It's World Vegan Day!
Here at F&F, we’re so excited to celebrate World Vegan Day with you on November 1st! This day is all about celebrating the profound success of the vegan movement, which is based on compassion and justice for animals.
What is World Vegan Day?
World Vegan Day, celebrated every year on November 1st, is a day to celebrate veganism and some of its life-changing benefits. The term "Vegan" was coined by English animal rights advocate, Donald Watson — founder of The Vegan Society! The event itself was established in 1994 by Louise Wallis, former Chair of The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the organisation and the coining of the terms "vegan" and "veganism".
What is Veganism?
Before we jump into any more information, let’s outline what veganism actually is. This definition by The Vegan Society sums it up nicely:
"Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms, it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."
In simplistic terms, it means excluding meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived products from your diet and also not wearing or using products derived from animals.
What are the benefits of veganism?
There are three key reasons why people go vegan: for the animals, for the environment, and for improved health.
Animals
Most vegans believe that exploiting animals for food, clothing and entertainment is inherently wrong. Having emotional attachments with animals may form part of that belief, while many argue that all sentient creatures have a right to life and freedom.
Environment
When we think about cows and other animals that are raised for food, we don't take into account the environmental impact. The production of meat and dairy requires an enormous amount of land and water, not to mention the excruciating amount of methane produced by ruminant animals (cows, sheep, goats). In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, land use, energy use, acidification potential, and eutrophication potential — plant-based foods have the lowest environmental impact.
Health
A well-balanced vegan diet is incredibly healthy and contains all of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that our bodies need. Some research has linked vegan diets with lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. Many vegans eat a colourful range of fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, nuts, seeds, beans, tofu and other meat-substitutes. Countless associations, academies, authoritative bodies and health experts recognise that veganism is suitable for every age and stage of life.
Veganism at Flora & Fauna
Veganism is at the heart of everything we do here at Flora & Fauna. We started Flora & Fauna as a platform for purpose; a business that uses its power to do good. To us, doing good means being kinder — that’s why we source vegan and cruelty-free products that are made ethically and sustainably. We do not believe that animals should be tested on or exploited to make our skincare and makeup.
We began as a concept in July 2014 and launched our online store in November of that year. We launched with 30 brands and around 500 products. Now, we’re proud to have a huge range of over 10,000 products, 300+ brands — all 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Along with our physical store in North Rocks, we regularly attend vegan markets and expos to spread the word about veganism.
To find out more about why Flora & Fauna is 100% vegan, check out this blog!
How can you celebrate World Vegan Day?
Year after year, you'll find countless events to celebrate World Vegan Day! First, cook yourself an excellent vegan meal and celebrate the fact that no animals were harmed in the process! Then, it's up to you. Stuck on ideas?
- Post about your vegan journey or share your favourite recipe on social media with the #WorldVeganDay hashtag
- Take part in community outreach to spread the word about veganism
- Attend a World Vegan Day event, festival, webinar or expo
- Encourage your friends, family and co-workers to go vegan for the day (or the whole month, if they’re up to it!)
- Try a new vegan recipe and share it with the people around you
If you’re in Australia, check out this amazing resource by Vegan Australia; it shows all the vegan festivals, markets and conferences in your state or territory.
Want to learn more about veganism?
If you’re curious about veganism and want to learn more, check out these blogs on The Eco Hub:
Vegan Diet
Essential Vitamins & Supplements to Support Your Vegan Diet
Everything You Need to Know About Vegan Protein
Animal Testing & Cruelty-Free
Delicious Recipes
Vegan Vietnamese Rainbow Salad
