Did you catch the big Netflix news? A brand-new plant-based dating show, Love Is Vegan, was supposedly heading to the streaming service, hosted by vegan power couple Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.
In case you missed it, that story was our April Fool’s joke for 2026. If you fell for it, we’re sorry—but we have to admit, it would be a pretty great concept. Maybe Netflix will take note?
If you’ve had enough pranks (sorry, not sorry), everything below is the real deal. It might sound too good to be true, but yes, you really can score free food at IKEA this weekend, and there’s a new vegan Oreo flavor on shelves right now.
Read on for all the details and more.
IKEA is giving away Plant Balls as part of its March Madness promotions. | IKEA
How to get free vegan meatballs at IKEA this weekend
Whether you love basketball or not, you can still take advantage of IKEA’s March Madness-inspired deals this Easter weekend. The Swedish furniture giant—beloved for its affordable homeware and vegan-friendly food court—has been running Meatball Madness promotions all March, and the fun isn’t over yet.
From April 4 to April 6, you can score four free Plant Balls with the purchase of any adult entrée. In other words, order falafel or pasta marinara, and you’ll get four Plant Balls on the side, on the house. We’re in.
S’mOreos are the latest, accidentally vegan cookie from Oreo. | Oreo
New summer-flavored s’mores Oreos are now hitting shelves
If one of your favorite things about summer is camping outdoors and toasting marshmallows, you can get into the spirit a little early with s’mores-flavored Oreo cookies. Aptly dubbed S’mOreos, this limited-edition flavor (like many of the brand’s releases) is totally vegan. Each cookie features chocolate and marshmallow-flavored creme sandwiched between two golden graham-style biscuits. They’re already hitting shelves at major retailers across the US.
Babybel recently unveiled a new formula for its plant-based snacking cheese. | Babybel
Fans were mixed on vegan Babybel cheese. Will the new recipe change minds?
Babybel’s vegan cheese first hit shelves in 2022, and while many shoppers were excited about the dairy-free option, others were less convinced. In fact, some even compared the texture to plastic.
Now, likely in a bid to win over more fans, the brand has introduced a new recipe made with fava bean protein. According to Babybel, the updated version offers a softer texture with “improved taste and nutrition.” Will it win over skeptics? There’s only one way to find out: put it to the taste test.
Blackbird Foods’ mini pizzas are now available at Sprouts Farmers Market. | VegNews
Blackbird Foods vegan mini pizzas are expanding
In 2025, an exciting new product hit shelves: mini vegan pizzas from Blackbird Foods. Now, it’s even easier to get your hands on a slice, as they’ve rolled out to freezer aisles at Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide.
Each mini pizza measures five inches across and comes in two varieties: cheese and pepperoni. In our opinion, they’re the perfect family-friendly Friday night treat.
Le Petit Monstre in Brooklyn is closing April 4. | Le Petit Monstre
New York City’s vegan patisserie is closing
Popular Brooklyn pâtisserie Le Petit Monstre is closing its doors. The vegan French bakery—which also doubles as a café and wine bar—recently shared the news on Instagram. It’s far from the first plant-based spot to shutter amid a challenging economic climate.
“Let me start by saying this is not a sad time, it’s simply a closing of a chapter,” wrote founder Elle Barton. “We tried many ways over the years to make our weekdays look like the weekends. After [more than five] years, I have to call it.”
The final day of service will be April 4. But it’s not all bad news: Barton’s other venture, vegan cocktail and empanada spot Izzy Rose, remains open. “Come visit us at Izzy, and please stay tuned for new exciting projects we are debuting this year,” Barton added.
Moea and La Vie have teamed up for a shoe collab. | Moea x La Vie
France’s leading vegan bacon brand is launching shoes—and they’re pretty cute
Nope, it’s not an April Fool’s joke. French vegan brand La Vie has teamed up with Moea to launch its own sneakers, and we have to admit, they’re pretty cute.
Made with CornSkin and a rubber insole, the shoes come in La Vie’s signature pink shade. Even better, each pair gives back: 100 percent of profits are being donated to animal rescue nonprofit YouCare France. Move fast to pre-order, there’s only a limited quantity available.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
