Res. No. 76
Resolution declaring November 1 as Vegan Day in the City of New York
By Council Members Epstein and Louis
Whereas, World Vegan Day is annually celebrated on November 1 by vegans worldwide to recognize and celebrate the vegan lifestyle, which has health, animal welfare, and environmental benefits for society, and to reflect on how far the movement has come; and
Whereas, The Vegan Society, which is the oldest vegan charity in the world, was founded in the United Kingdom in 1944, when Donald Watson and other founding members coined the word “vegan”; and
Whereas, World Vegan Day was established by Louise Wallis, then president of The Vegan Society, in 1994 to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary; and
Whereas, The Vegan Society created the Vegan Trademark 35 years ago to be placed on products to assist consumers in finding and choosing brands and goods that align with the vegan philosophy; and
Whereas, Vegans eat a plant-based diet, which excludes all products derived wholly or partly from animals, including meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey, and avoid using products derived from or tested on animals, including cosmetics, clothing, and home goods; and
Whereas, A 2024 national study of adults by the Rutgers School of Public Health, in collaboration with Columbia University’s Climate School and Cornell University, found that almost 70 percent of those surveyed said that they had decreased their consumption of red meat in the past year, primarily for health reasons and secondarily for cost reasons, although very few cited environmental sustainability as a factor in their food choices; and
Whereas, In 2024, New York City (NYC) had just over 120 fully vegan dining establishments, including restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and food trucks, and over 1,160 with vegan options on the menu, with Manhattan and Brooklyn leading in vegan dining choices; and
Whereas, While some pioneering vegan restaurants in NYC have closed, many new ones have taken their place, with demand driven by younger generations and now covering a wide range of cuisines, including Chinese, Italian, Caribbean, Ethiopian, Mexican, French, and traditional American; and
Whereas, Since 2022, many NYC public schools have participated in Vegan Fridays for student meals, and many NYC public hospitals have offered vegan meals for patients as their default; and
Whereas, The Vegandale festival, featuring vegan food as well as music and art, is celebrated annually in Queens; and
Whereas, According to the media platform Plant Based News, NYC was ranked number 1 among best American cities for vegans and vegetarians in 2025; and
Whereas, In June 2025, the New York State Assembly adopted Resolution Number 728, “memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 1, 2025, as Vegan Day in the State of New York”; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares November 1 as Vegan Day in the City of New York.
LS #21172
1/23/2026
RHP