Plant-based and affordable: Can Veganuary help families save?

Every January, millions of people across the UK take part in Veganuary – an annual global campaign that encourages people to try a vegan diet for the month. Over a third of UK adults plan to buy plant-based products this January, and as many households struggle to afford nutritious food, it’s important to consider how plant-based eating can support food security.

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, and is based instead on fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. There are many reasons people choose to be vegan– be it health reasons, concerns around animal welfare and the environment. More recently, the rising cost of living has prompted interest in whether plant-based diets can also support affordability. While food access and affordability are shaped primarily by income and wider economic conditions, the composition of diets can influence how far limited food budgets stretch.

While fresh produce can be pricey, especially out of season, many staples in a vegan diet such as lentils, beans, rice and potatoes are among the cheapest sources of calories, protein, and fibre. Evidence suggests these foods are typically less expensive per serving than meat and cheese. Building meals around these items can help households reduce food costs while maintaining a nutritious diet. However, the ability to realise these savings depends on access to affordable shops, adequate cooking facilities, time, and energy; resources that are not always available for families.

From a food aid perspective, food banks often rely on long-life, non-perishable items, many of which are naturally vegan: tinned beans, pulses, vegetables, pasta, rice, and cereal. Veganuary is an opportunity to encourage people to donate these affordable and nutritious staples. However, food banks operate within a system design to manage crisis rather than address underling need. Any skills building or dietary guidance in community food settings must therefore be accompanied by recognition that food aid is not a substitute for adequate incomes or a comprehensive social safety net.

Last year, over 25 million people globally took part in Veganuary – as demand for plant-based options grows, supermarkets respond by increasing availability and competition. However, retailers often promote processed vegan meat substitutes such as burgers, sausages, and ready meals rather than whole, affordable foods – and these may come with their own issues. While these alternatives can be useful for people transitioning away from animal products, the emphasis on these more expensive and processed products during Veganuary risks overlooking the simplest foundations of a healthy plant-based diet.

Of course, Veganuary is not a solution on its own to household food insecurity. However, by normalising affordable, plant-based meals built around whole foods, we can make healthy eating more accessible and more achievable.

See Pro Veg’s top trips for healthy eating on a budget here.