Veganism has become a popular trend in America in recent years. The practice requires that its adherents abstain from products made using animals, particularly in food. It can also encompass other products, such as personal hygiene items.
According to a recent study by data and analytics firm GlobalData, between 2014 and 2017 the percentage of Americans identifying as vegan rose from 1 to 6 percent. Many areas are attempting to keep up with the growing movement toward a meatless diet, including downtown Phoenix.
Phoenix has quickly become one of the foremost cities in the country for the vegan movement, offering dozens of vegan restaurants with a variety of cuisines, including burritos, stir fry and everything in between.
These are relatively new developments; many of these restaurants began popping up around the city only in the last few years. Since then several other restaurants have opened for business, including some with multiple locations.
Many restaurants in the area not specializing in vegan food now offer vegan options. Arizona State University student Becky Herrer, who has been vegan for five years, said vegans in the area now have more options than ever.
“I can pretty much eat anywhere now, and it wasn’t like that just five years ago when I started,” Herrer said.
She said that the ASU Downtown Phoenix and Tempe campuses offer several vegan options as well, making it easy for her to grab something on the way to class.
Downtown Phoenix now hosts several vegan food festivals, which have become increasingly popular with vegans and vegan food consumers throughout the state.
This year, the official Phoenix Vegan Food Festival will celebrate its fifth anniversary when it opens its gates at Margaret T. Hance Park on Feb. 29. The festival began in 2016 as a way to connect local vegans who previously did not have a proper outlet for community and celebration. This year, the festival will be open later into the night than in previous years to draw in more adults.
Jessica Florez, the director of social media and sponsorship for the festival, has been a part of it since the beginning. She has been able to watch both the festival and the vegan community expand.
“It’s been amazing and crazy all at the same time. It’s interesting to go from a simple idea to this expansive event that brings so many people together,” Florez said.
This year’s festival will incorporate a kids’ zone, live local music and local artists. Vendors will also offer a variety of food, skincare products, makeup and clothing.
Florez noted that the festival is meant to welcome everyone.
“The festival is not just meant for vegans,” she said. “It is meant for anyone who wants to celebrate food and culture, and will include activities for people of all ages.”
All of the vendors are part of local restaurants and startups that are changing the community as well. While all are locally based, some of the vendors are part of national companies. Kimberly Muro, the co-founder of Phoenix-based startup Fluffy Vegans, is among the vendors.
Fluffy Vegans is a national snack company that provides vegan food for the public. Muro said the level of community involvement in the festival, as well as how many people she sees going vegan locally, have changed drastically in the last five years.
She said that people are going vegan because they see outlets and resources through things like the festival. She believes there is a distinct reason why people are going vegan.
“Compassion is the new sexy, it’s the new trend. People are going vegan because they have been able to see what it’s done for others in their community and all around them,” Muro said.
Contact the reporter at cespinne@asu.edu.
