Vegetarian Butchers are Gaining Popularity, and the Meat Industry is Scared Sh*tless

Demand for vegetarian food is on the rise. In fact, a recent Telegraph article highlights the growing number of entirely vegetarian or vegan butcher shops:
So-called ‘vegetarian butchers’ are popping up across the globe, selling products that mimic meat but contain no animal flesh at all. Their counters are brimming with chicken, ham, meatballs, minced beef, steak—even seafood—that purportedly looks, feels and tastes like the real deal, but are actually made from plant protein.
Just last month, America’s first-ever vegan butcher shop, The Herbivorous Butcher, opened its doors in Minneapolis! Owned by brother and sister duo Aubry and Kale Walch, the shop offers 35 vegan meats as well as cheeses and butters.

The article also spotlights Holland-based Vegetarian Butcher, which sells “an innovative range of meatless meat and fish claimed to be ‘indistinguishable from the real thing’ to restaurants in 13 countries.

The author continues:
Meat-mad Spain now boasts the plant-butcher chain La Carnicera Vegatariana, and sausage-loving Germany will have its own Vegetarian Butcher outlet by June. And there’s not just mock meat—fake fish is making waves too. Last year, one of the world’s first vegan fish and chip shops opened in Sydney offering ocean-flavoured plant protein “seafood.
A recent National Hog Farmer article provides insight into the meat industry’s heightened anxiety over the popularity of veg eating. The author claims vegetarian businesses calling themselves butchers are “plain unethical.

Also, how ridiculous is it to object to a vegetarian butcher on moral grounds and not take issue with the horrific abuse animals suffer before being slaughtered for meat? Get real.

As more people become aware of the egregious animal cruelty and vast environmental destruction involved in meat production, the demand for humane veg alternatives will only continue to grow.

Luckily, with all of the delicious vegan products already on the market, there’s never been a better time to adopt a healthy and humane meat-free diet.

Click here for a list of our favorite vegan meats.

(Photo by The Herbivorous Butcher)