Research Reveals Which US States Have Highest Number of Grocery Stores Catering to Vegans - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine (2024)

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Research Reveals Which US States Have Highest Number of Grocery Stores Catering to Vegans - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine (1)

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With an estimated 9.7 million Americans switching to a plant-based diet, new research has revealed the top ten states to live in as a vegan, based on the number of grocery stores catering to vegan diets.

“Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, Whole Foods and Publix are leading the way in adapting for shifting consumer needs”

The Food Specialty Index looked at the number of popular US grocery stores in each state which offer the most gluten-free, lactose-free, dairy-free, organic, vegan and sugar-free products.

The study found that Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, Whole Foods and Publix rank as the top five grocery stores to offer the most alternatives for those with food sensitivities and those following a vegan diet, and analysed the number of specialist grocery stores catering to vegans per capita.

Research Reveals Which US States Have Highest Number of Grocery Stores Catering to Vegans - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine (2)

Montana reportedly has the highest number of specialist dietary-friendly grocery stores per capita, ahead of Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

The top 10 states according to grocery stores catering to vegans

  1. Montana
  2. Oregon
  3. Washington
  4. Wyoming
  5. Colorado
  6. Idaho
  7. Arizona
  8. Hawaii
  9. Alaska
  10. Nevada

Despite its relatively small population, Montana was found to offer the highest number of such grocery stores per capita with nine Safeways, 29 Albertsons, one Whole Foods, and four Krogers, leading the way in products for vegan, organic, dairy-free and sugar-free diets.

Dr Gill Hart, scientific director at YorkTest, said: “The number of people switching to an alternative diet after experiencing food sensitivity has increased hugely in the last few years. This, plus a recent report announcing 9.7 million Americans have turned to a plant-based diet has seen a steep increase in the demand for ‘free-from and organic produce.

“Changing diets and increasingly complex dietary requirements causes great confusion and frustration for many consumers when trying to find food and drink substitutes. Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, Whole Foods and Publix are leading the way in adapting for shifting consumer needs, and building their reputations as America’s best grocery stores for the food sensitivity market.”

For more information, and to see the full study, visit: https://www.yorktest.com/us/blog/united-states-specialty-diet-index/

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As an expert in the field of plant-based diets and food trends, I can confidently delve into the information presented in the provided article. My knowledge extends beyond the surface, allowing me to provide insights into the concepts mentioned.

The article discusses the growing trend of Americans adopting a plant-based diet, with an estimated 9.7 million individuals making the switch. The focus is on identifying the top ten states to live in as a vegan, based on the availability of grocery stores catering to vegan diets. The criteria for evaluation include the variety of products offered, such as gluten-free, lactose-free, dairy-free, organic, vegan, and sugar-free options.

Key concepts in the article:

  1. News by Region: The article focuses on specific states in the United States, presenting a regional perspective on the growing popularity of plant-based diets.

  2. Organizations and Brands: Grocery store chains play a crucial role in this context. Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, Whole Foods, and Publix are highlighted as leading brands that are adapting to shifting consumer needs by offering a diverse range of products catering to various dietary preferences.

  3. Listed Companies: While the article doesn't explicitly mention listed companies in the stock market sense, it does highlight specific grocery store chains such as Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, Whole Foods, and Publix, which are key players in the industry.

  4. Society: The societal shift towards plant-based diets is evident in the increasing number of Americans embracing alternative diets. The article mentions the challenges faced by consumers with food sensitivities and the demand for "free-from and organic produce."

The Food Specialty Index is introduced as the research tool used to analyze the number of specialty grocery stores in each state catering to various dietary needs. The top ten states are listed based on the per capita availability of such stores.

The article emphasizes that Montana leads in this aspect, with the highest number of specialty dietary-friendly grocery stores per capita, surpassing states like Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Specific data regarding the number of Safeway, Albertsons, Whole Foods, and Kroger stores in Montana is provided, underlining the state's commitment to offering products for vegan, organic, dairy-free, and sugar-free diets.

Dr. Gill Hart, identified as the scientific director at YorkTest, adds credibility to the information by discussing the increase in people adopting alternative diets due to food sensitivity. The role of grocery stores like Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, Whole Foods, and Publix is highlighted in meeting the evolving needs of consumers and establishing themselves as leaders in the food sensitivity market.

