The limited-edition capsule, unveiled at Milan Design Week earlier this month, features hoodies, t-shirts, and shorts made entirely from regenerative plant-based materials – and they’re even fully compostable. 

Each piece is made without synthetics or plastics. Once worn out, the garments can be buried in the earth without leaving behind microplastics or toxic residues.

“This is just the beginning – the next evolution of sportswear made for athletes and built for the planet,” the two brands said in a joint statement. 

Read more: Fur Production Has Plummeted To Lowest Level In Years

This marks the first major product launch from UNLESS since it was acquired by Under Armour. Founded in 2020 by former Adidas executive Eric Liedtke, UNLESS is thought to be the world’s first plant-based, zero-plastic regenerative fashion brand. In line with its commitment to a plastic-free future, it creates clothing and footwear using natural materials that can be safely returned to the environment after being worn. 

The collection

The collection draws inspiration from skate, surf, and outdoor cultures, according to Under Armour. Despite being biodegradable, the garments are built to meet everyday durability standards.

The plant-based capsule collection is available exclusively at the Under Armour Brand House in Baltimore. Prices range from $30 to $160. We don’t yet know if or when the products will be available to buy online or elsewhere.

Read more: UGG Announces Launch Of Vegan Boots 

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

The authors reviewed existing studies and found that “the environmental impact of owned dogs is far greater, more insidious, and more concerning than is generally recognised.”

Pacific Conservation Biology published “Bad Dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs” on Wednesday. Philip W. Bateman, an associate professor at Curtin University’s School of Molecular & Life Sciences, and Lauren N. Gilson, an academic researcher, ecologist, and conservationist, also of Curtin University, Australia, authored the research.

According to the research article, domesticated dogs kill and disturb “multiple species” directly, but their “mere presence” – even while leashed – also disturbs birds and mammals. Furthermore, their scent and excreta continue to disturb wildlife after the dog has moved on.

This excreta can also transfer zoonoses to wildlife, pollute waterways, and negatively impact plant growth. Dogs that physically enter rivers and streams may also pollute waterways directly due to the chemicals found in wash-off flea and parasite treatments.

Finally, the sheer number of “owned” dogs worldwide – approximately 900 million animals – contributes to the pet food industry’s extensive resource consumption and carbon emissions. The authors highlight the need for increased education around responsible owner behavior.

Read more: Plant-Based Diets For Dogs And Cats – What Does The Research Say?

The pet food industry, meat, and cultivated protein

As more people become aware of the significant negative impact the meat industry has on the environment, the pet food sector has also come under increased scrutiny. Producing animal-based food for dogs and cats makes up 30 percent of the meat industry’s environmental impact and releases millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).

“The dog food industry should be included in any nation’s sustainability action due to its considerable environmental footprint,” write Bateman and Gilson in their research.

However, alternatives to traditional, animal-based pet food are increasingly competitive and available. The vegan pet food market could nearly double in value over the next decade, while cultivated pet food gained EU approval earlier this month. In February, a “world first” dog food featuring both plant-based ingredients and cultivated meat went on sale in the UK.

Read more: Is 2025 The Year Of Ethical Dog Food?

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Speaking at the London Assembly Mayor’s Question Time in March, Polanski called on Khan to “show climate leadership” and make a “good example” by rolling out plant-based meals as the default option at City Hall’s canteen, “the most local place possible.”

By “default,” Polanski explained that meat and dairy-based foods would still be available, but customers would have to request them specifically, as people do with meat-free options now.

He also said that he would “love to talk” to Khan about free school meals and how they could also be made plant-based by default. “This is the very first option though, just City Hall canteen, just making sure there are plant-based options that are the default options.”

Khan declined to take action. He told Polanski several times that his priority was ensuring choice and said that at the moment, City Hall and the city of London have a “good balance.”

Read more: UK Hospitals ‘Fall Short’ On Sustainable Meals, Study Finds

School dinners and plant-based by default

Polanski explained to Khan how he hosted an event with Viva! earlier this year at the all-vegan community restaurant Karamel in Wood Green, North London. Over 100 campaigners and experts in areas like food, climate, and anti-poverty attended, and that collective’s suggestions have been made into A Cruelty-Free Manifesto For London.

This manifesto includes five key recommendations for the Mayor of London, which include transforming public catering to plant-based by default, adopting a cruelty-free supply chain, promoting plant-based living through education and campaigns, creating a fund to support local food growing, and collaborating with London’s many plant-based health professionals.

“A third of human-caused emissions are caused by our food,” said Polanski in a video posted to Instagram. “That’s why it’s really important that we have targeted, specific food policy to help tackle the climate crisis.”

The publication of A Cruelty-Free Manifesto For London and Polanski’s exchange with Khan came shortly after a new policy briefing found that plant-based meals in schools and hospitals could save the NHS £54.9 million pounds per year. A portion of these savings could then be used to emphasize sustainable, British food from small and organic growers.

Nearly 20 percent of UK children experience food poverty, and a 2024 study found that free school meal allowances are often too low for children to buy healthy options like fruit. Meat is also currently compulsory on school menus, but removing this requirement – and making plant-based options the default – could make healthy, sustainable food more accessible.

Read more: Healthy Plant-Based Diets Lower Risk Of Death From Cardiometabolic Disorders, Finds Study

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

An audience question read out by Maher was directed to guest Jon Tester, the former Democratic Senator for Montana and a crop and beef farmer. The question was: “Are you concerned about bird flu and the Trump administration’s ability to respond to another pandemic?”

