What do Dame Joanna Lumley, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Meera Sodha, BOSH!, Chris Packham, Liz Bonnin, Michaela Strachan, Hector Pardoe and Cel Spellman all have in common? The answer is they are all giving their support to National Vegetarian Week 2024 (1st to 7th October) along with a host of other supporters.
National Vegetarian Week kicks off on World Vegetarian Day 1st October which is also the start of World Vegetarian Month. This year the week will see more people trying plant-based swaps in their favourite dishes, under the theme of ‘MIX IT UP!’
It’s easy to MIX IT UP! Simply cut down on meat and swap to more veggie-based food from the ever-expanding range of fantastic plant-based dishes and recipes.
A few words from some of our amazing supporters:
Dame Joanna Lumley
“Please will you join me this National Vegetarian Week? All we ask is that you choose some fabulously simple swaps and eat more delicious veggie food. Do give it a try – it’s so easy to make these small steps that will show our planet, and animals, a little kindness. Thank you!”
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall – founder of River Cottage and author of ‘How To Eat 30 Plants a Week’
“Deliver more deliciousness to your plate this National Vegetarian Week. It’s a wonderful opportunity to have fun and experiment with some tasty and exciting new recipes, and to eat more glorious vegetables! Good for you and good for the planet.”
Meera Sodha – cook and food writer
“The perfect week to put delicious vegetables at the centre of the table…I hope you enjoy my 18-Carat Laksa recipe.” (The only thing I know of to be more successful than this recipe in dispatching a whole bag of carrots is a horse!)
Henry and Ian – BOSH!
“Our Easy Peasy Pasta is a vibrant celebration of fresh vegetables and robust flavours, perfect for National Vegetarian Week 2024. Simple to prepare and packed with goodness, this dish is one of our most loved recipes – we hope you love it too!”
Chris Packham – wildlife TV presenter and conservationist
“Helping the environment can feel overwhelming, but each of us can make a difference, and it’s easy to do. By reducing or cutting out meat, we can lower our carbon footprint, helping the planet and all its occupants. That’s why I am supporting National Vegetarian Week. Sign up, try some of the delicious vegetarian recipes, and know you’re having a positive impact!”
Liz Bonnin – wildlife biologist and science, natural history and environmental broadcaster
“This National Vegetarian Week let’s give back to the planet that gifts us with so much. Make a few meal swaps and have fun with some delicious new veggie recipes, knowing that you are supporting the climate and nature, helping to create a brighter future for all life on earth!”
Michaela Strachan – award-winning TV presenter and author
“Being vegetarian or even deciding to eat less meat, is such a simple, personal and positive step to helping the environment. Feel empowered, make a difference, strive for a more plant-based diet.”
Hector Pardoe – Olympic open-water marathon swimmer
“As a lifelong vegetarian I have competed in two Olympics and won a World Championship medal whilst staying true to a vegetarian diet. It’s about making choices that are kind to the planet, animals and one’s own body. So, this National Vegetarian Week, I encourage you to try out some amazing veggie meals – small changes can make a big impact on your health and the environment.”
Cel Spellman – actor and presenter
“Adopting a more plant-based diet is one of the most effective things we can do as an individual to be more sustainable and planet friendly. Even if it’s just one meal a week. This week is a great place to start…with vegetarian and vegan dishes being tastier and more accessible than ever.”
To help inspire more veggie and vegan cooking in the kitchen, there’s a free National Vegetarian Week digital recipe booklet. Everyone who signs up to take part can check out this brilliant free ‘Mix It Up!’ booklet, jam-packed with vegetarian and vegan recipes from celebrity chefs and food writers such as Meera Sodha, renowned for her Asian-inspired, meat-free recipes, and the author of three best-selling cookbooks; Rukmini Iyer, the bestselling author of The Roasting Tin series; and Thomasina Miers – cook, co-founder of Wahaca, and food writer. Plus many more.
Sign up to get the booklet by heading over to www.nationalvegetarianweek.org and ‘MIX IT UP!’ for National Vegetarian Week.
