2017 in Melbourne, and worldwide, has been touted as the Year of Being or Becoming Vegan. Melbourne, Australia has witnessed a boom in local vegan markets across the city; vehicles to reach vegans and non-vegans on a hyper-local level.
A massive, one-day event on World Vegan Day in November has occurred in Melbourne for the past few years, now. After attending some of these events myself, it has become clear that the demand for vegan products and all-round vegan curiosity in general, has grown exponentially around town. Melbourne’s existing vegan micro-businesses, new vegan product creators and purveyors now have a number of markets to reach Melbourne’s existing vegan community and a burgeoning new fan base.
Let’s explore four of Melbourne’s newest vegan markets on the block in 2017.
Compassionate Living Vegan Pop Up Market is roving around town
Melbourne’s suburb of Cranbourne East, in the outer southern fringe of the city, hosted an ethical and compassionate pop-up market featuring vendors with a sustainable living approach. Cranbourne East will also host a twilight format to this market on November 18, complete with live music. The Compassionate Living Vegan Pop Up Market commenced earlier in 2017 and will be expanding its reach to The Dandenong Ranges, the hills of Melbourne’s outer east, with a Valentine’s Day theme early February next year. The market series’ aim is to be grassroots with boutique-style flair.
The vegan vendors are thus one hundred percent genuinely ethically-minded businesses selling cruelty-free and environmentally-friendly goods. Market-goers are encouraged to bring their own containers and bags for purchases, and non-vegans are asked to be respectful by not bringing non-vegan products with them. Entry is free at these pop-up events, which is an added bonus. Follow Compassionate Living here: @CompassionateLivingVeganPopupMarket
Abbotsford Convent is doing good with its Vegan Mini Market
Abbotsford Convent in inner-city Melbourne, a village of historic buildings and sprawling grounds, has become famous with locals being a keystone multi-arts destination. Abbotsford Convent draws on its grounding vibes of doing good (the site was the old Convent of the Good Shepherd monastery) to host a Vegan Mini Market the first Saturday of each month from September to December. ‘Delicious and ethical produce and products’ are showcased to those seeking new vegan goodies. The Vegan Mini Market was founded by two local Melburnians who are keen to host stalls spruiking food, fashion and crafts, and is the perfect canvas for local vegan micro-businesses. Entry is also free here but onsite parking is at a fee. Follow the Vegan Mini Market here: @Veganmm
Surfing the Vegan Makers Market Mornington Peninsula
Boasted as a market for “all of Melbourne to enjoy”, The Vegan Makers Market Mornington Peninsula is coastal Melbourne’s first vegan market. About an hour’s drive from Melbourne, attending this market is the perfect excuse to go on a spring daytrip. The Vegan Makers Market Mornington Peninsula is another boutique market hosting food trucks, culinary vendors, handmade products and live music.
Hosted by events company Mermaid Sorority, the event features businesses selling products that are fully vegan, cruelty free and ethically sourced. Located at a civic leisure centre, food trucks are found out front outside, while the home, food and lifestyle stalls are found indoors. Visitors are tempted here in their hundreds – by their vegan curiosity, established vegan way of life, and the free entry and parking. Follow the organisers of the Vegan Makers Market here: @Mermaidsorority
Gigantic vegan eating guaranteed at the Big Vegan Market
In May this year, something incredible happened. Melbourne hosted its first Big Vegan Market, at the Royal Exhibition Building in the inner-city. Naturally, it seemed that every single vegan in Melbourne (and those who are thinking about being vegan) turned up. As such, organisers – Melbourne Vegan Eats – attracting an overwhelming number of vendors wanting to be involved.
There were over 150 vegan stalls for Melburnians to swoon over who didn’t have to ask about ingredients. It was a market where vegans could wander and purchase freely and compassionately. On the day crowd numbers swelled by the hour, not to mention bellies and shopping bags. Visitors only had to drop a $2 entry fee in a bucket at the door before partaking in this gigantic vegan day. Follow the organisers of the Big Vegan Market here: @melbourneveganeats
Have you attended one of Melbourne’s incredible markets? Have you been a part of the boom? Let me know how you’ve contributed to the vegan boom in Melbourne, and what you’ve discovered along the way!