Tester said that “we should learn something from COVID and we should treat these things seriously.” In response, Maher said: “All the diseases come from animals, and it’s because of the way we treat them… badly.”

Tester agreed there “there’s no doubt” that the current bird flu situation is due to the “concentration of livestock in small areas, in this case, chickens.” Bird flu has become a global catastrophe for both wild and farmed animals, spreading rapidly through poultry farms until mutations allowed it to jump to a growing number of species.

Read more: Bird Flu Jumps To Sheep For First Time

Maher said that the cruel conditions that chickens are kept in are to blame for bird flu. “When you torture animals, it winds up coming [back on us],” he said. Maher has been a PETA board member since 1997, though he continues to eat meat.

‘We should deal with it’

Maher asked whether Tester, in his capacity as a Senator, had ever done anything about the way chickens are farmed. do anything about that?

“Look, we have a hard enough time getting a farm bill passed in Congress, for Christ’s sakes, much less dealing with those kind of issues in our food system,” said Tester. The farm bill is a legislative package that expires and is updated every five years in the US. It covers matters such as financial support for farmers and nutrition programs to help low-income families.

“Does that mean we shouldn’t deal with it?” Tester went on. “No, we absolutely should deal with it in common sense ways.” But he said instead, the political conversation ends up fixating on issues like which bathrooms trans people should be able to use.

Currently, the global response to bird flu is focused on containment through killing infected animals and implementing biosecurity measures on individual farms. However, intensive animal farms continue to proliferate across the globe. Experts have warned that countries must start preparing for a potential bird flu pandemic among humans, including developing vaccines and public communication programs.

Read more: First Human Case Of Bird Flu Confirmed In Nevada As New Strain Circulates

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

The dairy-free chocolate market is booming, having nearly doubled in value since 2018. It’s now worth around USD $1.2 billion. The range of vegan chocolate on offer at Easter has improved over the years, too. Many brands are creating their own dairy-free bunny “characters,” giving them names and a distinctive look.

So here are 10 vegan options to try from seven different brands.

Read more: Catherine’s Originals Launches ‘UK’s Largest’ Vegan Easter Egg

Marks and Spencer

The M&S Plant Kitchen Bunny Hollow, wrapped in blue foil, is one the adults will particularly appreciate. Crafted from smooth, Swiss-made dairy free chocolate and hazelnuts, it’s the sophisticated version of Easter chocolate.

There are two options from the M&S Made Without Dairy range that kids will enjoy. Charlie the Bunny is larger of the two, designed as part of the M&S Easter chocolate animals range. Charlie is made with cocoa butter and rice flour for a creamy texture. The Made Without Dairy Bunny Bars are individually wrapped solid chocolate bars, great for a little treat.

ASDA Free From Choc Patch the Bunny

From Asda‘s Free From range, Patch the Bunny is a cute little solid chocolate bunny. Patch is completely free of dairy, eggs, and gluten.

Lindt Dark Chocolate Easter Bunny

Vegans needn’t miss out on the classic Lindt Easter Bunny with the brand’s dark chocolate version. Wrapped in the iconic gold foil, with a brown ribbon and bell, the dark chocolate version is completely dairy free.

NOMO

Vegan chocolate brand NOMO has a great range of Easter chocolate on offer that includes several bunnies. The Cookie Dough Easter Egg & Bunny is a dairy-free chocolate egg with a cookie dough flavor, paired with an little cookie dough-filled bunny. The bunnies can also be bought individually and come in Choc fudge flavor too.

The Mini Vanilla Bunnies are a new flavor for 2025. Inside the mini bunnies is a sweet vanilla filling, with each bunny individually wrapped so they would be perfect for an Easter chocolate hunt.

Another new product this year is NOMO’s Kids Easter Hunt Pack. It contains a selection of NOMO chocolate, including a Cookie Dough Bunny and three Mini Bunnies.

Hotel Chocolat Vegan Chocolate Rabbert Hollow with Tiddly Pot

Rabbert the Rabbit is Hotel Chocolat’s vegan Easter Bunny character. His long floppy ears and round belly will make him popular with kids. Rabbert is made with 45 hazelnut milk, which Hotel Chocolat says “achieves the same mellow taste and creamy texture that you’d expect from milk chocolate.” The bunny comes with a “Tiddly Pot” of chocolate drops using the same vegan recipe.

Other offerings from Hotel Chocolat include Unbelievably Vegan Chocolate City Bunnies, a box of 16 solid chocolate bunnies with tall ears and wearing little bowties. There is also raspberry version, with pink bowties and a soft raspberry filling.

Moo Free Dairy Free Easter Bunny Bars

These little Easter Bunny bars are solid dairy-free chocolate made using Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. You can buy them individually or in packs of six or 15.

Chococo Oat M!lk Chocolate Bunny in a Box

For something a little more decadent, try Chococo’s oat milk bunny, made with 43 percent Colombian chocolate. Handcrafted in Dorset, the bunny is decorated with colored speckles and comes in completely plastic-free packaging.

Read more: The ‘Best Dark Chocolate In The World’ Is Vegan

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

Liberty, produced by nonprofit studio Fauna Films, follows a six-year creative journey by disabled artist Gretchen Ryan – using her art to tell a powerful story about resilience and compassion.

The film centers on Gretchen Ryan, a painter who was paralyzed in a car accident at age 16. Over the past six years, she has created a 13-foot-wide painting titled “Liberty Leading the Animals,” inspired by Eugène Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People.” Her work reimagines the figure of Liberty as a symbol of hope and strength for animals, challenging audiences to consider what freedom means for all beings.

