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Vegan food geographies and the rise of Big Veganism

Sexton, Alexandra E.; Garnett, Tara; Lorimer, Jamie

Authors

Tara Garnett

Jamie Lorimer



Abstract

Veganism is the subject of an increasingly diverse body of social scientific research, yet it remains relatively understudied in geography. Meanwhile, contemporary cultural commentaries note how veganism has gone mainstream, with critics warning of veganism’s corporate nature – expressed in the rise of what we term ‘Big Veganism’. We argue that food geographers are well placed to examine these trends. We first review vegan studies work beyond geography that examines and critiques the mainstreaming of veganism. We focus on literature that explores multiple contested modes of veganism, veganism as praxis in place and the rise of corporate veganism as useful foundations for geographers to build on, particularly in light of currently unfolding developments in vegan cultures and practice. Taking this work forward, we identify four conceptual traditions from research in food geographies – following foodways, alternative food networks and the cultural and material politics of eating – to develop a ‘vegan food geographies’ programme that aims to advance critical geographic work on veganism and the emerging implications of its contemporary mainstreaming.

Citation

Sexton, A. E., Garnett, T., & Lorimer, J. (2022). Vegan food geographies and the rise of Big Veganism. Progress in Human Geography, 46(2), 605-628. https://doi.org/10.1177/03091325211051021

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 1, 2022
Online Publication Date Jan 29, 2022
Publication Date 2022-04
Deposit Date Mar 12, 2025
Journal Progress in Human Geography
Print ISSN 0309-1325
Electronic ISSN 1477-0288
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 46
Issue 2
Pages 605-628
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/03091325211051021
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3707675