If you own a vegan business, you know it’s not always smart to indulge in trends. In the last couple of years, companies have popped up around the country touting business models that have a lower environmental impact. A vegan diet, in-and-of-itself, is way more environmentally friendly than the average meat-inclusive western diet, as studies show. Even when compared to local diets, vegan diets have been shown to have a smaller impact (though some locavores would dispute this).

When it comes to vegan business and the environment, there are certain companies and organizations that have acted as trail blazers. These innovative groups stand out when you look at the many aspects of veganism, business and the environment:

1) The Vegetarian Society is a long-time leader for vegetarianism and vegan awareness. It was formed in 1847, and as it has evolved it has worked to help veganize – and subsequently support – businesses with “Veggie Approved” status. This helped set the example for vegan groups and a standard for vegan-certified status. A focus for the society is to encourage people to see the positive effects of vegetarian choices on the environment.

What would happen if the whole world started going vegetarian? This week Vegan Mainstream will explore the environmental effects of veganism, and how these effects can impact businesses. For example, factory farming has evolved because of the perceived need for great quantities of “cheap” meat products. But what is the real cost of this abhorrent practice? How can a vocal stand against factory farming help your vegan business? Share your thoughts, ideas and experiences on this topic…

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As veganism becomes more mainstream, there are all kinds of vegan news stories popping up! For your interest and convenience, here are Vegan Mainstream’s top vegan stories for this week below:

Building Business on Passion
When Paul and Deborah Quinn were laid off, they decided to develop a pet care franchise called Fetch! Petcare. Their story shows that translating your passions into a business can pay off. Read more…

Today’s typical conscientious consumer cares less about finding cruelty-free vegan products and more about buying local. If this consumer’s goods come from nearby, he/she can throw other moral concerns out the window, basking in the glow of an “End of Suburbia,” anti-Wal-Mart disposition.

Approximately one month ago, Jordana Reim of Planet Verge challenged Dylan Mandel of The Lives of Famous Men to go vegan for 30 days. Becoming vegan has its ups and downs, but if a drummer traveling on the road with his band can do it, this lifestyle change might not be too hard after all. Mandel had some insightful advice for businesses as well as people interested in going vegan.

When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, it’s a well known fact that one step you can take is to become a locavore (one who eats locally grown foods). However, in 2008, the findings of a research study published in Environmental Science Technology make a strong eco-case for vegan products. This study says, “Shifting less than one day per week’s worth of calories from red meat and dairy products to chicken, fish, eggs, or a vegetable-based diet achieves more GHG [greenhouse gas] reduction than buying all locally sourced food.” Food miles are significant, but production has an even larger impact. With this valuable information, you can increase your pool of local buyers by interesting them in your vegan products.

Vegan products or local products? Vegan business or local business? We want to know which you are supporting and why? Is VEGAN or LOCAL better for the earth? Or is it even a comparison that can be made? Why do you make the choice to buy/sell vegan products – and does the local factor make a difference to you? Weigh in with your thoughts…

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We all love a nice relaxing glass of vino every now and again. But if you are an avid vegan AND a wine enthusiast, like myself, this is one vegan news story you are going to want to hear. Whether you prefer drinking a glass of wine at the end of a long day, or using it in your favorite vegan dishes, know that your wine may not be as vegan as you would like to think.

It’s kind of a big deal. Publicly minimizing the environmental impact of a business, and emphasizing the earth-friendly nature of vegan products has never been more lucrative than it is right now. According to a study conducted in 2009 by Green Seal, a non-profit environmental research and certification group based out of Washington, D.C., four out of five Americans are purchasing products touted as environmentally friendly – this in spite of a behemothic economic recession and the often higher cost of buying “green”.  So what’s the easiest, greenest way to satisfy America’s changing spending habits?

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