Before funnymen Ryan Howard and Dan Ziegler founded the award-winning, nationally recognized Chicago Vegan Foods (previously Chicago Soy Dairy), they were crafting just a few vegan alternatives on a small scale in a tiny basement. Now, their mouthwatering lineup boasts an array of nationally available treats, including Temptation Vegan Ice Cream, Teese Vegan Cheese, and Dandies Vegan Marshmallows. We recently chatted with Howard and Ziegler to get the scoop on how this small vegan business took the world by storm!
MFA: Why did you guys first become interested in veganism?
Dan Ziegler: It’s an old story: boy meets veganism, veganism meets boy. All this happened about 20 years ago for me.
Ryan Howard: Ziegler is the smartest man alive. I wish he was the reason I went vegan, but it was actually Diet for a New America by John Robbins 19 years ago.
MFA: What inspired you to start Chicago Vegan Foods?
Dan Ziegler: It was Ryan’s idea. He called me one day and asked if I wanted to start a natural foods company. I told him I had nothing else to do.
Ryan Howard: I knew in high school that I wanted to do something with vegan food, but bigger than a bakery – something that would reach more people. I used to sell vegan cookies in high school during the passing periods. Most kids didn’t know the cookies were vegan until I told them. It was good outreach then.
MFA: Why the focus on indulgent foods?
Dan Ziegler: Those are the foods I grew up loving and missed the most when I decided to become vegan. We make products that we love to eat.
Ryan Howard: We like to call them “transition” foods. It’s easier to get people to veganism if they have familiar food options. We do try to make the options healthier. Our Teese is low-fat and the soft-serve Temptation is fat-free. Of course, I always encourage people to eat their salads & veggies.
MFA: What are your favorite ways to use Dandies Vegan Marshmallows?
Dan Ziegler: Roasted over a campfire. Also as a projectile. When you make over 500,000 marshmallows in a day, is there anything more fun than grabbing a handful and throwing them at employees?
Ryan Howard: Eating them as a snack directly out of the bag on the way home from work. So good.
MFA: What kind of research goes into developing a new product?
Dan Ziegler: Ryan goes into the basement and comes out with something new. It’s understood that we don’t know, and don’t want to know what happens down there.
Ryan Howard: It’s a bit of a blur, but I remember a blast of gamma radiation. Beyond that, it’s top secret.
MFA: Where are your foods available and do you have plans to expand the availability of your products?
Dan Ziegler: Dandies are available at Whole Foods everywhere. You can find Teese at Whole Foods in the Midwest and southern California. Also, my mom has some.
Ryan Howard: Yeah, my dad usually stocks up when he visits from Indianapolis, so you can talk to him. Or your local health food store. We think 2012 will be a great year for expansion of our current product line.
MFA: What’s next for Chicago Vegan Foods?
Dan Ziegler: We’re going to make a triumphant video and get Eddie Van Halen in the band.
Ryan Howard: Or do we have to get Eddie Van Halen in the band first and then make a triumphant video? So much to be done…
If you’re in the Chicagoland area, visit Chicago Vegan Foods at the Pitchfork Music Festival, where they’ll be serving up Temptation Vegan Ice Cream, one of the best non-dairy alternatives on the market.
To learn more about choosing a compassionate vegan lifestyle, visit ChooseVeg.com.