The blog post today is a bit of a strange one and even though it originates from an experience in Brisbane, it definitely raises a topic people everywhere can chime in on.
Read more below.
I’m currently in Brisbane, Australia visiting my family and friends. Did you know that I was born and grew up here?!
I’m happy to be here and spend time with people I care about, but I’m also making sure I check out as much of the vegan scene as I can.
There is a cafe in the inner city suburb of Annerley called Paper Moon. I’ve heard about this cafe for a few years and read glowing reviews about their 100% vegan pies, pastries, and cakes.
Imagine my suprise when I stopped by today and discovered that the are now serving non-vegan donuts and cow milk. Admittedly the vast majority of the food was vegan, but it was a surprise after hearing so much from the vegan community about it.
But here is the real kicker.
While I was chatting with the server, she told me they had only recently taken over as owners. Of course I asked if they planned on keeping the main food case completely vegan as it is and she said no!
I was told that the new owners are dairy farmers and veganism is not their priority. While they will keep vegan options, they are planning to phase in more and more non-vegan food to the menu.
It’s a very confusing situation becase the cafe still has many signs up shouting about being vegan and even the profil picture for the business on Instagram says ‘100% vegan’. I asked about the profil picture and the owner told me she doesn’t know how to change it!
Apart from it all seeming a bit chaotic and amatuer, it also left me feeling compromised.
I don’t think I want to spend my money with a business that is transitioning AWAY from veganism and that is owner by dairy farmers. The food I ordered today was tasty (vegan steak, gravy, and mash pie and a double choc lamington) and I certainly do eat in non-vegan places with good options, but this situation just hits differently for some reason.
How about you? Do you think you would continue dining here if they reduced the vegan offerings from 100% down to half or a third? Does it matter to you that it’s a business run by dairy farmers?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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I have a general rule that if a cafe or restaurant moves in the wrong direction I will no longer support them. Wherever possible I eat at independent vegan businesses, but when out of London in particular, I do eat at non-vegan places which offer decent options.
Of late Floozie Cookies in Covent Garden are no longer 100% vegan – with a really flimsy reason for this being offered on Facebook (the rising cost of vegan ingredients???). I have abandoned my almost weekly visits.
Good policy to have!