It’s pretty hard to ignore the fact that plant-based lifestyles are quickly taking root all over the world, with fast-food giants such as KFC, Subway, and McDonald’s adding vegan and vegetarian items to their menus in a frenzied attempt to keep up with the growing demand for cruelty-free ingredients. The current concerns about global warming and a sustainable future have caused people to stop and seriously consider where their food is coming from, what resources it requires to produce, and which populations, both human and animal, are the most vulnerable as we plow through the natural world filling our bellies.
Whereas historically, in the West, vegetarian and vegan diets have largely been a response to animal welfare advocated for by wacky hippies, in China the tradition of plant-based living is much longer and richer. In fact, that staple of all meat-free diets, tofu, appeared in China during the Han Dynasty roughly 2,000 years ago, forever changing the landscape of Chinese and plant-based cuisine.
Ancient tofu makers
So it’s welcome news that Beijing will finally host its first trade fair for a plant-based lifestyle in cooperation with German-based group VeggieWorld. Held at the Beijing International Convention Center from Nov 8-10 (which incidentally coincides with World Vegan Month), VeggieWorld Beijing will bring together more than 50 vendors and purveyors of plant-based products including clothing and shoes, cosmetics, superfoods and supplements, as well as faux meats, cheeses, and eggs.
While Early Early Bird ticket sales have closed, Early Bird tickets can still be purchased using the QR code on the flyer below from now until November 3 for RMB 48 for one person or RMB 80 for two people, with tickets rising to RMB 58 per person if purchased at the box office on the day of the event.
In addition to the public expo, industry leaders will also be participating in the second Future Food Summit Forum, which will tackle such issues as the future of alternative proteins in China, innovation and technological responses to meat alternatives, and entrepreneurship and investment opportunities in the next generation of food.
Beginning in Wiesbaden, Germany in 2011, VeggieWorld expos have since found homes in 19 cities across ten countries. As the platform continues to grow, so too does the diversity of products and industries represented, proving that plant-based lifestyles aren’t just about diets anymore, and that the sky is the limit for renewable resources and a greener, healthier future.
For more information, click here.
Photos: VeggieWorld, ltl-school.com, theworldlink.com
