80 years of The Vegan Society

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The Vegan Society is celebrating 80 years since it was founded in 1944

This year we are reflecting on our history and how far we’ve come to bring veganism into the mainstream. We’re also looking ahead to what is coming next, and where we want to get to in the next 80 years.

Beginning life as an off‑shoot of The Vegetarian Society, The Vegan Society was founded in 1944 by a group of individuals who wanted to make the next step in their ethical journey. The society has grown from a few volunteers with a shared mission, to a dedicated workforce with over 70 members of staff including experts in a whole range of fields. As well as educating individuals and organisations on the many benefits of a vegan lifestyle, The Vegan Society is the go-to resource for information on all aspects of veganism.

Visit our free exhibition in Birmingham

Veganism: Past, Present and Future is a free exhibition running from 17 May to 23 August in the Library of Birmingham. 

Come along and discover how veganism has grown from fringe movement to a mainstream lifestyle. Including fun activities for children! 

Find us in The Gallery on Floor 3 of the Library of Birmingham (Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2ND). The library is open every day from 11am–5pm, except Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. 

Discover the hidden golden treasures in our vegan utopia on desktop for the chance to WIN a FREE £500 John Lewis digital gift card

The Vegan Society has been on the side of animals since 1944. To celebrate 80 years of growth, we are looking at a vegan future 80 years from now with our brand-new campaign: The Future is Vegan. We can create a world in which animals are no longer exploited and live harmoniously with humans, deforestation is eradicated, habitats and endangered species protected – changing our planet for the better. 

The Future is Vegan is a digital interactive world you can explore. Donald Watson, one of The Vegan Society’s key founders, will be your guide. Immerse yourself in our vegan utopia via desktop for your chance to WIN a FREE £500 John Lewis digital gift card! Explorers, to enter simply answer two riddles to find two hidden golden treasures. The competition ends on Sunday 19 October and terms and conditions apply. 

Vegan Trademark

One of our most significant contributions to the vegan movement is the creation of the Vegan Trademark, which has become a trusted symbol for consumers worldwide. Over the past 35 years, the Vegan Trademark has played a pivotal role in helping brands bring innovative vegan-certified products to market, supporting both consumers and businesses in the vegan industry. Founded in 1990, the Vegan Trademark was created as a simple yet powerful tool to help consumers easily identify products that align with their values. The trademark has empowered shoppers to make informed choices, leading to increased accessibility of vegan products across the globe.  

Today, the Vegan Trademark is internationally recognised, surpassing over 70,000 product registrations across 68 countries. These products span a diverse range of sectors, including food and drink, cosmetics, toiletries, fashion, homeware, raw materials and more. From multinational giants like Alpro, ASDA, and Burger King to trailblazing start-ups, the Vegan Trademark collaborates with businesses of all sizes to ensure the highest standards of vegan certification. Notable partners include well-known brands such as LUSH, Quorn, Wagamama, and the society’s longest-running trademark holder, Bio-D, which has been certified since the Vegan Trademark’s inception.  

Support our work to help build a vegan future

Whether you have been vegan for a long time, are completely new to veganism or are simply curious, everyone is welcome! Be the first to find out about the latest vegan news and support our work to make the planet better for humans and animals alike. 

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