Paul McCartney and PETA Name Portland Most Vegan-Friendly City

Mayor Hales Accepts Bouquet of Roses Carved From Vegetables at Sold-Out Concert

For Immediate Release:
April 18, 2016

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Portland, Ore. – Presenting a bouquet of roses carved from vegetables, Paul McCartney and PETA Vice President Dan Mathews congratulated Mayor Charlie Hales on Portland’s award for Most Vegan-Friendly City in the U.S. 2016. The mayor accepted the award at McCartney’s sold-out concert Friday night at the Moda Center. A photo is available here.

“The City of Roses is the city of the future,” said McCartney of Portland’s creative vegan scene. The former Beatle left the concert with a box of gourmet vegan cheeses from Vtopia Restaurant & Cheese Shop and seitan cold cuts from Homegrown Smokehouse and Deli, courtesy of PETA.

“Portland’s vegan hot spots aren’t just restaurants but a summer camp, a punk-metal bar, a strip mall, and even a strip club,” added Mathews.

“Here in Portland, we love our environment, wildlife and pets, and our local economy reflects that—from sustainable operations, to reuse of materials, to vegan fare,” said Mayor Hales. “We are honored to be recognized by PETA and Sir Paul McCartney for living our values.”

Among Portland’s unique eateries is Back to Eden Bakery, which serves up eggless and dairy-free baked goods and ice cream sundaes. Vtopia offers over 20 vegan artisan cheeses, plus pepperoni melts, paninis, and cheesecake. Homegrown Smokehouse features meat-free barbecue and cheesesteak subs, tempeh ribs, and Mac No-Cheese, while Portobello Vegan Trattoria prepares lobster-mushroom potato cakes, ravioli, tiramisu, and house-made coconut ice cream. And Petunia’s Pies & Pastries serves everything from vegan biscuits and gravy and Belgian waffles to blue-corn tacos and vegan grilled cheese. Even Portland’s iconic Voodoo Doughnut now offers vegan doughnuts.

Rounding out PETA’s 2016 ranking of the Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Cities in the U.S. are Los Angeles; New York; Detroit; Nashville, Tennessee; San Diego; Honolulu; Seattle; Austin, Texas; and Richmond, Virginia. For more information, please click here.