“Liberty isn’t just a film about a painting; it’s about defying the odds, using art to amplify marginalized voices, and inspiring empathy for both humans and animals,” said James Hoot, executive director of Fauna Films and director of Liberty.

Read more: Anti-Dairy Ad To Be Screened At Cinemas In ‘UK First’

Liberty launches crowdfunder

Today (March 24), Fauna films is launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise USD $8,000 to complete the film. All funds will go toward the production and post-production of Liberty, and donations will be matched by a private donor. Backers contributing $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible donation receipt through Fauna Films, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

The film will conclude with the public unveiling of Gretchen’s painting at a gallery event in Los Angeles on May 16, 2025. Tickets to the event will be available to supporters of the campaign.

In addition to spotlighting Gretchen’s artistic process, Liberty will visit Farm Sanctuary to feature the real-life animals who inspired the work. Through this, the film draws connections between artistic representation and the lived experiences of rescued animals.

Supporters can view the trailer and donate here. 

Fauna Films is a nonprofit film production studio creating high-impact visual content to promote compassion, sustainability, and justice. Its work supports movements for animal rights, environmental protection, and plant-based living.

Read more: New Vegan Zombie Film Features Dr Michael Greger And Jane Velez Mitchell

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

So what do they actually eat to fuel their bodies through incredible feats of strength, endurance, and skill? Here are what five top athletes think are the best sources of protein from plants.

Read more: Exclusive: Olympians Sign Open Letter Asking For Plant-Based Olympics

Katya Gorbacheva

US-based nationally qualified powerlifter Katya Gorbacheva competes with the Vegan Strong PlantBuilt Team. She has bench pressed 85.7 kg (193 lb), squatted 165 kg, and deadlifted a whopping 182.5 kg. And she does it all without any animal products.

Gorbacheva previously told Plant Based News (PBN) that she gets all the protein she needs from tofu, seitan, and vegan meat alternatives. Her diet is also packed with fruits, vegetables, and grains like buckwheat, which is particularly rich in the amino acids lysine and arginine.

Tofu is among the best sources of plant-based proteins since it’s made from soy beans, which are comparable to meat for protein content. Tofu is nutrient-dense and rich in isoflavones which may help lower cholesterol.

Seitan is made from vital wheat gluten and is packed with protein while being low in fat. While it’s not a good choice for people with a gluten intolerance, for anyone else looking to fuel their bodies while training, it’s a great option.

Patrik Baboumian

Vegan strongman Patrik Baboumian recommends beans as a great source of protein. He transitioned from vegetarianism to veganism is 2011, the same year he won the title of Germany’s Strongest Man. He has set multiple world records and appeared on Netflix film The Game Changers in 2018. 

To power those massive muscles, Baboumian eats a lot of legumes, nuts, and seeds. In a 2019 YouTube video, he described what he eats in a day, though he noted his diet was always evolving. Along with vitamin supplements, in the video he has a soy isolate protein shake and a fruit smoothie with more protein powder added in. For lunch he prepared a tomato salad alongside fries, falafel and vegan sausage, as well as grilled peppers. His next meal was lots of vegetables and tofu.

Diana Taurasi

Dianan Taurasi has only just retired from a stellar career playing basketball for WNBA team Phoenix Mercury. She is the league’s all-time leading scorer and has six Olympic gold medals to her name. She has been vegan since 2016, and told Bon Appetit in an interview that she “felt the change instantly” with her body able to recover faster and her performance on the court improving.

Read more: Vegan Strong Team Wins 48 Gold Medals At Mr. America

In the interview she revealed that her breakfasts consisted of soy milk smoothies blended with hemp, flaxseed, and chia seeds. Soy, hemp seeds, and chia seeds are particularly rich sources of plant protein. For lunch, Taurasi said she would eat air-fried tofu, broccoli, and rice, while dinner would be vegetable-packed enchiladas topped with loads of vegan cheeses.

Meagan Duhamel

“I wasn’t a world champion before I was vegan, I was a world champion because I was vegan,” Meagan Duhamel told Bon Appetit. Duhamel is a Canadian Olympic figure skater with a gold medal for pairs figure skating in the 2018 Winter Olympics and seven national titles. She went vegan in 2008 and shares vegan recipes and nutrition tips through her social media account @lutzofgreens. She is now retired and coaches other skaters. According to Great Vegan Athletes, she has said that one of her “proudest accomplishments has been going vegan.”

To support her athletic performance, she would eat homemade protein cookies made with chickpeas and peanut butter as well as lentil pastas. On @lutzofgreens she shares protein-packed recipes such as a Beyond Meat fried rice made with quinoa and lentils and a chickpea avocado salad. She describes the salad as “a great option for athletes! High in protein and rich in healthy fats” which athletes need “because it’s the primary fuel for low to moderate intensity exercise.”

Kendrick Farris

Olympic weightlifter and American weightlifting record-holder Kendrick Farris has credited his vegan diet with helping his body recover faster and giving him more mental clarity. He has also said he doesn’t worry about tracking his protein intake because what matters is how food makes him feel. He told Men’s Journal in 2018 that black beans and trail mix with almonds, cashews, and pistachios are among his go-to foods, and all are packed with protein. Farris also recommend to PBN a few foods that he thinks are great for building strength.

One is hemp. More than 25 percent of the calories from hemp seeds are from high quality protein, containing good amounts of all the essential amino acids. They’re also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and various minerals. Hemp can be consumed as seeds or as a protein powder.

