New polling shows growing Canadian interest in plant-based diets, driven by cost savings, ethics, and environmental concerns.
The poll was conducted by Bryant Research on behalf of Humane World for Animals has found that the majority of Canadians want to increase their consumption of plant-based foods.
24% of respondents said they were already actively trying to eat more plant-based products, while a further 30% were interested in increasing their consumption of these foods. This adds up to a total of 54%, representing an increase from similar polls conducted in previous years (Neilsen, 2017; Charlebois, Somogyi and Music 2018).
The most common reason for choosing a plant-forward diet was reducing food costs, which was cited by 33% of participants. 30% mentioned compassion for animals, while 29% said reduced environmental impact was a factor. 23% wanted to lower their risk of chronic disease, and 21% mentioned preventing antibiotic resistance.
Humane World for Animals Canada believes these figures signal a lasting shift in attitudes toward food in the country. The organization encourages industry leaders to collaborate with its Forward Food program, which offers resources to help businesses integrate plant-based items into their menus.
Making plant-based choices easy
Despite these positive signs, the survey also reveals barriers to plant-based eating. 45% of respondents cited cost as a challenge; this is somewhat surprising, since many other participants thought a plant-forward diet could reduce their food bill. Furthermore, 38% said plant-based foods needed improvements in taste and texture, while 33% were concerned about nutrition. Additionally, 30% said family preferences were a barrier, 25% were worried about limited variety, and 19% mentioned a lack of cooking skills.
Humane World for Animals says food service establishments, manufacturers, and retailers could address these challenges by using lower-cost ingredients, offering incentives for consumers to try new products, communicating the nutritional benefits of plant-based foods, ensuring plenty of variety, and providing recipes or cooking tips. Many survey respondents agreed that the government should invest in diversified protein production, and that more sustainable proteins should be prioritized in public institutions such as hospitals, schools, and prisons.
“The takeaway is clear: consumers are increasingly gravitating towards more plant-forward meals, seeing that they simply make sense for their wallets, their values, and the planet,” said Riana Topan, program director for farmed animal protection at Humane World for Animals Canada. “When governments, institutions, and food businesses make plant-based choices easy and delicious, they’re not just meeting the growing demand — they’re helping build a healthier, more just and sustainable food system.”
Original source: https://vegconomist.com
