With its fifth vegan congress, vegan friendly projects and vegan friendly restaurants, Israel has become the new vegan nation.
The country’s sun kissed climate is ideal for the growing and consumption of high quality vegetables and fruits. Shuks (Israeli open-air market) are located in almost every town which makes an ideal grocery shopping experience for restaurants, gourmets and vegan lovers.
Vegan is the new trend in Tel Aviv. With more than 500 vegan friendly restaurants and 5% of the Israeli population being vegan, the city has become one of the biggest animal-free food metropolis.
Israeli and International food brands find alternatives to meat, cheese, eggs, yogurt and milk chocolate for the great pleasure of Vegans. Even ice cream are made without cream (yes that’s a thing!). Ben&Jeryy is joining the community by launching a non-dairy ice cream that compiles all the traditional flavors of the brand.
Israel was a pioneer in the field, when launching the first vegan option of Domino’s Israeli branch, in 2013. A short while ahead, in 2012, the vegan friendly project was created in Israel, bringing veganism to the mainstream, by creating a list of restaurants and business places that are friendly to vegans. From food to clothes, the project founded by Omri Paz, aims to make the shopping experience of vegan products, an easier and enjoyable experience.
“From 2014 to 2016, the trend grew to include more vegan products in supermarkets,” Paz says. “Now the next new trends are in big mainstream companies, which offer vegan products, and in food-tech and tourism.”
Animal welfare, at the top priority of Israeli vegans, is one of the reasons why the community is involved in the project, knowing the main factor remains the health aspect. The country analyzed a 30% decrease in the sales of sausages and cold cuts, since the 2015 Worlds health organization warned about processed meat being carcinogenic.
Last year the world’s largest animal right march took place in Tel Aviv with some 30 000 demonstrators. They all came to convey a message of compassion and caring towards animals, holding signs saying “ Eat fruits not friends”.
Tal Gilboa, an Israeli vegan activist won “The Big Brother” in Israel in 2014 and became the icon of the revolution. She is devoted to the animal rights protection and a famous activist in Israel who influences many people and minds. Israel financial magazine Globes surveyed viewers of “Big Birther” and it appears that 60 percent of them have or plan to change their eating habits, as a result of Tal’s appearance on TV.