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If you’ve ever wanted to try a plant-based approach to eating, you’ve probably wondered about the best vegan meal delivery services. There’s no easier way to incorporate more plant-based meals into your lifestyle than getting those meals delivered.

Plant-based meal delivery services are incredibly convenient. You can try new vegan recipes or stick to a vegan meal plan without ever leaving your house. Sure, you might have to do a little bit of grocery shopping and cooking. Meal plans take out the mental labor of deciding what to eat and figuring out which ingredients you’ll need.

Popular meal delivery services, such as Hello Fresh and Blue Apron, offer vegetarian-friendly meals. But the pickings for 100% vegan options are slim. Fortunately, if you’re looking for an entirely plant-based meal delivery service, there are plenty to choose from.

Here are some of the best vegan meal delivery services that make dabbling into the plant-based diet much less intimidating (and tasty).

1. Purple Carrot

Price: Between $9.99 and $11.99 per serving

Allergy-friendly? A gluten-free plan is available. However, food is processed in shared facilities where cross-contamination may occur. 

Purple Carrot is one of the best vegan meal delivery services for the veggie curious. If you’re ready to take the leap, you can choose between two types of vegan meal deliveries: meal kits and prepared meals.

Busy schedule? Opt for the prepared meals that you simply heat and eat. For something a little more hands-on, go for the vegan meal kits. 

All meals come with an ingredients list and nutritional information, so it’s clear what’s in each meal. If you have allergies, you can opt into the gluten-free meal plan or carefully select allergy-friendly meals. However, foods may come into contact with allergens like nuts and wheat during processing.

Purple Carrot is also one of the best vegan meal delivery services for people on a budget. With convenience usually comes premium pricing. But Purple Carrot is one of the more affordable ways to try plant-based meals without breaking the bank.

Pros

• Fully plant-based menu
• Choice between meal kits and prepared meals
• Gluten-free plan available
• Free shipping on all orders
• Skip deliveries or add extras when needed
• Recyclable packaging

Cons

• May contain allergens

2. Veestro

Price: Between $9.90 and $11.70 per meal

Allergy-friendly? Meal options can be filtered to avoid gluten, nuts, and soy. However, Veestro doesn’t guarantee allergen-free meals due to potential cross-contamination in its facilities.

One reason that people look into plant-based meal delivery services is the misconception that plant-based cooking is difficult. If you don’t enjoy chopping, stirring, and baking, then a fully prepared vegan meal kit like Veestro is for you.

Veestro meals are healthy, plant-based, organic, and ready to be enjoyed upon arrival. Everything arrives frozen, so all you have to do is heat in the microwave or oven and enjoy. Veestro meals like nuggets and pizza are kid-approved, so this is a family-friendly option.

If you’re not ready to commit to a vegan meal kit subscription, check out Veestro’s A La Carte menu. Order up to 30 meals without committing to a recurring payment.

Pros

• Meals are ready to heat and eat upon arrival
• Kid-friendly options like vegan nuggets, pizzas, and quesadillas
• A La Carte menu is convenient for non-recurring orders
• Allergens, ingredients, and nutrition facts are clearly labeled

Cons

• Possible cross-contamination with allergens

3. Green Chef

Price: Between $9.99 and $12.99 per meal

Allergy-friendly? Gluten-free meals are available and labeled, but meals can’t be filtered by allergies. Cross-contamination may also occur.

Green Chef is mostly organic and caters to different ways of eating, such as keto, paleo, and vegan. Suppose you’re not ready to go vegan cold turkey. In that case, Green Chef is a meal delivery service that offers a balance between carnivorous and herbivorous meals. 

For a mix of meat and veggies, choose the Balanced Living plan. When you’re ready to come to the green side, select the Plant-Powered plan. Not all meals on the Plant-Powered plan are vegan, however. To eliminate all animal products from your Green Chef plan, look for meals that are labeled “vegan” and add them to your weekly menu.

One of Green Chef’s perks is the plant-based meals come out cheaper than the meat-based meals. You’ll save $1-2 per meal by going with the Plant-Powered plan than the Balanced Living or Keto + Paleo plan.

