As Plant-Based Sector Grows 700%, Manchester Vegan Christmas Festival Offers Inspiration

Data from Mintel Global New Product Database has found that between 2015 and 2021, the number of new consumer packaged goods launched with a plant-based claim has grown by nearly 700% and accounted for 12% of launches in 2021 (Mintel GNPD 2015 – 2021)[1]. Vegan Events UK has a series of inspiring festivals and markets, including the Manchester Vegan Christmas Festival on 20th November, which provides a one-stop shop for everything plant-based and vegan.

Manchester Vegan Christmas Festival is a huge vegan extravaganza taking place on Sunday 20th November 2022. The indoor event boasts over 60 fantastic stalls, world food caterers, some traditional Christmas food, free food to try plus a wide range of inspirational Christmas gift ideas for all ages.

Caterers include Manchester-based House of Habesha, who will be offering a delicious range of authentic home-styled dishes all the way from East Africa. Seitan’s Kebab will be serving their vegan kebabs on a traditional flatbread, freshly made at a local Lebanese bakery. And VDogs will be selling their irresistible range of freshly cooked to order vegan hotdogs.

Salford-based DevilDog sauces will be selling their tasty range of flavoursome chilli sauces, and Manchester-based Gillie Foods will be selling their delicious range of Asian dishes. Kind Hearted Chocs is a small vegan Manchester-based business specialising in the most delicious selection of handmade vegan chocolates.

Other local stalls include Manchester-based itreatskin which sells 100% natural products for eczema, acne, psoriasis, plain-and-simple dry skin. Northern Lashes is a lash company founded in Greater Manchester – they are an eco friendly company providing handmade vegan lash products, with revolutionary eco friendly packaging. The Sea Moss Elixir make a range of drinks hand-crafted in Manchester, that are not only tasteful but bring herbal healing and vital nutrients in every bottle.

Salford-based Saco Superfoods work directly with small scale women producers in West Africa, selling a range of superfoods including Organic Mango, Baobab Powder, Hibiscus Flower and Ginger Flakes.

There is a also a stall selling Bo's Book, a new vegan cookbook that makes an ideal Christmas gift and features simple, easy-to-follow recipes (for both dogs and humans!) with all the profits going to help needy dogs at animal welfare and education charity Miracle's Mission.

Miracle’s Mission will be attending, which is a non-profit animal welfare organisation that works with sick, injured and disabled animals worldwide. Its mission is to provide a place of safety for animals in danger, to educate on the needs of neutering both pets and strays and to neuter stray dogs and cats to prevent the birth of more animals onto the streets. It also rehabilitates and re-homes dogs in need, often with disabilities, from its UK rescue base.

Also exhibiting is the ultimate vegan food and camping experience happening in June 2023 – VFest UK. This brand new upbeat event features exciting headline acts, yoga, family entertainment, fun shows, international speakers, stalls, global food caterers and much more.

The Manchester Vegan Christmas Festival takes place on Sunday 20th November 2022 from 10.30am to 4.30pm at Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Longbridge Road, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester, M17 1SN. Entry is £5 payable per day on the door (under 16s free) or £15 for VIP tickets in advance from Eventbrite to include fast track entry and a goody bag full of vegan products, samples, discounts and offers. To find out more information please visit www.veganeventsuk.co.uk or find them on Facebook.