Who Owns Veganism? Brands, Culture Wars & Vegan Influencers

This week, I’m digging into some fascinating and occasionally infuriating vegan conversations happening online.

First up: Miyoko Creamery. Miyoko Schinner reviews the current Myoko-branded cream cheese and explains why she has nothing to do with the product bearing her name. We get into what happened to the company she founded, how the brand changed, and what it means when a vegan brand becomes disconnected from the person and mission that built it.

Then we jump into the increasingly strange world of vegan as a political insult, where politicians are apparently using the word as a culture-war weapon. Why has something as simple as not eating animals become wrapped up in masculinity, politics and identity?

And finally, we get into vegan content creators and the engagement trap. Is “vegan except for ice cream” a useful gateway to eating more plant-based or does it water down the vegan message? And what happens when vegan influencers keep posting old non-vegan food content after they supposedly make the transition?

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