The article concludes by providing a link to the full study for those seeking more in-depth information on the United States Specialty Diet Index. This demonstrates a commitment to transparency and encourages further exploration of the data.

Research Reveals Which US States Have Highest Number of Grocery Stores Catering to Vegans - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine (2024)

FAQs

What US state is the most vegan? ›

Nevada. And here's why: It has by far the largest per capita vegan population of any state: 942 per 1 million. It also has more vegan restaurants, meet up groups, and animal welfare groups than California.

Where are the most vegetarians in the United States? ›

States With Highest Rates of Vegetarians in the US
  • New Jersey. Searches per 100k = 632. ...
  • Florida. Searches per 100k = 709. ...
  • Arizona. Searches per 100k = 713. ...
  • Massachusetts. Searches per 100k = 719. ...
  • Vermont. Searches per 100k = 760. ...
  • Washington. Searches per 100k = 977. ...
  • Colorado. Searches per 100k = 983.
Dec 20, 2023

What percent of United States is vegan? ›

In the United States, roughly five percent of the population is vegetarian. This is about the same level as in other Western countries such as Germany. This does not include the number of pescetarians, who add fish to an otherwise vegetarian diet. About four percent of the U.S. population follows a vegan diet.

Where is the biggest vegan population? ›

United Kingdom. Compared to all the countries in the world, the UK has the most vegans.

Which country is #1 for vegans? ›

India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

Which US city has the most vegetarians? ›

Portland, Oregon has topped the list of the most vegan and vegetarian-friendly city in the United States for the fifth year in a row, according to a recent WalletHub study.

What is the least vegan friendly state? ›

North Dakota

However, some popular food spots are starting to offer vegan or gluten-free dishes. At the same time, unfortunately, North Dakota has gained the title of the least vegan state in America. So, there you have it!

Who is the number one vegetarian in the world? ›

India. India has the highest percentage of vegetarians in the world, with an estimated 20-39% vegetarian population.

What is the number one vegan city in the US? ›

Portland is the best place to live if you don't eat meat. Driving the news: That's according to a WalletHub study, which crowned Portland the number one city in the U.S. to find the most delicious and cheapest places for plant-based fare.

What is the average age of a vegan? ›

Vegans tend to be younger than the general population, with the majority falling between 18 and 34.

Is veganism increasing or decreasing? ›

New research from GWI has revealed that the number of people identifying as vegan has dropped by 29% in Europe and 15% in the UK in the last two years.

What is the vegan capital of the world? ›

Though Portland received the top spot in 2021 and previous years as the best in the world for vegans, the Chef's Pencil's 2022 ranking, however, shows the seaside town of Brighton, UK is the new vegan capital of the world. It's the first time that any city other than Portland or Bristol has taken the top spot.

Where is the hardest place to be vegan? ›

Japan. Fish is the main food in Japan and if you think that ramen noodles and miso soup would be perfect for vegan then you are wrong. Most of the traditional Japanese cuisines are prepared from fish even the soya sauce. However many Buddhist temples eat Buddhist vegetarian food, but the options are very few.

What city has the most vegans? ›

The top 20 vegan cities in the US
  • Portland, Oregon.
  • Los Angeles, California.
  • Orlando, Florida.
  • San Diego, California.
  • Phoenix, Arizona.
  • San Francisco, California.
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Miami, Florida.
Nov 13, 2023

Which US city has the most vegans? ›

Each city could earn a maximum of 100 points. With a total score of 61.38, Portland earned top honors as the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly city in the country—just as it has every year since 2019.

What state has the least vegans? ›

meat savings per pound, and vegan restaurants and meetup groups per million residents to work out where you're most likely to switch to a herbivore diet. After calculating all the plant-based considerations, the study determined Wyoming to be the least likely state to go vegan, followed by Arkansas.

What city has the most vegan options? ›

Vegan food app HappyCow has released its list of the world's top vegan cities. HappyCow has announced its list of the top 20 vegan cities in the world, with London and Berlin once again leading the way. After releasing the top 10 best vegan restaurants, the vegan app has now compiled a list of the most vegan cities.

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