Read more: Most Americans Wrongly Think It’s Important To Eat Animal Products For Protein

Farris told PBN bamboo shoots are another good food for strength training. They aren’t widely consumed outside of Southeast and East Asia, but they are worth seeking out for their nutritional value. They’re packed with vitamins, fiber, and minerals, and are a good source of protein. Their protein and nutrient content both increase with fermentation too, and jars of fermented bamboo shoots are pretty readily available at health food stores.

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

Signatories include Olympic weightlifter Kendrick J. Farris, Olympic rock climber Alexander Megos, Olympic weightlifter Angeline Berva, Olympic road cyclist Simon Gescheke, and Paralympic swimmer Sarah Bofinger. Other top athletes such as France’s “strongest woman” Angeline Berva and vegan strongman Patrik Baboumian also signed the open letter.

“As a vegan athlete, I’ve experienced how a plant-based lifestyle not only fuels peak performance but also aligns with a vision of sustainability and compassion,” said Farris, who has been vegan for over a decade and appeared in 2018’s documentary The Game Changers.

The open letter is addressed to LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover and begins by thanking him for his commitment to an eco-friendly approach to the next Olympic Games. The letter notes that the 2024 games in Paris set a strong precedent by making 60 percent of its meals vegan, but suggests that “Los Angeles can do even better” when it hosts the Olympics in 2028.

“Advocating for a vegan Olympics in Los Angeles is a powerful statement about our collective responsibility to protect the planet and promote a kinder, healthier future,” added Farris. “Together, we can show the world that greatness thrives on compassion.”

Read more: Vegan Strongman Patrik Baboumian Shares His Favorite Protein Sources

LA28: animal charities call for plant-based Olympics

The open letter was organized by Jenny Canham, the director of outreach and engagement at the nonprofit Animal Outlook. Canham began calling for a plant-based Olympics last year and highlighted the “incredible strides” LA has made with plant-based initiatives recently.

In 2024, West Hollywood announced a “groundbreaking” new policy of providing plant-based food by default at all council-run events. Also in 2024, Los Angeles County passed a motion that required all departmental food to be plant-based by default.

Animal agriculture is a top contributor to the climate crisis. Plant proteins have an 89 percent lower environmental impact than animal-derived meat, with comparable nutrients and myriad health benefits.

LA28 will see participation from around 15,000 athletes and the attendance of millions of visitors. At 2024’s games, hundreds of chefs prepared more than 40,000 meals every day.

Plant Based News has contacted the Olympics for comment.

Read more: The Top 10 Most Vegan-Friendly Cities In The World

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

With the number of people moving away from animal products on the rise, it’s no wonder that so many people choose to have a plant-based or fully vegan wedding. Here are five couples’ accounts of planning and celebrating vegan weddings.

Read more: New Research Highlights Growing Plant-Based Shift In The UK

The 7 most spectacular vegan weddings

Klaus and Kamal

Klaus is a health and sustainability advocate and public speaker, as well as the founder and CEO of Plant Based News (PBN). He and Kamal, a finance lawyer, met through mutual friends at an after-party for Vevolution in 2019, where they stayed out partying until past 4am.

Klaus and Kamal got married two years later at Euridge Manor, a grand Georgian house located right on the edge of the Cotswolds, in southwest England. The couple initially had an intimate civil ceremony with just their immediate families present, but decided to celebrate again with a larger party once the UK’s lockdown restrictions lifted a few months later.

Everything at Klaus and Kamal’s wedding was vegan, including the stationary, decor, and sustainable, custom-made wedding outfits created by celebrated Indian designer Anita Dongre. Middlesex-based S&K Foods provided an Indian feast in Euridge Manor’s grand ballroom, and the after-party included Booja Booja ice cream and Humbledough bakery carts.

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A post shared by Klaus Mitchell (@klaus0m)

“The caterers did a phenomenal job and I’m so grateful that all our suppliers understood our vision,” said Klaus. “With my work, sustainability is an important mission for me that goes beyond just work. Our wedding was a real example of that.”

Klaus said he was pleased that he and Kamal could celebrate with a traditional Indian wedding that also emphasized gender equality and the couple’s shared feminist values. The ceremony itself was conducted by the UK’s first female Hindu/Jain priest, Chanda Vyas.

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A post shared by Anita Dongre (@anitadongre)

“I couldn’t have wished for a better day – and I’m proud that we were able to put on such a fun party without compromising on our values,” continued Klaus. “Everyone commented on how delicious the food was and the many options we had throughout the day.”

Holly and Jason

Holly and Jason first met through mutual friends in 2011, and have been together ever since. The couple live in the southwest of the UK with their two cats and rescue dog, Michael. (Michael also attended Holly and Jason’s wedding, where he briefly became the center of attention.)

Holly – who is also known by her artist moniker HollyMae – is an illustrator and surface pattern designer with a day job as a program and business development manager for a medieval friary. Meanwhile, Jason plays in bands, writes music, and works as a content and community manager. “We are both creative people,” Holly told PBN.

“Jason and I have both been vegan for a number of years and it was important to us that our wedding reflected our values,” continued Holly. “It was met with some apprehension from guests, with Jason being of Zimbabwean heritage where meat is a large part of the diet. We wanted to prove that vegan food can be indulgent and delicious, and we couldn’t bear the thought of any animal suffering being funded by our decision to hold an event.”

‘I feel like it was a success!’