Pros

• Weekly menu changes, so meals are always new and exciting
• Offers a balance of non-vegan and vegan options
• Skip or cancel any time
• Introductory pricing for new members
• Ingredients are organic and local whenever possible

Cons

• Those who eat an entirely plant-based diet will have to consciously avoid non-vegan meals
• Shipping charges may apply

4. Daily Harvest

Price: Between $5.99 and $8.99 per meal

Allergy-friendly? Filter out allergies like gluten and nuts, though cross-contamination can happen.

Many of us could eat more fruits and vegetables, which is the exact problem Daily Harvest seeks to solve. Daily Harvest meals are based around fruits and veggies, making it easy and delicious to get in those greens. 

Unlike vegan meal delivery services with an ever-changing menu, Daily Harvest offers 80 different meal options that you can enjoy week after week. Filter the menu by your likes, dislikes, and dietary needs. For an entirely plant-based Daily Harvest box, simply select the vegan filter.

You can expect smoothies, soups, flatbreads, chia bowls, harvest bowls, and oat bowls. These are perfect for breakfast and lunch on this vegan meal kit. The menu also includes snacks, ice creams, non-dairy milks, and lattes. 

Pros

• Free shipping on all orders
• Affordable pricing
• Choose between monthly or weekly delivery
• Whole food plant-based offerings
• 95% organic

Cons

• Not ideal for dinner
• Meals are more light instead of hearty

5. Sakara

Price: Between $115 and $420 per week

Allergy-friendly? For an additional charge, specific dietary allergies can be accommodated. However, this is not guaranteed. Sakara cannot guarantee no cross-contamination for people with severe allergies.

Sakara isn’t just a plant-based meal delivery service — it’s a lifestyle. It offers three meal programs to choose from: Signature Meal Plan, Level II Detox, and Bridal.

The Signature Meal Plan is Sakara’s most popular. It contains 3 or 5 days’ worth of meals, daily tea and supplements, and access to holistic health coaching. 

Meals are organic and plant-based, so this is perfect for eating whole foods.

Sakara is a premium vegan meal kit, both an advantage and a disadvantage. The quality of food is high, and the ingredients are predominantly organic. Still, the weekly price is unrealistic for many people. If you’re eager to try Sakara, try the one-time purchase before committing to the weekly subscription.

Pros

• No prep or cooking required — meals are ready-to-eat
• Meals are organic, nutritionally sound, and fully plant-based
• Different meal plans available to fit your lifestyle
• Make a one-time purchase instead of subscribing
• Sustainability initiatives, such as recyclable packaging

Cons

• Premium price
• Can only receive meals 3 or 5 days of the week
• Inability to choose your menu
• Not allergy-friendly

6. FireRoad

Price: Between $8.55 and $9.50 per meal

Allergy-friendly? Common allergens are clearly labeled, but cross-contamination may occur.

If you have specific nutritional goals in mind, FireRoad may help. Perhaps you want to consume more plant-based proteins or adopt an anti-inflammatory diet. FireRoad allows you to choose plant-based meals high in protein, antioxidants, fiber, omega-3s, probiotics, and more. 

What makes FireRoad the best vegan meal delivery service for some people is the emphasis on nutritional science. They sweat the small details, so you don’t have to. Each meal contains an in-depth look at the nutritional data beyond the usual nutrition facts.

Meals include smoothies, oats, pastas, and bowls. Each cycle, FireRoad will curate a recommended variety of meals for you, which you can customize to your liking. FireRoad delivers all meals frozen, so they are ready to enjoy once heated.

The kicker? FireRoad is not available everywhere. Enter your zip code to see if FireRoad is available in your area. If not, sign up for email notifications when it becomes available.

Pros

• Affordable pricing
• 100% plant-based menu
• Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly delivery
• Recyclable, biodegradable packaging
• Skip or cancel any time
• Allergens are clearly labeled
• Backed by nutritional science
• Extensive nutritional data available on all meals
• Let FireRoad curate your menu or choose your own meals

Cons

• Unavailable in many states
• Only four meal categories means less variety

7. Fresh n’ Lean

Price: Between $9.99 and $11.99 per meal

Allergy-friendly? All meals are gluten-free but may contain other allergens. Fresh n’ Lean asks about dietary allergies during the sign-up process.

