UK train companies are being urged to improve their onboard catering for vegan passengers and offer more plant-based food and drink options.

The Vegan Society is asking its thousands of members and supporters to contact rail companies and request that they expand their ranges of vegan-friendly sandwiches and drinks available from buffet cars, as well as food for sit-down meals.



The vegan on the go campaign is targeting major operators such as East Midlands Trains, TransPennine Express and Great Western Railway with email templates and tweets.

Louise Davies, the Vegan Society’s head of campaigns, said: “Our survey last year found that 80% of vegans often go hungry onboard trains.

“We would like more options than a packet of ready salted crisps on a long journey and would love for train companies to hop onboard and help us to make vegan travel plain sailing.

“We’d love to see at least one savoury and one sweet vegan food option, as well as plant milk being offered onboard trains, and we’re more than happy to offer advice and resources to companies wishing to improve their vegan offering.”

In March, Virgin Trains launched a hot vegan breakfast option, while also offering soya milk in tea and coffee. Eurostar offers vegan options to passengers in standard premier and business premier classes.

Manufacturers and supermarkets have been scrambling to tap into the growing vegan market, which has expanded as more Britons drop meat from their diet for health or ethical reasons. The UK has an estimated 22 million “flexitarians” – those who enjoy meat but want to reduce their consumption.

According to Mintel’s global new products database, the number of vegan products launched in the UK between 2012 and 2016 rose by 185%.



The Vegan Society said the number of vegans in the UK had quadrupled in the past four years from 150,000 to 600,000.



An earlier phase of vegan on the go targeted high-street retailers to improve their ready-made vegan options, which resulted in a huge rise in the number of vegan wraps, sandwiches and ready meals on offer.