There are three things that Richmond is full of: tattoos, bikes and vegans. In fact, in 2013, PETA named Richmond, Virginia no. 10 of the most vegan-friendly cities in America (No. 1 Is Austin, Texas). The growing vegan population in Richmond is evident in the many diverse vegan-friendly restaurants located in the area, including Ipanema, Harrison Street Café and Strange-Matter, all of which are located near the Monroe Park Campus. Richmond is also known for its annual Vegetarian Festival. Because of the growing popularity, awareness and acceptance of veganism, a vegan diet is increasingly easier to make interesting and varied.
Despite this, VCU is not one of the top vegan-friendly universities in America. VCU has options for vegan diets, but they are narrow. Schafer dining hall has salads, sushi, beans, fries, and hummus available, which are usually the only options. Croutons serves veggie wraps and salads. Nao and Zen offers stir-fry bowls and sushi that can be customized to a vegan diet. However, for students relying on the meal plan, this is an extremely limited diet. A vegan diet does not have to be restricted to sad salads and tofu. What about vegan yogurt, vegan cheese, vegan pancakes, vegan pastries, vegan soups, vegan stir-fry or any of the other hundred easy vegan meal options that exist? Vegan students should be given better and more varied options to fit their lifestyle choices.
Ashley Reid, a sophomore at VCU, is a vegan and is disappointed in the vegan options VCU offers.
“While the options are there, they are still unfairly limited in availability,” Reid said. “Hopefully, VCU will catch on and up their vegan game sometime soon.”
Until VCU does improve their vegan options, remember to hug a vegan on November first, which is World Vegan Day, and remember to provide vegan-friendly meals at your next event!Â
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