Fresh n’ Lean is a healthy meal delivery service focusing on non-GMO, organic, and gluten-free meals. The chefs never fry any of the home-cooked meals, nor do they use processed foods or artificial ingredients.

Adopting a plant-based diet can be challenging, but switching to a whole foods plant-based diet is even more difficult. Fresh n’ Lean wants to change that. Choose from their two vegan meal plans, Standard Vegan and Low-Carb Vegan, to get whole foods plant-based meals delivered straight to your door. 

Like other vegan meal delivery services, Fresh n’ Lean meals are ready to eat upon arrival. Simply heat and eat!

Pros

• Highest kitchen standards for top food safety
• Heat and eat takes the hassle out of healthy cooking
• Fully vegan meal plan available
• Packaging is recyclable
• Ingredients are locally grown and organic, whole foods
• All meals are gluten-free
• Order one-time A La Carte or subscribe to the weekly plan

Cons

• Delivery is weekly with no bi-weekly or monthly options
• Ability to customize your menu is limited

Which Vegan Meal Delivery Service is Best For Me?

With many to choose from, the best vegan meal delivery service for you may depend on your lifestyle and health goals.

Flexitarians who want to dabble in plant-based eating will enjoy Green Chef’s Balanced Living plan, which offers the best non-vegan and vegan foods. For those with gluten-free allergies who still want to enjoy vegan cooking, Fresh n’ Lean may be the perfect fit.

If packing in plant-based proteins is your priority, try FireRoad’s high-protein vegan selection. Daily Harvest also offers protein-rich breakfasts and snacks.

Purple Carrot is one of the best plant-based meal delivery services since it has something to offer for almost everyone. You can choose between prepared meals or meal kits that will require some assembly. 

Getting vegan meals delivered usually requires a subscription. Until you’re ready to make the commitment, try the one-time purchase options offered by Veestro and Sakara.

Indecisive? Try these high-protein vegan recipes until you reach a verdict.

Key statistics and facts:

• As many as 6% of U.S. consumers say they are vegan — a 6x (500%) increase compared to just 1% in 2014.¹
• More than 500,000 participants signed up for Veganuary’s 2021 challenge², a 25% increase from 2020. In 2020, Veganary had more than 400,000 participants.³
• Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than all transportation emissions combined.⁵
• U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods have increased 11 percent from 2018 to 2019, hitting a plant-based market value to $4.5 billion.⁶

Whether for health reasons, climate change or animal welfare, vegan statistics show the plant-based population continues to spike.

Businesses have taken notice, too. The vegan market has boomed, resulting in thousands of new vegan products. And restaurants and fast-food chains are starting to accommodate with plant-based options.

The growing trend of veganism isn’t just speculative, however. There are actual vegan statistics that prove that the vegan lifestyle won’t fizzle out any time soon.

For more info on these stats and others, read on.

Quick links:

• General vegan statistics: The vegan population
• Vegan food and milk product statistics
• Vegan environmental and sustainability statistics
• Vegan athletes and celebrities

General Vegan Statistics: The Vegan Population

Vegan population statistics are difficult to capture, but there are many polls and surveys that have estimated the number of vegans in the United States, UK and other major countries.

Vegan Population Statistics in the United States

The number of vegans in the U.S. has changed over time. But how much it’s changed is up for debate as various sources report different statistics on vegan Americans.

While we can’t know the exact number of vegans in the U.S. for certain, most surveys generally put the count at 2-6% of the population.

In 2014, only 1% of the American population labeled themselves as vegan.

In 2017, that figure spiked to 6%. This sixfold increase was reported by the research firm GlobalData.

