Whole Foods Market

New vegan butter made with macadamia nuts

by

Vegans in the USA just got a fab festive gift.

There is a brand new vegan butter alternative made from macadamia nuts and it has just launched in Whole Foods Market stores across the country.

The new plant-based, 100% palm-oil-free creamy buttery spread is from dairy alternative company milkadamia.

This revolutionary non-dairy buttery spread replicates butter’s delicious creamy taste and texture while also allowing consumers to enjoy the taste of butter without the damaging effects on animals, the planet, the soil, and rainforest lands in areas like Indonesia where a lot of palm oil is farmed unsustainably.

As I stated above, the product is only currently available in Whole Foods Market stores but will be spreading to Sprouts and other USA retailers early in 2020.

There is no word yet on distribution outside the USA but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

You can visit the milkadamia website here.

BREAKING: Tofurky sandwiches launch in UK

by

We have waited and waited for this day.

Finally, it is here.

Superstar vegan brand Tofurky is launching its ready-to-consume sandwiches in the UK next week!

You have probably noticed I’ve recently been bemoaning the state of grab-and-go sandwiches in this country but the tide is now turning.

Yes, sandwiches are everywhere you look but the options for vegans or those wanting to choose vegan now and again have been abysmal. One particular Instagram post of mine caused a LOT of discussion on the topic.

Thankfully, Tofurky has come to our rescue with four superior sandwiches being launched in the UK from October 2, 2017.

The four flavours set to launch are TLT (Tempeh, Lettuce and Tomato), Chipotle Chick’n, Ham-style Salad and Chick’n and Sweetcorn.

Tofurky founder Seth Tibbott told me via email this morning that everyone at the company is thrilled with not only the exceptional taste of the protein-loaded sandwiches, but also the look of the packaging.

To be fair, it is gorgeous.

Here are the four flavours lined up at a recent trade event.

I can’t decide which flavour is tempting me the most. I suppose you can’t say no to a classic like ham and salad. But the chicken and sweet corn!

Seriously, I would need one of each. The FOMO is too real.

All four sandwiches will be on the shelves of Whole Foods Market stores across London from October 2, 2017. A few weeks later this will expand to include all As Nature Intended stores plus other health retailers.

After this initial London launch is a success (I mean, as if they won’t fly out!), look for the sandwiches to start rolling out further afield and especially into large, mainstream food retailers.

Are you excited? Could you pick a favourite? Where would you like to see these Tofurky sandwiches sold?

Follow Tofurky on Instagram to keep track of more exciting developments. Thanks for saving us from sandwich mediocrity, Tofurky!

Ultimate vegan shopping

by

Josh has left me all alone in Mexico City for a week to jet off to the USA.

He took some time out of his busy schedule of enjoying sunshine and making eyes at alligators in Florida to send me the following photos he took in a Whole Foods Market outlet.

Check out all the amazing vegan products rammed into these fridges!

Read more

Vegan gravy in a tub

by

Does the idea of being able to buy a tub of ready-made vegan gravy fill you with joy?

Today is your lucky day!

You can pick up this vegan mushroom gravy in Whole Foods Market stores around the UK.

This is perfect for showing up at a non-vegan’s house for a Sunday roast or Christmas dinner. How awesome would it be to pull this out at the table and annoy everyone else? I’m so vegan, I bring my own gravy.

Ha!

Xmas 15 bottom advert

BREAKING NEWS: Ms. Cupcake

by

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, has put vegan sweets on the London food map quite like Mellissa Morgan. Mellissa’s Ms. Cupcake brand is known and loved by people all over the capital, while her recipe collection has sold by the pallet load to devoted fans.

Ms. Cupcake is a vegan brand that has come an impressive distance in a short time, but a booming Brixton bakery and plans for a follow up book do not signal anywhere close to the end of the story.

Ms. Cupcake and Mellissa Morgan have some big news to share.

Read more

Cheap sweets

by

I am going to tell you two things in this blog post.

