Ann Arbor Wins Spot on PETA’s ‘Vegan-Friendly Cities’ List

For Immediate Release:
December 10, 2020

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

The results are in for PETA’s 2020 ranking of the Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Small Cities in the U.S., and Ann Arbor’s vegan festivals and food—including more than 100 vegan-friendly restaurants—have landed it the number eight spot on the list. In recognition, PETA has sent an award certificate to Mayor Christopher Taylor.

For many years, PETA has named the most vegan-friendly big cities in America. This year, with so many people migrating to smaller cities in the wake of COVID-19, the group has shifted its sights and picked the Top 10 Most Vegan-Friendly small towns in America.

“The small cities on PETA’s list are big hot spots for the delicious animal-friendly cuisine that today’s diners demand,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Whether you’re looking for a plant-based cooking class, a vegan food fair, or a bucket of Buffalo cauliflower wings, Ann Arbor’s got it.”

Ann Arbor has celebrated vegan dining with last year’s Veg Week (in March) and the annual East MI VegBash. Its many standout vegan-friendly eateries include Detroit Street Filling Station—where diners can find black bean burgers, a tempeh Reuben, and more—and Seva, where vegan favorites include dairy-free nacho dip and a Cobb salad with crisped smoked coconut. For dessert, Simple Pleasures has all the vegan cakes, cupcakes, pies, and other goodies anyone could want—and don’t miss the vegan cooking classes by Ann Arbor Vegan Kitchen or the all-vegan skin-care services at Jessica’s Apothecary!

The number of vegan Americans has increased by 600% in just three years, according to research firm GlobalData. Each person who goes vegan prevents nearly 200 animals a year from enduring daily suffering and a terrifying death; dramatically shrinks their carbon footprint; reduces their risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes; and helps prevent future pandemics. SARS, swine flu, bird flu, and COVID-19 all stemmed from confining or killing animals for food.

Topping PETA’s list is Asheville, North Carolina, followed by Dayton, Ohio; Frederick, Maryland; Tacoma, Washington; Boise, Idaho; San Marcos, Texas; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Bend, Oregon; and Bisbee, Arizona.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.