On-the-gO vegan However, we vegan options are not only


welcomed when we’re out and about. We are also well received in key places where our health is a priority – such as hospitals. During the height of the pandemic in


The UK’s first vegan-only vending machine


popped up in 2018 after Remi Toth from Bristol struggled to find ‘on-the-go’ vegan snacks. The primary school teacher quickly realised there was a gap in the market and so created Vegan Vend – a line of vegan vending machines that are stocked with around 100 vegan items each including wraps, sandwiches and baked goods. Everything in the machine is sourced from local food producers while the machines are decorated with designs by Bristolian artists. While Remi was initially working with vegans


like her in mind to make finding vegan snacks as easy as possible, she was also aware it may encourage those who aren’t vegan to give vegan food a try. It’s a similar story with Afroposure. Last month


they installed their first vending machine at Peckham Levels – a community hub in South London. The idea behind Afroposure, which was


founded by university friends Josh and Ayo, was triggered by an article on the rise of vending machines in the US. The pair believed vending machines were an underused channel in the UK and they recognised their potential. While the initial plan was to install the vending machine in October, a second national lockdown and further government restrictions meant this was pushed back by eight months. While not 100% vegan, it stocks vegan food and drink items registered with The Vegan Society’s Vegan trademark. Looking back now, Josh and Ayo are


confident the set-back has worked in their favour, as their delayed launch ties in with much excitement and anticipation around restrictions lifting and life returning to normal. Further freedoms will also equal more footfall at Peckham Levels, meaning even more vegans and non-vegans alike will be able to make use of the machine.


October 2020, Vibrant Vegan announced a new partnership with Open Kitchen Co. with plans to install 500 vending machines in hospitals across the UK by 2023, starting with Hillington Hospital in Greater London. The idea was inspired by findings that 78% of NHS workers said they would eat a hot vegan meal if it was available – indicating a significant demand for plant-based food amongst frontline staff. These vending machines will not only ensure that our key workers have easy and quick access to hot and nutritious vegan food whilst at work – a job that involves being on their feet the majority of the time – but also for patients and visitors. While some hospitals do include a plant-based option on their menu and in their canteens (something the society is encouraging via its Catering for Everyone campaign), having vegan-friendly vending machines would provide even more choice for patients and their visiting friends or relatives. It’s clear vending machines could play a


crucial role in getting those who have cut back on animal products to stick with it long-term. People may have found it easy to go vegan when they were at home, with fridges and cupboards full of vegan products, and restaurants and cafes closed. However, the reality is if this interest and excitement around veganism is going to persist, nutritious and cost- effective vegan products are needed at every turn, quashing that temptation to ‘give in’.


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