  1. You can buy the big tubs of Goody Good Stuff Christmas gummy sweets for just £1 at Whole Foods Market in Fulham. I am not sure if other branches around the UK are offering this deal. Perhaps someone will comment if they have seen it elsewhere. You will probably never see these vegan sweets at this price anywhere else.

goody good stuff2. An activist organisation called Direct Action Everywhere held protests at Whole Foods Market stores all over the USA a few days ago to raise awareness of animal suffering they allege is taking place on farms supplying the retail giant.

I am a bit confused about the campaign message presented by Direct Action Everywhere. Yes, Whole Foods Market is directly responsible for the death of countless animals but I don’t know what the activists are asking people to do. This action seemed to be about the mislabelling of eggs as humane when Direct Action Everywhere have presented footage they say shows horrendous conditions for birds in farms supplying the chain.

Are they asking Whole Foods to keep better watch of their suppliers or are they asking consumers not to eat animals? I love seeing compassionate people rise up in unison but I wish the message here was clearer and more well-defined.

You can watch a Direct Action Everywhere video about the egg production facilities here. Maybe you will get a clearer idea of the direction of the campaign than I could. The video contains horrifying footage of animal suffering but it is very muddled in its message.

I hope Direct Action Everywhere can tighten up their campaigns and of course I hope activists can convince Whole Foods Market to take animal products out of their stores.

Photo via here
Photo via here

That’s your Whole Foods Market news for today.

Cake on the rise

by

Imagine my reaction when an invitation came through to visit a vegan cupcake factory. I was like a larger version of that dancing baby that was a viral sensation a few years back, except a bit camper.

One of the most-loved cake companies in London, Trina’s Delicacies, asked me to drop in on their production premises south of the river to see how they go about creating some of the loveliest vegan cupcakes on the planet.

When you love vegan cake as much as I do, it can be a little overwhelming to find yourself in the centre of a commercial kitchen dedicated to baking huge quantities of the stuff. Trina (along with her friendly assistant Andy) made sure I stayed focussed by talking me through how each cupcake is lovingly handcrafted, where they can be purchased and what the plans are for the future.

Read more

Cake glory

by

I wanted to share this photo for two reasons.

1. Oh my. Can you believe how amazing these giant vegan cupcakes look? I saw this incredible line up in Whole Foods Market San Diego and was more than impressed. Come on London stores, get on it. I want over the top vegan cupcake designs.

2. I didn’t buy one. I was so overwhelmed by the choice I actually couldn’t decide on one. I stood there for roughly five minutes and then walked away calmly. I am a bad FGV, for sure.

Which one would you have picked?

cupcakes

Post Saf

by

We are living in a post-Saf Restaurant & Bar world. It is a tough fact to face, but it’s the truth. London lost one of its finest vegan eateries and London Vegan Drinks lost a dependable source of pre-drinking dinner.

Attendees to London Vegan Drinks will now need to turn to Whole Foods Market and its food providers for sustenance. Here is what you can look forward to eating during the February event.

  • vegan pizza with vegan cheese
  • vegetable quesadillas without cheese or sour cream
  • veggie burger & chips without cheese (these are not cooked on shared grill or deep fryer)
  • jacket potato without cheese
  • vegan beer, vegan wine, vegan cider

As for the WOK station counter, they will have the following vegan options:

  • Tofu with peanut sauce (Sweet Chilli Sauce, Peanut Butter, Gluten Free Soy Sauce, Lemon Juice, Water and Rice Vinegar)
  • Broccoli (seasoning with Gluten Free soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Cooking Sake, Sugar, Sichuan peppercorn and Dried Red Chilli Peppers)
  • Courgette (seasoning with Gluten Free soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Cooking Sake, Sugar, Sichuan peppercorn and Dried Red Chilli Peppers)
  • Aubergine with hoisin sauce (soybeans, sugar, water, salt,  vinegar, garlic)
  • Mixed vegetables (bean sprout, carrots, sweet corns and edamame)

Not a bad eating line up at all, right?!

See you at London Vegan Drinks this Thursday.