now.  
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\u201cWe are excited to welcome everyone to participate in Veganuary 2024 and to encourage people to enjoy a wide variety of vegetables as they shop, cook, and order vegan options at restaurants,\u201d<\/em> said Sandra Hungate, US Director of Veganuary. \u201cWe’ll be sharing new recipes over the month of January and everyone who <\/em>signs up for Veganuary 2024<\/em><\/a> will receive a new 7-day recipe guide to eat the rainbow!\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past 90 days, Google searches for “how to cook purple sweet potatoes” are up 160%*. The release of Secrets of the Blue Zones on<\/em> Netflix earlier this fall sparked public interest in purple sweet potatoes and their reputation as a longevity superfood. Purple sweet potatoes get their vibrant color from the same source as blueberries, the antioxidant anthocyanin. They are also rich in vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Sweet potatoes are listed among the \u201cClean Fifteen\u201d in the Environmental Working Group\u2019s 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce\u2122.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veganuary\u2019s 2024 Vegetable of the Year Panelists:<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n