Want to stay current on all the vegan news? Check out this roundup!
PLANTA Opens New Locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.
PLANTA is a vegan restaurant group that has opened more than 10 restaurants in North America since its inception in 2016. This year, PLANTA is adding three more locations to its repertoire. PLANTA Queen—the brand’s Asian-inspired concept—opened in Washington D.C. last month. This month, the West Coast will be getting its first PLANTA concept when PLANTA Cocina opens in Marina Del Rey. The brand has also announced a second LA location opening this summer in Brentwood.
Courtesy of PLANTA
Vegan Vitamin Brand Future Kind Now Carried at The Vitamin Shoppe
Future Kind—an Australian plant-based vitamin brand founded by vegan nutritionists—announced a massive deal earlier this month with The Vitamin Shoppe. The eco-friendly vegan brand can now be found at 500 The Vitamin Shoppe locations across the United States. Future Kind offers everything from vegan gummy vitamins and multivitamins to vegan collagen.
Courtesy of Future Kind
Whole Foods Co-Founder Opens Nutrition-Backed Vegan Restaurant in Culver City
Another vegan restaurant opened in LA this month, but this one is a little different than the rest. Love.Life was created by Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey, who brought in medical professionals, nutritionists, and human performance specialists to help him create the fully vegan menu. Guests will be able to scan QR codes on the menu to receive a wealth of information on each dish, such as the complete nutrition profile and functional benefits of the ingredients. Like Whole Foods, Love.Life’s kitchen is free from artificial ingredients and uses minimal hydrogenated fats, sugar, and salt.
Courtesy of Love.Life
Beyond Steak Lands Certification from the American Heart Association
This month, Beyond Meat became the first plant-based meat company to meet the American Heart Association’s criteria for heart-healthy nutrition by becoming certified by the association’s Heart-Check Food Certification Program. Moving forward, Beyond Steak products will feature a heart checkmark on its packaging, indicating to consumers that the product contains reduced cholesterol and sodium, low saturated and trans fat, and more than 10% of the daily value of essential nutrients. Beyond Steak packs a heart-healthy ratio of 21g of plant protein to only 1g of saturated fat per serving.
Courtesy of Beyond Meat
Walmart Brings in Vegan Cheese Brand Misha’s
Black-owned and small-batch vegan cheese company Misha’s is undergoing its first major retail expansion. The brand has partnered with Walmart to bring its creative and soft vegan cheeses to the masses. This month, Walmart shoppers in California, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and Washington will be able to purchase Misha’s vegan cheese in-store. Four flavors from Misha’s extensive product line will be available initially, including the popular flavor of Black Truffle. Further expansion plans to more states are in progress, so stay tuned!
Courtesy of Misha’s
Kevin Hart’s Vegan Fast-Food Chain to Open Two More LA Locations
Hart House has been making waves this past year as the vegan fast-food chain has begun to open locations in and around Los Angeles. Founded on the principles of accessibility and affordability, Hart House is bringing vegan options to Angelenos that won’t break the bank (seriously, a vegan burger for $6!). Hart House already has two locations in Monrovia and Westchester and announced this week plans to open two more LA locations. The Hollywood location will open at the end of this month on Sunset Boulevard and will feature a drive-thru and both indoor and outdoor seating. The chain has also announced plans to open a fourth location on the USC campus, though the date for opening has yet to be determined.
Courtesy of Hart House
Vegan Donut and Scoop Shop Opens in Fort Worth, Texas
Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops recently opened in Forth Worth, Texas as a fully vegan donut and ice cream shop. From the minds behind Spiral Diner—a small Texan diner chain serving up vegan comfort food—Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops is bringing more vegan dessert options to Forth Worth. Dreamboat features homemade vegan donuts (including some gluten-free options!) as well as eight rotating flavors of homemade vegan ice cream. Donut options will include classic flavors like traditional glaze and maple frosted, as well as some seasonal and unique flavors like Earl Grey Lavender and Blueberry Orange. And if you’re wondering if you can order a scoop of ice cream to go on top of your donut … the answer is a resounding yes!
Photo by Noah Stephenson
New Rotating Vegan Concept & Beer Opens in New York’s East Village
& Beer is the latest innovative restaurant concept to come out of New York. This concept features a focused and rotating selection of vegan food paired with a curated beer menu. First up is Mushrooms & Beer: a menu in which each dish is inspired by mushrooms. Menu highlights include Lion’s Mane dumplings and chocolate and truffle ravioli. Mushrooms & Beer will call & Beer home for the next few months, but expect to see new pop-up concepts come out of the restaurant as the seasons change. & Beer has plans to feature Egyptian cuisine, BBQ, and sushi in the future. And of course, the beer menu will be curated to fit each concept!
Courtesy of & Beer
