According to Walmart’s media website Walmart News Now,
the company is urging its suppliers to meet the growing demand for plant-based
foods.
The announcement cites a report published in Supermarket News, which states:
Thirty-six percent of consumers buy plant-based meats; 26% of consumers say they have reduced their consumption of meat in the past 12 months; and 58% of adults drink non-dairy milk, according to speakers at Expo East.
In the memo to suppliers, Walmart writes, “Even if your
target market isn’t vegans or vegetarians, you may still have plant-based foods
in your assortment that could meet the needs of these consumers. The company
also urged suppliers to utilize new marketing strategies to reach consumers searching
for vegan foods.
The fact that the world’s largest retailer is pushing
suppliers to make more plant-based foods is further evidence that more people
than ever are ditching animal products in favor of vegan options.
Over the past decade, veganism has seen consistent growth among
millennials and members of Generation
Z. Concerned about the environment, animal welfare, and their health, these
generations boast more self-identifying vegetarians than
any other.
Earlier this year NBC reported that Google searches for “vegan” had increased by 33
percent from 2015 to 2016. This is even higher than the increase from 2014 to 2015.
Fewer people eating meat, dairy, and eggs is great news for
the billions of farmed animals who suffer immensely at factory farms. Cows,
pigs, and chickens raised and killed for food are subjected to extreme
confinement, barbaric mutilations, and horrific deaths.
Fortunately, with plant-based options now more widely
available, it’s never been easier to switch to a compassionate vegan diet.
Click here to get started!