Vegan markets “shouldn’t force their agenda down people’s throats”, according to a plant based trader in Sheffield and that the market is “quite a chilled introduction into veganism.”

Alex Harker, 40, owner of vegan company The Adventurous Cakebook, made the comments at Sunday’s market at the Moor.

He said : “Now there’s loads of us and you don’t have to force your agenda down people’s throats, people can just have it because it’s lovely and the bonus is its plant based.” 

Returning to Sheffield quarterly through the year, the market stalls hold a range of entirely vegan produce ranging from pastries, baked goods, candles, craft brewers, ethical jewellers and more. 

 He added the vegan industry in Sheffield “is really strong and growing all the time” with various veganized bakeries such as Lovely Rita’s Bakehouse and Yay! Flapjacks selling a range of sweet and savoury goods.  

The market has set out to sell quality vegan products that can be enjoyed by all and prompt the consumption of more sustainable produce and products that are universal foodie favourites. 

Chris Fryer, 42, co-founder of pie business Magpye, said: “ Its what we set out to do when we started Magpye providing traditional comfort food items to those who are vegan vegetarian or just looking to cut down on their meat intake without sacrificing things they used to enjoy.”

Adopting a vegan lifestyle became increasingly mainstream through the 2010’s which involves removing all meat and animal made products such as eggs, cheese, milk from your diet. 

The diet is based in being environmentally aware and sustainable with the meat industry producing 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions. 

Tray Wilson, a member of Forge Bakehouse, said: “The planet is dancing a climate emergency and we will do everything we can to reduce our environmental impact.

“We hope to educate consumers that taste along with health, environmental, ethical benefits can co- exist in a single bite of something delicious.”  

A vegan diet is also beneficial for a range of health concerns such as lowering cholesterol, colon cancer,or for general weight loss. 

The market has over 50 locations across the Uk and is expanding with some of the biggest in cities such as Leeds, Chelmsford, Newcastle, Bury Manchester and Oxford. 

The market will return to Sheffield on July 28 taking place adjacent to the moor market. 

The Vegan Market Co. on their website said: “  We’ve supported over 2000 companies with our events so far and we’re constantly working to bring more into our ecosystem.”
To apply to host your own stall  at one of the various locations or to find out more visit,  https://www.veganmarkets.co.uk/calendar