The ECCT participated in the Taoyuan Vegwink vegan gourmet party (植感桃園 植人聚美食祭). The two-day gourmet vegan festival was hosted by the Taoyuan City Government’s Tourism Bureau, Daxi Tofu producers & Meatless Market, with the support of 7-Eleven. On the afternoon of the second day, Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-Cheng delivered remarks and provided a brief introduction to the festival and booths, located on the grounds of the Taoyuan Arts Plaza, outside the recently built Taoyuan Public Library and the Taoyuan Arts Center.

The purpose of the event was to establish Taoyuan City as the leading vegetarian-friendly city in Taiwan. According to Mayor Cheng, around 30% of Taiwan’s vegan protein products are made in Taoyuan. The tofu producers of Daxi are perhaps the most famous for their dried tofu (豆乾   dougan). The ECCT was invited to participate given the growing popularity of veganism in Europe and the chamber’s support for sustainable living and diets.  

In addition to vegan food, the event also featured art, handicrafts and performances by dancers and singers. After the introduction, attendees were free to explore all the booths and sample the vegetarian food, which included around 100 vendors, offering a variety of vegetarian cuisine, ranging from Chinese dumplings to Mexican tacos, Indian dosas, tea and juices and desserts, including vegan ice cream. Mayor Chang touted the great success of the event, noting that on the evening of the first day, organisers had to finally resort to turning off the lights because hundreds of visitors were reluctant to leave the venue.   

A vegan diet benefits the planet in numerous ways. Firstly, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly as livestock farming is a major contributor to climate change. Secondly, it conserves water resources, as animal agriculture requires vast amounts of water for production. In addition, a vegan diet helps preserve biodiversity by reducing deforestation for livestock grazing and feed crops. It also minimizes pollution from animal waste and antibiotics used in farming. Lastly, promoting plant-based diets can lead to more sustainable food systems, reducing land degradation and promoting healthier ecosystems. Veganism therefore has a major role to play in fostering environmental sustainability.