The couple chose a venue with approved caterers and picked several vegan canapés, including faux chicken, mushroom, and pate, and a few additional small plates. The main wedding breakfast was a sit-down meal with seasonal, locally available ingredients. For the evening, they opted for vegan bunny chow – a half loaf of bread filled with guests’ choice of curry and sundries – and combined a centerpiece wedding cake with several other cakes, all of which were vegan.

“The guests tucked into it all and many of our meat eater attendees commented on the food,” said Holly. “So I feel like it was a success!”

However, the sustainable, curated, and plant-based theme also went beyond food. Holly opted for a cruelty-free makeup artist, a vegan, aerosol-free hairstylist, and non-traditional wedding shoes, while Jason chose footwear – a pair of vegan Doc Martens – that he has worn many times since. The bridesmaids all picked their own dresses from Vinted, and the couple provided guests with eco-friendly, confetti-style dried flowers that fed the local wildlife.

For the wedding favors, each guest received a small card with a personal note from Jason and a hand-drawn illustration from Holly. “I hoped that they would be more likely to hang onto them with them being so personalized, again reducing any single-use/throw-away items that would negatively impact the planet,” she said.

Rory and Issy

Rory and Issy met at a horse racing protest outside the Grand National around 11 years ago. They started out as “protest buddies” before becoming colleagues, then friends, and then romantic partners. Issy told PBN that they are both ethical vegans, and live a flight-free and substance-free lifestyle. (Which, Issy said, makes them “a bundle of laughs.”) The couple live in the Peak District and are currently planning their vegan wedding for September of this year.

Early in their relationship, Rory and Issy both worked together as campaigners at the UK-based vegan charity Viva! Rory went on to found This Is Not a Game Co – best known for Plants Against Veganity and the Vegan Dictionary – and Issy now works at a theatre.

When they first began planning their ideal wedding, the couple “considered everything,” including eloping, church weddings, registry offices, and more. However, Issy said that “none of it really fit” their situation and lifestyle. The couple wanted to celebrate in a way that was budget-friendly, non-traditional, and “fit the vegan vibe,” meaning no farm-based venues.

‘Vegans are always happy to cook’

Issy said that after plenty of research, the couple has decided to celebrate their wedding in their own home and garden with a vegan staple: a buffet-style potluck. Rory’s Mum will supply main dishes like lentil and vegan mince lasagnas, plant-based pizzas, and finger sandwiches, while guests can bring whatever they like – providing it is suitable for vegans.

The couple’s RSVPs also include information about what an entirely vegan wedding involves – including no leather shoes, wool, or silk – and Issy said that they plan to have “responsible vegans in charge of the food” to make sure all of the offerings are 100 percent plant-based.

“The benefit of a vegan potluck is that vegans are always happy to cook and show off their favorite vegan meals, and we can showcase a variety of different cuisines, dishes, and flavor palettes to the nonvegans who may have wildly different preferences,” explained Issy. “So there should be something for everyone!”

Kelly and Kyle

Kelly and Kyle have been ethical vegans for 15 years and both work within the nonprofit space. Kyle currently works for Vegan Grants and also runs his own business helping nonprofits leverage AI, while Kelly works with Sea Shepherd Australia and Animals Australia.

The couple decided early on that their wedding should be “an extension” of their vegan belief system, and Kelly told PBN that having a vegan wedding was “non-negotiable” for them.

“Our wedding was super small, just our daughter and a couple of close friends as witnesses, plus our dogs, but we still made sure everything from fashion to food was vegan,” said Kelly. “We wanted our special day to be a celebration of love, not just between us, but for the animals too.”

A vegan wedding was ‘non-negotiable’ for Kelly and Kyle

The couple are based in Victoria, Australia, and first met during a tour of Edgar’s Mission, a farmed animal sanctuary where Kyle worked at the time. When they met, Kelly was working at another sanctuary, but in 2017 she joined the Edgar’s team alongside Kyle. “That’s when we really got to know each other, fell in love, and the rest is history,” said Kelly.

They had their wedding ceremony at Mount Macedon, a dormant volcano above a small town of the same name. After the ceremony, they moved on to Edgar’s Mission for photographs and dinner – a plant-based grazing table and vegan pizzas from Melbourne’s Red Sparrow – alongside the animal friends they made during their time working at the sanctuary.

Kelly and Kyle now have their own property where they have been able to adopt several animals themselves. Kelly is also a photographer and has published a free photo guide titled 10 Essential Tips For Mastering Animal Photography, which is available from her website.

Rohini and Siddhant

Rohini, a nutritionist and the co-author of Living PCOS Free, married Siddhant in Hatfield, England. The pair met in Mumbai, on India’s west coast, at a Holi party. (Widely known as the Festival of Colours, a springtime Hindu celebration that famously features paint-throwing and dancing.)

The couple’s wedding took place at Hatfield House, an estate that has featured in high-profile films like 2018’s The Favourite and the TV show Bridgerton. Rohini told PBN that the couple’s celebration combined the vibrancy and joy of an Indian wedding with the intimacy of an English wedding, and included an eco-conscious aesthetic throughout the food, outfits, and decor.

Rohini and Siddhant opted for potted flowers grown by the bride’s mother in place of cut bouquets, which the guests took home after the wedding. They also used borrowed jewelry for good luck, and raised nearly USD $7,000 for Wildlife SOS and Educate Girls instead of more traditional wedding gifts. The Indian charities protect entertainment animals – including elephants abused in the wedding industry – and educate girls and women, respectively.

