As part of this instalment in Guests’ Corner, I chatted to ProVeg SA.
ProVeg International is a “global food awareness organisation” on a mission to create a world wherein humans and animals enjoy a better quality of life.
Their goal is to reduce animal consumption by 50% come 2040 and in so doing, help our planet.
They have branches across Europe, the States, China and South Africa.
1) Please can you tell us a bit about ProVeg as a whole?
ProVeg International is a global food awareness organisation. Our mission is to reduce the global consumption of animals by 50% by 2040. We want to create a world where everyone chooses delicious, healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet.
ProVeg International is active in Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Czechia, the United States of America, China and South Africa.
All our branches work according to our five pros. Namely, ProTaste, ProHealth, ProEnvironment, ProJustice and ProHealth.
2) Please can you explain how ProVeg works locally in South Africa?
ProVeg South Africa (ProVeg SA) has been active since early 2018. Since then, our team has grown to nine employees, including two interns.
ProVeg SA is based primarily in Cape Town. However, we have employees and volunteers across the country.
Our regional teams of volunteers are located in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. But we are open to anyone that wants to join.
We work with food industry leaders, researchers, chefs and restaurants, consumers and the government. We strive to promote food choices that are better for all humans, animals and the environment.
Our major work areas include campaigns (see more info below), media/PR, and working with corporates. We encourage menu and recipe development towards more plant-based options.
3) What is the goal for ProVeg going forwards in South Africa?
ProVeg South Africa’s goal is in line with that of ProVeg International’s 50by40 mission. Our efforts are tailored to the population of South Africa.
Our country has its unique challenges and strengths when it comes to the food sector. It is up to ProVeg South Africa to take that into account when trying to reform current food systems.
We aim to work with more companies to increase the availability of plant-based products. We want to help them certify their products as vegan (through V-Label).
Additionally, we want to create awareness about the power our diets have in combatting climate change and bettering our health.
ProVeg has several campaigns to create awareness about the benefits of plant-based living. These include our Veganuary campaign, our international Diet Change Not Climate Change campaign and our Braai Day campaign.
4) Please tell us about some of the exciting projects or goals you have for 2022?
Veganuary South Africa
Veganuary is a global campaign that encourages people to try a plant-based diet during January.
Since 2014, Veganuary has inspired and supported more than one million people in 192 countries to try vegan for January – and beyond.
The organisation has encouraged businesses to drive up vegan food provision in shops and restaurants. We have made veganism more visible and accessible through our work with national and international media.
ProVeg SA is the official local partner for Veganuary.
Diet Change, Not Climate Change
This is a global annual campaign run by ProVeg International to create awareness and educate consumers about the strong countering effects of our diet on climate change.
Animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change. By reducing our consumption of animals and animal products, we significantly reduce our carbon footprint and slow down global warming.
Braai Day: Celebrating a Plant-based Heritage Day
Heritage Day (24 September) is often celebrated around a braai with family and friends. So much so, that it is now branded as ‘Braai Day’.
Every year, ProVeg South Africa organises an epic plant-based braai on Heritage Day to showcase just how tasty and fun it can be!
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, our 2020 and 2021 braais were just a team braai. But, in past years, we have had over 250 people attending our fully plant-based Braai Day event. We plan to grow this in the future.
We also have smaller campaigns like World Plant Milk Day, Meatless May, World Vegan Month and more.
5) Is there any way for the public to support these projects/goals? And if so, how can we get involved and contribute?
Spread the word online, volunteer and donate.
Any member of the public can become a ProVeg volunteer in our three established cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
If someone wants to become a volunteer but does not live in and around these cities, they can contact ProVeg South Africa. We look at the possibility of starting a new regional group in their city or town.
ProVeg South Africa is a registered nonprofit organisation and an S18A charitable organisation. This means donations to us are now tax-deductible. Also, we can now provide donors with the necessary SARS documentation.
We rely strongly on donations to continue our work. Donations can be made on our website or on our campaign crowdfunding profiles. These go up ahead of big campaigns for a limited time.
It’s best to follow us on social media.
6) I am someone who, for the past 2-3 years now, has been actively trying to eat more plant-based meals. Mainly to cut down on my meat and animal product consumption as much as I can.
But, if, like me, people are not ready or perhaps are not able to give up meat and animal products entirely: what are your tips for helping them to discover or enjoy plant-based meals more?
Especially in a country like South Africa where we are known for our love of braaing and enjoying good meat etc.
ProVeg SA encourages both a reduction and complete abstinence from meat. It is up to each individual to take this journey on in a way that is safe and sustainable to them.
We recommend following a whole foods plant-based diet and relying less on processed products.
That being said, meat, dairy and egg alternatives are wonderful transitional foods for people wanting to move from an omnivorous to a plant-based diet.
Balance is the key. ProVeg SA prides itself on being a go-to source for reliable information and tips on plant-based living. From where to buy affordable plant-based products to where to find a plant-based dietician to help you with your transition.
If they have any questions, anyone is welcome to contact ProVeg SA for more info or resources.
7) Your website and social feeds have a lot of excellent, insightful information about plant-based eating and lifestyles.
What else do you offer/do to educate the public?
We regularly facilitate and host online panel discussions on topics related to plant-based living.
Our webinars provide the opportunity for individuals to tap into discussions about plant-based diets free of charge.
The best way to keep up-to-date with our webinars is to sign up for our newsletter.
Our newsletter is another wonderful resource for plant-based news, competitions, events and opportunities to join the ProVeg team. (The subscription form can be found on our website.)
We also offer school talks for both primary and high school learners and staff. We are trained and equipped to give informative talks at schools about plant-based living.
8) I see you also have a section on vegan fashion on your website.
Can you tell us a bit more about that movement and how we, as consumers, can try to adopt a more vegan-friendly fashion mindset?
ProVeg is a food awareness organisation with a focus on changing current food systems for the betterment of humankind, animals and the environment.
So even though we are focused on the food sector, we are aware of the fact that animals are affected by the fashion and cosmetics industries daily.
Those who are interested in a vegetarian/vegan way of life often begin with changing their diet. Once that is done, various other areas of life often involve animal products.
Fashion, cosmetics and animal testing are frequently debated topics. Just like with making good food choices, a person needs to know the source of ingredients.
Also, look at the effects that the manufacturing process of fashion or cosmetic items have on animals and the environment.
Other organisations, like HSI International, work directly to try move fashion away from animals. They run very successful fur-ban campaigns around the world.
Beauty without Cruelty South Africa specialises in certifying cosmetics as cruelty-free. (You’ll see the BWC bunny on approved cosmetics in all major stores.)
9) You advertise a 30-day ProVeg Veggie Challenge. Please tell us a bit more about this.
The ProVeg Veggie Challenge encourages everyone to reduce their intake of animals and animal products for 30 days.
You have the option to choose between wanting to go vegan or vegetarian. Alternatively, you can simply have a few meat-free days for a month.
ProVeg helps you along the way via daily emails with free tips, recipes and support.
With the free Veggie Challenge online community, get in touch with other participants and exchange tips and recipes.
We have had more than 470 000 participants partake in the Veggie Challenge internationally and a growing number each year.
Go to www.proveg.com/veggie-challenge/ to sign up.
To read about and see all of ProVeg’s causes and campaigns, you can visit their amazing website.
Or follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Note: All photos – with the exception of my own – were supplied by ProVeg South Africa. These images were used with their express permission.
A very special thanks to ProVeg South Africa and Arleen Nel for this interview.
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