However, other surveys have shown differing counts of vegans as a percentage of the U.S. population:

• 3% of Americans are vegan according to a 2018 Gallup poll
• 2% of Americans are vegan as of March 2019 according to The Harris Poll conducted on behalf of The Vegetarian Resource Group

What’s interesting is the 39% of people who aren’t vegan but who actively try to incorporate plant-based foods into their diets. This is demonstrated by a 2017 report by the global analytics company Nielson.

Who is leading this steady increase in vegan popularity? A recent 2018 survey shows that nearly 40% of millennials identify as vegan. Baby Boomers and Generation X tie at 21% each, with only 2% of seniors labeling themselves vegan.

Vegan Population Statistics in the UK

Veganism is also booming in Great Britain with a 400% increase over the last two years. In 2016, Ipsos reported that 3.25% of Great Britain aged 15 and older “never eat meat of any form as part of their diet.”

The Vegan Society reports that as of 2018, there were about 600,000 vegans in Great Britain (1.16% of the population). This was an approximately 300% increase in vegans in Great Britain from 2014, when 150,000, or 0.25% of the population, was reported to be vegan.

The same report demonstrates that 14% of the UK are vegetarian and another 31% are actively eating less meat.

Global Vegan and Vegetarian Population Statistics

Around the world, the popularity of meatless diets is soaring.

A completely animal-free diet is the most popular in Western countries like the U.S. and UK, but vegetarianism and veganism are slowly increasing globally:

• In Canada, veganism was a top search trend in 2017. In the Google trends report, “plant-based diet” topped the list.
• A “record number” of Australians, roughly 10%, have adopted a plant-based diet.
• The number of vegetarians in Portugal rose by 400% in the last decade.
• According to Euromonitor, Italy had the fastest growing vegetarian population—a 94% increase from 2011-2016.
• Data shows that only 21% of Germans consume meat on a daily basis, and the vegan population in Germany has doubled in the last decade.
• While China has one of the largest meat markets in the world, the Chinese government released new dietary guidelines that encourage the population of more than 1.3 billion people to reduce their meat consumption by 50%.

Demand for Vegan Products

As more people ditch animal products for plant foods, food companies are responding to the demand and giving consumers what they want. There are more options for vegan meats, cheeses, milks, eggs and other products than ever before.

Vegan Milk Statistics

The global plant milk market was worth over $8 billion in 2016 and is expected to exceed $21 billion by 2024, according to Global Market Insights. Soy milk and coconut milk are expected to top the plant milk sales charts.

As sales for non-dairy milk go up, sales in the dairy industry are steadily declining. U.S. consumption of non-dairy milk increased by 61% while consumption of cow’s milk decreased by 22%.

While some dairy farms are closing after decades of operations, non-dairy milk products are emerging left and right. In recent years, non-dairy milk options have grown from the standard soy milk and almond milk to include coconut, hemp, rice, oat, pea, cashew and more.

Plant-Based Meat and Fast-Food Statistics

The global vegan meat market is also growing steadily. Allied Market Research estimates the market will reach $7.5 billion by 2025, naming Beyond Meat as one of the leading meat substitute products. They expect Europe to dominate the market and the Asia-Pacific will experience exponential growth.

An area where vegan food performs really well is in fast-food restaurants. In recent years, several meat-free fast-food restaurants have opened across the U.S. These include Veggie Grill, Plant Power Fast Food, Monty’s Good Burger and Amy’s Drive Thru.

The owner of Plant Power Fast Food told Forbes that their new San Diego location has experienced a 63% surge of growth. According to the owner, it’s not vegans who are responsible for the vegan restaurant’s quick success. Rather, it’s omnivores who are interested in trying vegan fast-food.

Non-vegan fast-food restaurants like Taco Bell and Fatburger are also starting to cater to vegans. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are now available in thousands of U.S. locations, including Taco Bell and Fatburger, respectively.

Large fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Pizza Hut test vegan options in their European locations. McDonald’s released a McVegan burger in Sweden and Finland. Similarly, Pizza Hut offers vegan cheese in its UK locations.

Vegan Industry Statistics

The 400% increase of vegans in the UK is shocking, but the 1,500% increase in plant-based food sales in the UK is even more shocking.