‘The food was a huge success’

“Creating a completely vegan celebration was incredibly important,” said Rohini. “It required a lot of effort but it was worth it – from sourcing silk-free Indian wedding fabrics for our outfits to finding vegan and gluten-free options for a guest with an allergy.”

Rohini told PBN that she worked closely with the wedding caterers to develop a menu that would satisfy all 180 guests throughout the 14-hour-long celebration. Dishes included crispy okra fries, sweet potato chaat, green moong dal, Thai green curry, Tofu Pad Thai, green mango salad, stewed jackfruit, and a coconut-infused sweet potato and chickpea curry. 

Desserts included kheer rice pudding with cardamom, pistachios, and saffron, Booja Booja truffles, Motichoor Laddoo (sweetened, fried gram flour pearls), and fruity sorbet. The couple also chose a selection of vegan wedding cakes, including zucchini and lemon, blueberry and elderflower, carrot cake, chocolate, and Victoria sponge, all made with vegan, olive oil-based buttercream.

“The food was a huge success – even among our most skeptical friends who had never eaten a fully vegan meal before, let alone for a whole weekend,” said Rohini. “Almost six years on from the wedding, I have several friends who are following a more plant-based diet since, including my best friend and her sister who both went vegan inspired by the event. Seeing everyone enjoying the food and drinks made all the planning worthwhile.”

Jenné and Maxx

Jenné is the plant-based cook, influencer, and author behind the recipe blog Sweet Potato Soul and the accompanying recipe book Sweet Potato Soul Vegan Vibes.

She has written extensively about her experiences planning a vegan wedding with Maxx, including picking a caterer, finding a cake, choosing a wedding dress, and all other parts of the process. Jenné described planning a vegan wedding as a “super time-consuming” but fun challenge, particularly as – like many couples – they were working with a strict budget.

Dresses and suits can be expensive, and the latter frequently use animal-derived materials like wool. With budget, sustainability, and vegan requirements in mind, Jenné and Maxx each opted for a secondhand option purchased online and then tailored items to fit. 

‘It felt so good to see all of our planning come together’

The couple got married at the venue 1909 Topanga Canyon, which offered outdoor space, indoor space, and a banquet room, and allows couples to use any caterer. They chose vegan celebrity chef Lauren Von der Pool, who created an entirely plant-based menu.

Dishes included Superfood Shitake Kale Salad, Southern Fried Crispy Chicken served with Mumbo Sauce, Caribbean Red Bean Stew, Crispy Potato Salad topped with micro greens, African Street Corn (Eritrean berbere spiced corn coated in a buttery garlic aioli), Sweet Potato Purée, Chicken & Waffles, and Coconut Braised Greens (tender greens stewed in a buttery coconut milk miso broth), all served buffet-style.

Jenné and Maxx also hired Krysten Littles of Baby Love Sweetery to make a two-tier chocolate salted caramel cake with pleated buttercream icing. “On our wedding day, it felt so good to see all of our planning come together, and I’m very happy to be able to say it was a 100 percent vegan event,” wrote Jenné in a blog post about the experience.

Andrea and Marcus

Andrea is a nutritionist and health coach at a private longevity clinic in Sweden and runs an informational Instagram account under the name Healing With Andrea. Her husband, Marcus, is a teacher and has worked with children for “many years.”

“I met my dream man, Marcus, six years ago,” said Andrea. “At that time, I was working part-time in a health food store, and he came in as a customer. We connected instantly and talked (until I had to close the store) about veganism, healthy foods, healing tools, and fasting.”

She told PBN that it was clear from the start that they wanted their wedding to be vegan, as Andrea had already been vegan for 10 years and Marcus for eight at the time. She noted that the couple always chooses vegan clothing, including Marcus’s suit and leather-style shoes and both of Andrea’s two wedding dresses.

Andrea and Marcus received ‘so much’ positive feedback from guests about the vegan menu

“We wanted to cater from a wonderful vegan restaurant in Stockholm called Chouchou, so we could ensure that all the food would be delicious and well-made,” said Andrea. “We served a tasty vegan buffet with minced ‘meat’ pie, Caesar salad, cevapcici, puff pastry with caramelized onions, potato salad, tomato salad, hummus, tzatziki, and freshly baked bread.”

The couple also opted for vegan wine and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as two wedding cakes: a “rich” chocolate cake with buttercream and an almond cake with vanilla and meringue. At midnight, they served vegan hot dogs to all the guests still dancing.

“We absolutely love animals! We couldn’t imagine serving any animal products at the wedding, it would go against our core beliefs,” she added. “Even though the majority of the guests were non-vegans, we received so much positive feedback regarding the menu!”

Read more: What is Sparkling Tea? The Wellness Drink Popular With Gen Z

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

The findings indicate that the dominant, pastoral image of animal farming in marketing does not represent reality. In fact, most farmed animals – around 85 percent in the UK – are raised on factory farms.

Food Chain Misinformation was published this week by The Animal Law Foundation, a UK-based legal research charity and lawyer collective. In a statement sent to Plant Based News, The Animal Law Foundation’s executive director Edie Bowles noted that “something has clearly gone wrong,” particularly when so many British consumers care about animal welfare. Posting about the report on X, Animal Law Foundation said Brits are being “systematically misled” about their food.

Relevant provisions under the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act of 2024 are due to come into effect from April 2025. The new act explicitly prohibits unfair commercial practices such as providing false or misleading information to sell a product. Its predecessor, The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, also prohibits misleading action and omission.

