Sheffield’s vegan market returned to the city centre last weekend to celebrate the vegan community and their positive impacts on the environment. 

Through food, drink, clothing, and fundraising, the market displayed just how vibrant the vegan scene is becoming in the city and how people in Sheffield continue to care and campaign for their planet. 

Customer, Jamie Stoars, has been living in Sheffield for eight years since coming to University and has been a vegan for six years.

“I’d say it’s been a bit of a boom really, I’ve gone from struggling to find something on the menu to being excited about a new restaurant or event in the space of a few years.

I think these kind of eco-friendly or sustainable businesses are on the up as well and it’s been really nice to see a new sort of community forming here.”

As well as finding something to eat, drink, or wear, those walking round the market were invited to chat with volunteers and donate to charities that look after the environment. 

Charlotte West, who was managing the market stall for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) spoke about the link between animal and wildlife conservation and the vegan community. 

She said: “Most people are vegan because they really care about vegans and the environment and although we’re not a vegan society we do really support that.”

Ms West was displaying pictures of the huge improvements to green spaces and talking about the importance of optimism and positivity on the topic of conserving our planet. 

“Sheffield is one of the greenest cities in Europe and I think it helps people connect with nature more. 

“If you grow up with nature and wildlife and are surrounded by it you’re more likely to connect more with it and likely to want to help.”

The market had a range of different products and messages on offer from local Turkish vendors, vegan bakeries, clothes shops and sustainability charities. 

The market sets up several times a year with the next event scheduled for 12 July.