With only 11 years to meet the earth’s climate change goals, we need to act now. This may seem daunting, but the great news is there is something simple each of us can do. One of the biggest differences we can make is to eat less meat and adopt a plant-based diet. The Vegetarian Society makes it easy, fun and practical for more people to do but we can’t do it without the support of our members.
Eating veggie food is the most important thing an individual can do to help the climate crisis. Vegetables need less water, less land and create less greenhouse gas than livestock. By becoming a member you are helping more people eat to beat climate change.
Membership donations allow us to provide free cookery classes to community groups, which helps with mindfulness and well-being. For example we have worked with groups of people who have experienced domestic abuse, mental health and carers groups.
Each year members' donations encourage more people to eat plant-based food during National Vegetarian Week. 2019 was a great success, we asked people to make 50 small veggie changes. Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, and BOSH were some of the celebrities to get involved.
We work with hundreds of schools across the UK to teach them how eating more veggie food will help the planet!
We represent our members' views to leading supermarkets, companies and policymakers. Last year we represented member’s views at a House of Lords select committee on the proposed EU ban on meat related terms when describing vegetarian and vegan food. The committee were so convinced by members' arguments, they suggested to the Minister of Agriculture to reject the bill.
What else do I get as a member?
You will be in the know: You will be kept up to date with all things veggie and vegan through your members’ magazine The Vegetarian and regular members’ newsletter.
You will get amazing discounts: There are hundreds of incredible discounts which members can take advantage of. From Holland & Barrett and Nakd, to VBites and Leighton Brown – there is something for everyone!
You will have a voice in vegetarian and vegan issues important to you: Members are key to shaping the face of vegetarianism and veganism in the UK. They have influenced leading supermarkets, resulting in better ranges. Members have changed EU policy describing vegetarian and vegan food and have had their say on the National Food Strategy, which aims to improve the food system in the UK.
