A series of vegan festivals across the UK are set to return this year after last year's success. The events, hosted by Vegan Festival UK, will take place throughout the year, the latest having been in Heather’s childhood neighbourhood of Newcastle.
Heather was invited as a special guest to the Newcastle event.
The annual festivals offer an insight into veganism, giving visitors the opportunity to sample inspiring and tasty new vegan food.
The festivals also offer visitors an array of free samples, discounted products and a varied selection of vegan food stalls and clothing products.
One of the main features and a draw for the crowds at the festival are the Feature Talks and cooking demonstrations from select individuals and renowned businesses in the vegan world.
Heather spoke for an hour at Newcastle City Centre to a packed room about her own personal experience of life as a vegan, including the benefits of being vegan for the body and mind and the welfare of the animals and the environment.
Members of the crowd who weren’t vegan said afterwards they felt very inspired to try meat-free and diary-free options as an alternative to their current everyday diet.
Heather also announced franchise opportunities within her global food company, VBites. Having a degree in nutrition and being the creator of her own international line of vegan products, Heather was happy to take on questions from the public and offer advice regarding starting a business and making it a success.
For more information about becoming a VBites franchisee, click here.
Heather said:
“How proud am I as a Geordie and fellow vegan to see such a festival appear in the heart of Northumberland. Even my primary school sports teacher, Mr Piers, turned up!
When I was a kid meat was considered the cornerstone of a good diet. Luckily for us it was too expensive, so though we felt deprived at the time, we were blessed, little did we know.
Many years later when I became a vegan I realised that an alternate to meat would help others go through the transitional period to save their health, the animals, and the environment.
Now, VBites Foods is the biggest meatless meat manufacturer in the world. All dreams of saving lives, both animal and human are do-able, you must just take that leap of faith.”
VBites was created by Heather in 2009, and has since become one of the world’s largest suppliers of vegan food, having recently won the 'Best Vegan Meat’ at Bradford Vegan Festival on Saturday, 24th June, 2017.
Several VBites products were also up for awards, and VBites proudly won the prestigious 'Best Vegan Meat' (which it won) and 'Best Vegan Cheese' categories (click here to see the winners of each category).
Previous awards won by VBites include best meat-free product in the PETA food awards 2015, best vegan cheese brand 2014 by Cook Vegetarian, and best faux fish by the British animal rights activist group Viva! (Vegetarians' International Voice for Animals). It has also been named as the UK’s most ethical vegan food supplier for five years running, as well as winning a host of other commendations.
The winners of the awards were announced at the Bradford Vegan Festival on Saturday, 24th June, 2017.
Click here to see the winners of each category.
To find out more about upcoming vegan festivals, including dates and venues, visit: veganfestival.co.uk