Read more: The ‘Shocking’ Rise In US-Style Mega-Farms In The UK

‘We need urgent action’

To produce the report, researchers reviewed the websites, advertisements, and products of 47 producers and processors of dairy and eggs, as well as chicken, duck, turkey, pig, and lamb meat. Only three of these did not use photos of animals on their website. Of the 44 producers that did use animals, 84 percent used imagery of animals living outdoors. While 61 percent showed images of animals indoors, all of the animals appeared healthy, and nearly 30 percent depicted spacious conditions. Forty-eight percent also used blurry, cropped, or unclear imagery.

All major supermarket websites feature images of apparently healthy animals living outdoors, and almost 67 percent used imagery of animals alongside farmers. Three out of the nine supermarkets did not show imagery of animals living indoors. Of those that did, the animals appeared to be healthy. The indoor imagery showed a cow alongside her calf, well-lit barns, and clean hay. Just two supermarkets depicted animals indoors in “what could be characterised as standard commercial conditions,” the report said.

According to Animal Law Foundation, dairy pooling, where milk from multiple farms is processed together, means that it is extremely difficult for consumers to find out if the cows that produced the milk they purchase were ever grazed outdoors, unless that milk is organic. Meanwhile, the law in England, Scotland, and Wales is set to be updated to loosen the requirements for a “free range” label due to bird flu. This means that a so-called free-range hen could potentially spend her entire life inside.

“Just as regulators are cracking down on greenwashing, we need urgent action to address ‘humane-washing’ in animal agriculture,” said Bowles. “Consumers must be able to trust the claims made on the food they buy, and authorities must ensure that those who partake in misleading practices are held to account.”

Read more: More Than Half Of Brits Unaware Cows Must Be Impregnated To Produce Milk, Survey Finds

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Massive Attack put on the Act 1.5 festival in Clifton Downs in its hometown of Bristol last August. The one-day event took a number of measures to reduce its environmental impact, including using renewable energy, encouraging attendees to walk, cycle, or use public transport to get there, banning glitter and disposable vapes, and not serving any animal products.

Bristol vegan caterers Chiki Monkey and Soy Ahoy were at the festival, alongside a number of other non-vegan businesses that served completely plant-based menus for the event. 

Now, a report by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research compared its emissions with those made by a standard hypothetical outdoor festival. Scientists compiling the report found that Act 1.5 created 98 percent fewer emissions than comparable shows. 

Read more: Bafta Guests Served Vegan Caviar As Part Of More Sustainable Menu

A low impact festival

According to the report, plant-based food and the electric cars that brought the food reduced catering emissions by 89 percent. The festival’s highest emissions were produced by the five percent of attendees who flew to the event, which made up 64 percent of overall emissions. 

Professor Carly McLachlan, associate director at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, said that this case study “could change the landscape for outdoor festivals”.

“It demonstrated that there are real opportunities for promoters, providers, local authorities and central government to create the conditions for the UK to lead the world in super-low carbon events,” she added, according to the BBC.

Studies have shown that eschewing animal products is the most effective way individuals can reduce their impact on the planet. According to research published in 2023, vegan diets lead to 75 percent less climate heating emissions, land use, and water pollution than those containing more than 100g of meat a day. In addition to this, plant-based diets cut the destruction of wildlife by 66 percent and water use by 54 percent. 

Act 1.5, which was named after the 1.5C global warming limit outlined by the Paris Climate Agreement, could serve as a blueprint for future events to reduce their climate impact. 

“Fans want clean shows, that’s very clear,” said Act 1.5’s lead producer Mark Donne. “The challenge for promoters and government now is to meet that need.”

Read more: Metal Band With Vegan Singer Takes Home First Grammy Win

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Madison took home the award for her titular role in the 2024 film Anora, where she portrayed a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. The film scooped up five Oscars in total, including “Best Picture.”

Describing her win as “very surreal” in her acceptance speech, Madison said she wanted to “recognize and honor the sex worker community” and that she will “continue to support and be an ally.” Madison was up against fellow plant-based stars Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) and Demi Moore (The Substance), as well as Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here).

Mikey Madison’s Veganism

Madison has said that she’s vegan, but she hasn’t spoken much publicly about her diet, lifestyle, and animal advocacy. Animal rights group PETA confirmed after her win that she “wants to help rescue ponies [and] has an adopted dog named Jam.”

According to PETA, Madison previously stated that her dog was adopted rather than bought. “My dog was born on my birthday… I didn’t even know because he was a rescue,” she was quoted as saying.

When previously asked by Hollywood Authentic what roles she would like to play in the future, Madison replied: “I just want to make enough money to have a ranch for my mini pony rescue. That’s really just what I want enough money to have.”

Last year, Madison revealed her favorite “sweet treat” is vegan chocolate chip cookies topped with flaky salt. She previously shared her recipe on The Drew Barrymore Show, explaining that she replaced butter and eggs with plant-based substitutes after going vegan. She also uses dark chocolate chips.

Read more: ‘The White Lotus’ Creator Urges Thai Government To End Monkey Exploitation

“This is my favorite recipe,” she told Barrymore. “I’ve refined it a little bit over the years because I’m vegan and a little older, so I like dark chocolate.”

She then added that her “secret” is using half unbleached flour and half almond flour. “I think that it makes it chewy and soft and airy. I think it’s really good,” she said.

Read more: Lady Gaga Says Plant-Based Wings Are ‘Very Good’ On Hot Ones

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Velez-Mitchell noted that the yet-to-be-passed Farm Bill features “massive subsidies” to the industrial animal agriculture sector and that cutting them would represent a “significant opportunity” for both cost savings and intervention in the country’s “growing health crisis.”

