Gardein, TCBY, Chipotle Snag peta2 Awards

Restaurants, Food Companies Prove That Compassion Is Always in Good Taste

For Immediate Release:
December 18, 2013

Contact:
Allison Lakomski 202-483-7382

As young people’s interest in animal rights increases, so does their desire for food that’s free of meat, eggs, and dairy products. And to honor those businesses that strive to meet this growing demand, peta2, PETA’s youth division, has recognized 10 companies in food-related categories—six of which are new this year—in the eighth annual Libby Awards. “Libby” is for “liberation”—as in animal liberation.

Chipotle took home the award for Best New Vegan Food Item, thanks to its tofu Sofritas, while Tropical Smoothie Café—with its fresh menu featuring vegan protein from Beyond Meat—won the title of Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant Chain. California-based vegan eatery Veggie Grill is this year’s Best Vegan Restaurant Chain, and TCBY‘s dairy-free chocolate soft-serve made from Silk almond milk earned the award for Best Vegan Dessert.

Grocery store brands got into the vegan game, too: Gardein landed the title of Best Vegan Meat for its Sizzling Szechuan Beefless Strips, Food for Lovers’ Original Queso won the first-ever award for Best Vegan Cheese, and Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger climbed to the top of the fiercely competitive field for the Best Vegan Burger. The delicious, frozen Dole Banana Dippers with Almonds won the title of Best Accidentally Vegan Snack, and the award for Best Vegan Snack went to GoPicnic‘s ready-to-eat Hummus & Crackers box. And the must-have product for the holidays is the Best Seasonal Vegan Item: Silk Seasonal Nog, a dairy- and egg-free nog.

“More than ever, young people want to know that the food they eat is cruelty-free—and TCBY, Chipotle, and the other Libby winners are meeting this growing demand in exciting, creative ways,” says peta2 Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “All of peta2’s nominees prove that today’s restaurants and grocery stores are bursting with meals and snacks that are as delicious as they are kind to animals.”

Twenty-six Libby Awards will be given out this year, recognizing everything from the best cruelty-free cosmetics company to peta2’s favorite animal-friendly celebrities. Winners were chosen by peta2 based on several factors, including vote count, and each winner will receive a personalized certificate and yearlong bragging rights.

For more information about the winners, please visit peta2.com/Libbys.