20 ways to build a vegan community in your area

Do you have a vegan community in your area? How important is it to you to be able to socialise with other vegans? Do you ever feel isolated because of your vegan diet?

While veganism is on the rise, many vegans experience times when they feel isolated by their food choices. Apparently, there’s a reason for this.

As a social species, we humans are predisposed to eat with others, and we even feel a greater level of trust when we eat the same food as our companions. Research has linked dietary restrictions of any kind to higher levels of loneliness. This is because the person eating “differently” tends to dine separately from others or must manage attention from the group about their food choices, which can be challenging.

But this doesn’t mean we should throw in the metaphorical towel. As we’ve already mentioned, veganism is steadily increasing worldwide. In the UK, 15 million people could be following a plant-based diet by 2025.

It’s easier to follow a vegan diet when we feel supported. While your friends and family are likely to support your veganism once they get used to it, finding like-minded individuals locally can provide a sense of belonging and inspiration.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just dipping your toes into the plant-based pool, here are 20 ideas to help you cultivate a thriving vegan community right on your own doorstep:

1.      Host vegan potluck dinners

A “potluck” dinner is when every guest brings a dish to share with the group. There’s something magical about gathering around a table filled with delicious food, especially when it’s all vegan! Hosting regular potluck dinners allows guests to share recipes, swap cooking tips, and forge connections over a shared love of plant-based cuisine.

If you would like to connect with other vegans locally, you could see whether any local community centres would be happy to host a potluck dinner for nearby residents.

2.      Create social media groups

Social media can be a powerful tool for connecting with your fellow vegans. Start a Facebook group or subreddit dedicated to your local vegan community where members can share information, resources, events, and even meetups.

If your town, village, city, or suburb has a Facebook page, it’s worth checking whether they allow community posts advertising other groups (they often do). That way, you can post a shout-out to your vegan group to let people know it exists.

3.      Organise cooking classes

Not everyone is born with a frying pan in hand, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn to whip up a mean tofu stir-fry! Hosting cooking classes focused on vegan cuisine can help newcomers gain confidence in the kitchen and give everyone a shared experience over which to bond.

4.      Hold meetup events

From picnics in the park to hikes in the hills, organising regular meetup events centred around vegan themes provides an opportunity for people in your local community to socialise, get active, and bond over shared interests.

If you’ve set up a social media page for the group (see point 2), you can advertise the meetup events in there. You might also want to set up a group newsletter (see point 14).

5.      Start a community garden

What better way to connect with nature and each other than by getting your hands dirty in a community garden? Collaborate with local organisations or authorities to create a vegan-friendly space where members can grow their own organic fruits and vegetables.

You could contact your local council or allotment association to discuss setting up a dedicated vegan community allotment.

6.      Collaborate with local businesses

You can amplify your community’s reach and impact by partnering with vegan-friendly restaurants, cafes, and shops nearby. Whether it’s hosting events, offering discounts to community members, or organising fundraisers, there are countless ways to support and be supported by local businesses.

7.      Host educational workshops

Knowledge is power, and hosting workshops on topics like vegan nutrition, animal rights, environmental sustainability, and vegan activism can empower community members to make informed choices and effect positive change in their own lives and beyond.

8.      Volunteer together

Mahatma Gandhi once said “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. Volunteering with fellow vegans at local animal shelters, sanctuaries, or environmental organisations can provide a meaningful way to connect over a shared purpose.

9.      Create a community directory

Navigating the world as a vegan can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but creating a community directory listing vegan-friendly businesses, services, and resources in your area can make it a whole lot easier.

This was our intention for Ethical Globe but on an international scale!

10. Start a vegan book club

Books have the power to inform, inspire, and ignite change, so why not start a book club focused on vegan literature? From memoirs and cookbooks to essays and novels, you might be pleasantly surprised at how much material you can explore together.

11. Host food tastings

Organising tasting events where members can sample different vegan products is a delicious way to expand your palate and your community.

12. Collaborate with schools

Young people are driving the vegan movement. You can help to plant or nurture the seeds of change in the next generation by partnering with local schools to introduce vegan options in cafeterias, organise educational talks, or start youth-led initiatives.

13. Create community challenges

Whether it’s Veganuary, Meatless Mondays, or a 30-day plant-based challenge, you could launch a community-wide event to encourage your neighbours to explore veganism in a fun and supportive way.

14. Start a community blog or newsletter

A dedicated blog or newsletter can serve as a valuable hub for sharing updates, articles, recipes, and event announcements with community members near and far. The great thing about this approach is that you’re not at the mercy of social media algorithms to spread your message.

15. Host film screenings

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so imagine the impact of a thought-provoking documentary or film screening followed by a discussion with fellow vegans. Here are 10 must-see ideas to get you started!

16. Organise a food drive or set up a community pantry

Organising food drives to collect vegan-friendly, non-perishable items for local food banks or organisations supporting those in need is a tangible way to make a difference in your community.

The Guardian newspaper reported in 2023 that community pantries, community fridges and food cooperatives are growing in popularity as a means to share food between neighbours and help everyone access healthy nutrition. These initiatives also bring people together.

17. Host guest speakers

Explore opportunities to invite guest speakers to give talks, workshops, or Q&A sessions on various vegan-related topics. This might include experts, activists, local business owners, influencers or thought leaders. Hearing fresh perspectives can be a great way to reach new people and inspire change.

18. Create online challenges

If you want to connect with vegans outside of your geographical location or even find another way to reach your vegan neighbours, then online challenges via social media can engage with a wider audience and attract newcomers to the vegan community.

19. Attend local events

There is an ever-increasing number of vegan events throughout the year. From festivals and fairs to markets and meetups, taking part in local in-person events will give you the opportunity to promote veganism, connect with like-minded individuals, and discover vegan foods and products that you may not have encountered before.

20. Encourage advocacy and activism

Last but certainly not least, you could invite people in your community to engage in vegan advocacy and activism through protests, letter-writing campaigns, or petitions. These can help to create awareness about vegan issues and bring about positive change for our fellow animals, the planet, and future generations.

Building a vibrant vegan community in your local area

Building a vibrant vegan community in your local area is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. You never know what it might lead to – new opportunities, new friendships, new perspectives – there is so much possibility when people come together in a space committed to shared values.