In addition to her work as a journalist, Velez-Mitchell is the founder of UnchainedTV, an animal rights-focused nonprofit streaming network. Writing about the topic for UnchainedTV, she urged other people to write to Musk and provided a petition-style template email created by Their Turn.

“Taxpayers should not be providing corporate welfare to multinational corporations that emit more greenhouse gases than all forms of transportation combined and whose products harm our health, increase healthcare costs, and put the public at risk of deadly zoonotic disease outbreaks,” says the email. It also describes farming subsidy cuts as “obvious and sensible.”

Read more: Banks Urged To Stop Funding Animal Farms In New Open Letter

Subsidized agribusinesses perpetuate ‘an uneven playing field’

Newly re-elected President Trump seeks to reduce federal spending and has launched The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – overseen by Musk – to do so. DOGE’s activities so far have met with lawsuits, chaos, and accusations of errors and exaggeration.

Meanwhile, the US spends an approximate yearly average of $20 billion on agricultural subsidies or direct farm program payments. The majority of these subsidies go to animal farms, and 99 percent of all livestock animals raised in the US are factory-farmed.

“Lobbyists representing the animal agriculture industry have long played a pivotal role in shaping the Farm Bill, investing tens of millions of dollars to influence lawmakers,” explained Velez-Mitchell. “Data from 2019 shows that the wealthiest one percent of farm operators received nearly a quarter of total subsidies, while the top ten percent garnered nearly two-thirds. Small, independent farms often struggle to compete against these heavily subsidized agribusinesses, perpetuating an uneven playing field.”

A Congressional Research Report from 2024 predicted a 10-year baseline projection of $1.36 trillion for animal agriculture subsidies. Subsidies keep the price of animal products artificially low, instead of promoting nutritious, sustainable, and cost-efficient plant-based foods.

Factory farming has a direct, negative impact on human health, and subsidizing it costs taxpayers money every year. In contrast, investment in plant foods and alternative proteins can have significant economic potential, with myriad health and environmental benefits.

Read more: Elon Musk Falsely Claims Animals ‘Don’t Make A Difference’ To Global Warming

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Around 2,000 guests were served a three-course menu at the Southbank Centre in London after the awards ceremony. The caviar came in reusable tins featuring the Bafta mask, served with sourdough bread.

There were other plant-forward items on the menu, including pickled or parfait organic mushrooms from Sussex as the starter. The meat-free option for the main was roast crown prince squash and zero-waste root vegetable bhaji.

Read more: Anti-Dairy Ad To Be Screened At Cinemas In ‘UK First’

Bafta promotes sustainability in the film and television industry through its albert programme. Albert provides tools and guidance for the industry to reduce its environmental impact, including how to create content that promotes climate action.

More sustainable caviar

Bafta guests are not the first to have enjoyed vegan caviar. It is becoming a more common alternative, with several producers and restaurants such as Gauthier Soho offering it for sale. Plant-based chef Kirk Haworth won the fish round of Great British Menu with seaweed caviar.

Caviar made from fish eggs, known as roe, is often regarded as both cruel and unsustainable. European sturgeon are on the brink of extinction due to their eggs being harvested for caviar, as the fishes are killed to extract their eggs. There are regulations in place that are supposed to protect wild sturgeon and help their numbers recover. But genetic testing of caviar samples from Eastern Europe have revealed that half of commercial caviar has been harvested illegally.

Farmed sturgeon is often described as more sustainable, with some farms being “no-kill” producers. But this still involves handling the fishes, including making incisions to get their eggs out.

Read more: What Is Vegan Seafood, Is It Healthy, And What Brands Are Best?

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

Ongoing Brexit negotiations with Brussels over a veterinary agreement could potentially make such a ban impossible. Both the UK and Brussels aim to minimize the need for border checks – which have increased since the referendum – in order to boost economic growth.

The Guardian reports that animal rights groups are concerned a veterinary deal with minimal red tape will involve mutual recognition of animal welfare standards. Certain animal products, such as foie gras, are illegal to produce in the UK but remain legal in Europe.

Less than one year ago, current Environment Secretary Steve Reed told The Times that if Labour was elected, it would build on its “proud track record” on animal welfare by banning the commercial import of foie gras, “where ducks and geese are aggressively force-fed.”

Foie gras is French for “fat liver,” and the paté-like dish is created by force-feeding birds until their livers swell. Foie gras production has been illegal in the UK for nearly 20 years, but according to the RSPCA around 200 tonnes of the controversial food was imported in 2021.

Read more: Another French Town Has Ditched Foie Gras

Most UK voters want a foie gras import ban

Research conducted by Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International) indicates that 77 percent of voters want a ban on animal products like foie gras with production methods that are already banned in the UK. Seventy-two percent want more laws to improve animal welfare overall.

Abigail Penny, Executive Director of Animal Equality UK, told Plant Based News (PBN): “The Labour Government made an electoral pledge to ban foie gras imports – a commitment that was met with widespread public support. This promise to the people cannot be broken; lip service won’t save animals, only action will. Animals used and abused for foie gras are already exploited so terribly, they cannot be treated as a political hot potato too. Public patience is wearing thin. We will fight to ensure this ban comes to fruition.”

PBN has reached out to the Department for Environment, Food, & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for comment. When asked about whether the government would commit to a foie gras import ban, a DEFRA spokesperson told the Guardian “We won’t be commenting on this one.”

Read more: Cultivated Foie Gras Company Submits Novel Food Application In Five Markets

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.