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GRBJ: Grand Rapids is catering to vegans, vegetarians

July Gallup poll says more Americans consider themselves vegans compared to six years ago.
Earlier this month, 18 people signed up for Brewery Vivant's first vegan beer dinner, which offered five vegan courses and beer pairings. Courtesy Brewery Vivant

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRBJ) - Local restaurants are changing their menus to accommodate vegetarians and vegans.

Jim Powell, corporate executive chef of Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, said his restaurant has received many requests for vegetarian and vegan meals. He said Noto’s will be adding vegan food items on the menu at its Grand Rapids location this fall and its Grand Haven location already offers vegan options.

“There are so many requests for it now from people in their 20s and 30s for lifestyle choices, health choices or because they are just bored with traditional meat-based cooking,” Powell said. “There is a lot more call for it.”

Outside of special events, Powell said about 150 people visit his restaurant per day and about 10 percent order vegetarian meals.

Nationally, however, the percentage of people who consider themselves vegetarians only account for 5 percent of the U.S. population, according to a July Gallup poll. During the same month in 2012, the Gallup poll noted the same percentage.

In the July Gallup poll, 3 percent of Americans consider themselves vegans — a 1 percent increase from the same time six years ago.

Despite the low percentage nationally, Grand Rapids Veg Fest co-founder Erica Wisniewski said since starting in 2015, organizers have seen growth in the annual plant-based expo that includes food that is free of animal products, as well as speakers, cooking demonstrations, vendors and food sampling.

“Every year, we have had a heavy increase in attendance and we have had more vendors with all kinds of plant-based food,” Wisniewski said. “The first year, we had about 1,200 (attendees), and last year, we had 2,000. For us, that is a huge increase.”

Wisniewski said she believes GR Veg Fest this year, which is scheduled for Oct. 7 at DeltaPlex Arena, will have a lot more people.

To read the entire story, pick up a copy of the Grand Rapids Business Journal or visit their website.

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