More Americans are Eating Plant-Based during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Despite the overall negative consequences surrounding the coronavirus, some good news has indeed arisen. A recent research survey conducted by self.inc tracked the Personal Spending Habits of Americans During COVID-19. This study shows that in fact 23% of Americans are eating more plant-based. [1] On a side note, this study surveyed over 1,300 people across all ages throughout the United States of America.
Researchers found that among the various age groups shifting towards plant-based diets, those aged 18-24 (29%) were the largest age group to engage with more plant-based foods during the pandemic. As we can see, the youth of today is helping save the environment through their tendency to transition towards plant-based lifestyles to best help Mother Earth. To see just how this works in more detail, visit my earlier blog entitled “10 Ways Eating Plant-Based Saves the World.”
COVID-19 has forced us to re-evaluate many areas of our lives. When more people are staying home to stay safe in this pandemic, they have started cooking more meals at home. Over two-thirds of people are experimenting in the kitchen and many of them are experimenting with cooking healthy plant based meals. [2]
Moreover, the coronavirus has put the meat processing industry into a tailspin which has contributed quite positively towards a great surge in plant-based alternatives such as Tuno, the Impossible Burger, and the Beyond Burger. [3]
Moreover, compared to the same time period last year, foods such as dried beans, rice, and black beans have experienced major increases in consumption [4]. According to data and information firm Nielsen, the weeks ending March 7 and March 14 saw the following increases respectively: Sales of dried beans rocketed by 62.9 percent and 230.5 percent, rice sales increased by 57.5 percent and 166.1 percent, and garbanzo (chickpea) sales soared by 47.3 percent and 156.8 percent. This information is also displayed in Table 1 displayed below.
| Product | Week ending March 7 | Week ending March 14 |
| Dried Beans | + 62.9 percent | + 230.5 percent |
| Rice | + 57.5 percent | + 166.1 percent |
| Garbanzos (Chickpeas) | + 47.3 percent | + 156.8 percent |
| Fresh Vegan Meat | + 206.4 percent | + 279.8 percent |
| Fully Cooked Vegan Meat | + 27.1 percent | + 84.6 percent |
Table 1 displays the percent increases in sales for some selected plant-based foods during two weeks in Spring 2020 as compared to those same weeks the previous year, 2019.
Also displayed above in Table 1 is a large spike in fresh vegan meat which saw a huge sales increase of 279.8 percent week ending March 14, and 206.4 percent the week before that. Additionally, fully cooked vegan meat also saw sales increase by 27.1 percent week ending March 7, and 84.6 percent the following week. [4]
Even in the context of the rapidly expanding plant-based sector, these statistics show tremendous growth towards plant-based lifestyle at an exceedingly larger scale. Earlier this year, the Plant Based Foods Association and the Good Food Institute released market data revealing that plant-based meat is now worth nearly a billion dollars—$939 million to be exact. In terms of plant-based products, milk alternative sales reached 2 billion dollars in 2019, over 40 percent growth from the previous year. [5]
All in all, it’s a great time to transition over to a whole food plant-based diet; and if you’re already following one then to experiment with some new recipes. Check out the wonderful recipes page linked here which has over thousands of tasty new dishes you can try! Also, as many of use have more time during this pandemic, we can use the time to learn more about a plant-based diet by visiting the resources available on this website. Consider watching some videos, maybe reading a new book, relaxing with your family with a documentary, browsing through some articles, the possibilities are limitless. I hope all of you are taking care and staying safe!
Sources:
[1] https://www.self.inc/info/coronavirus-spending-habits-statistics/
[2] https://www.self.inc/info/coronavirus-spending-habits-statistics/#experiment
[3] https://fortune.com/2020/05/15/coronavirus-meat-shortage-plant-based-food-vegan-vegetarian/
[4] https://www.plantbasednews.org/news/sales-vegan-staples-skyrocket-coronavirus-crisis