Similarly, vegan food products grew by 92% between 2014-2016, according to a report by Mintel, as the Australian population becomes more health conscious.

It’s not just vegan food that’s increasing in popularity. According to Grand View Research, vegan fashion is on a steady incline. The vegan leather industry is anticipated to hit $85 billion by 2025 as faux leather shoes are significantly cheaper than genuine animal hide footwear.

Vegan Environmental and Sustainability Statistics

One of the core reasons why vegan product alternatives are increasing in popularity is because of the consumer’s growing understanding of the sustainability of veganism.

Meat eaters are turning to vegan meats like the Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger because the plant-based alternatives require fewer resources.

A 2018 Oxford University study found that the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact is to avoid animal products. This is largely because more than 80% of farmland is dedicated to livestock animals raised for meat and dairy, yet these food products only account for about 18% of calories and 37% of protein consumption.

A 2010 United Nation report stated that a global move to a plant-based diet is necessary to save the world from starvation, fuel poverty and the worst impacts of climate change.

Documentaries like Cowspiracy have educated many consumers on the significant impacts that animal agriculture has on the environment and Earth’s resources. They focus on greenhouse gases, water, land use, waste, oceans, rainforest, wildlife and humanity. Some of the main takeaways include:

• According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than all transportation emissions combined.³
• The USDA reports that agriculture is responsible for 80-90% of U.S. water consumption. More than half is dedicated to feeding livestock raised for human food.
• 477 gallons of water are required to produce one pound of eggs, and almost 900 gallons of water are needed for one pound of cheese, according to the Environmental Working Group.
• Livestock covers 45% of the Earth’s total land, though they are a major cause of global warming.
• Per the FAO, approximately 75% of the world’s fisheries are exploited or depleted due to overfishing.

Vegan Athletes and Celebrities

Among the millions of vegans around the world are notable celebrities and professional athletes.

Some celebrities like Alicia Silverstone, Joaquin Phoenix, Moby, Woody Harrelson, Paul McCartney and Peter Dinklage have been vegan for decades.

Other vegan celebrities in the U.S. include Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Beyonce.

Vegan celebrities from the UK include Ellie Goulding, David Haye, Russell Brand and Morrissey.

There are also several professional athletes who are powered by plants. Athletes belonging to a vast variety of sports—tennis, bodybuilding, running, basketball, football, etc.—are converting to plant-based diets. Some of the strongest, fittest people in the world debunk the myth that you need meat to get protein and build muscle.

Some notable vegan athletes include Venus Williams, Colin Kaepernick, Kyrie Irving, Lewis Hamilton, Scott Jurek and Derrick Morgan.

Hope for Future Vegan Statistics

The word “vegan” still has some myths and stereotypes surrounding it. As the vegan lifestyle enters the mainstream, it’s starting to be positively associated with the health benefits, sustainability and compassion that come with it.

The vegan statistics speak for themselves. The reasons why so many people are swapping animal products for vegan products vary, but the main reasons hover around health, environment and animal welfare.

Even people who aren’t 100% vegan are showing increased interest in replacing some of their meals with plant-based alternatives. Fortunately, the vegan foods market is ever-growing, and the products are becoming more realistic. Products like the Impossible Burger essentially eliminate the need to get the flavors of meat, dairy and eggs from animals.

As documentaries, celebrities and vegan social campaigns spread awareness about the benefits of a vegan diet, the statistics will continue to reflect the global population’s increasing interest in veganism.

Sources:
¹ – https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4959853/top-trends-in-prepared-foods-2017-exploring-trends-in-meat-fish-and-seafood-pasta-noodles-and-rice-prepared-meals-savory-deli-food-soup-and-meat-substitutes.html

² – https://www.instagram.com/p/CJnh9JoAaXo/

³ – https://veganuary.com/en-us/about/about-us/

⁴ – https://www.vegansociety.com/news/media/statistics#vegandietintheuk

⁵ – http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a0701e/a0701e00.HTM

⁶ – https://plantbasedfoods.org/2019-data-plant-based-market/