With summer just around the corner and lockdown finally feeling like it’s coming to an end, we’re all looking forward to picnics outside with friends. And whether you’re a die-hard vegan or just wanting to make sure your plant-based pals aren’t left out, we’ve rounded up five of the best vegan snacks to bring to your picnic.
1. Gregg’s vegan sausage roll
Everybody’s favourite, the Gregg’s vegan sausage roll costs just £1.20 from Gregg’s itself, or £2.50 for a four-pack from Iceland. The best part? The vegan sausage roll isn’t just delicious, it’s also majorly environmentally friendly. The Quorn filling has a much smaller carbon footprint than the non-vegan pork roll, and producing it uses far less water and land. Same goes for the Gregg’s vegan stake bake – mycoprotein has a carbon footprint ten times smaller than beef, and it uses about 20 times less water.
2. Vegan Galaxy & NOMO bars
Replace your dairy chocolate this summer with vegan alternatives that are just as good! A glass of dairy milk results in greenhouse gas emissions almost three times greater than any plant-based substitutes. These non-dairy choices allow you to keep enjoying chocolate almost guilt- free. If you’re going to eat chocolate, eat products which don’t have a negative impact on the environment.
3. TREK
Replace dairy and honey-filled flapjack and protein bars with the 100% plant-based TREK products! Honeybees are just one of 270 species of bees in the UK – they contribute comparably little to the pollination cycle on which our crops depend and displace the greater contributors needed for the agricultural crops we consume.
4. Quiche
With one pound of eggs requiring around 480 gallons of water, they hurt the environment more than you think. If you’re looking to make your own, tofu is one of the best egg replacers – you can find many at-home plant-based quiche recipes. If you’re looking to buy one already prepared, brands such as Clive’s and Higgidy provide some scrummy shop-bought options.
5. Wicked Kitchen Smashin’ Pumpkin Falafel Sandwich
With Seaspiracy having recently come out, exposing the negative impact of fishing on our planet, now is the time to avoid classic sandwich combinations such as smoked salmon and tuna. With avoiding meat and dairy becoming the single biggest way to reduce your impact on the earth, Wicked Kitchen offers a great plant-based sandwich selection – with their ‘Smashin’ Pumpkin Falafel Sandwich’ being one of their most popular.
This summer, you can do your bit to fight against climate change, all whilst having a yummy picnic.