Magazine Examines Food Network’s Lack of Vegan Coverage

In a recent feature in Paste Magazine, writer Justin Lawrence Daugherty points out that the lack of vegan shows on the Food Network is suspicious given the changing diets of viewers. “Any basket on Chopped containing no meat will receive groans or outright scorn from contestants,” Daugherty says, adding, “Give cooks tofu, and they will revolt.” The writer explains that despite America’s meat-centric culture, many Food Network viewers have become increasingly concerned about reducing their intake of animal products for various reasons. “The Food Network’s lack of vegetarian or vegan representation or inaction on celebrating plant-based foods goes counter to what their demographic and viewership want,” Daugherty said. Television channel A&E began to air vegan show Plant-Based by Nafsika in July. However, despite nearly 15,000 petition signatures, the Food Network has not announced plans to create an all-vegan program.