Veggie burgers, and other plant-based meat alternatives, have been in the news recently thanks to an attempt by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) to ban calling plant-based products names kike burger and sausage – names they believe should be reserved only for meat products.
Local food awareness NGO ProVeg South Africa, which was right in the centre of the so-called “Veggie Burger Ban”-debate, would rather the government, and the press, focus on the benefits of eating more plant-based options. While health, the environment, and animal welfare are the benefits most commonly associated with the meat-free movements, ProVeg believes that taste is also a big benefit, and to demonstrate this they hosted a 100% plant-based braai to celebrate Heritage Day and cooked over 1 200 plant-based burgers – breaking an unofficial world record for the largest vegan barbecue.
The previous record was set by The Fry Family Food Co. where they aimed to hand out 1 000 plant-based burgers in Birmingham, England in 2018.
“What makes breaking this informal record very special, is that this was a record achieved by a community of brands, like Infinite Foods, Fry’s, Woolworths, Urban Vegan, Outcast Foods, Veggiewors, B-well, Pesto Princess, and many more, who all believe in a common cause and not just a PR opportunity,” Donovan Will, ProVeg South Africa Country Director, said. “Next year we’re excited to have more partners on board and break the record again.”
The Plant-Based Heritage Day Braai has been an annual instalment for the local branch of the international food awareness organisation ProVeg International since 2018. The festivities had to be significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and that is why ProVeg South Africa went big this time around, hoping that this event will continue to grow and have more non-vegans in attendance.
“This event allows us to prove to non-vegans that a braai can be just as delicious if it’s plant-based. This way it is also better for the environment and animals,” Will added.
“The Plant-based Heritage Day Braai was an amazing event that showcased the wide range of remarkable plant-based products available as well as a diverse multicultural range of people who are interested in attending and supporting plant-based events,” said Rebecca Espin, ProVeg South Africa Events Assistant.
Added to the plant-based burgers and boerie rolls, guests’ plates were filled with potato salad made by the ProVeg team and their volunteers with SA’s favourite vegan mayonnaise, B-well.
Another standout of the day was local retailer giant Woolworths who provided delicious sides like corn riblets and salads, as well as an assortment of their vegan-friendly dessert range.
“At Woolworths, we offer a very wide range of delicious, top-quality plant-based food products,” says Daisy Masiangoako, Senior Marketing Manager for Woolworths Foods. “The opportunity to participate in an event such as this, on a day in which we celebrate the variety of cultures and backgrounds we have in South Africa, was great fun and allowed us to show that whatever your dietary preference, you can still enjoy a delicious braai.”
On top of low ticket prices, and an abundance of delicious plant-based braai food, the day also offered a relaxing getaway to Capetonians of all ages. Even four-legged Capetonians were welcome to attend. There was also a designated children’s area with a delightful jumping castle. Many of the guests were not vegan and were amazed by the products on offer.
“How incredible it was to see the plant-based community come together so beautifully for this important event. Now more than ever we need to show South Africa how delicious, versatile and mainstream plant-based foods are – and a mammoth braai like this was the perfect way to do that. We were honoured to be a part of it,” said Genevieve Cutts, Head of Global PR & Communications for The Live Kindly Co., which includes The Fry Family Food Co. and Oumph!.
