Vegan in Australia?

jlo5616 · #1 (**permalink**) 15th July 2008, 04:50 AM

Anyone got any tips for two vegans hoping to move to Australia? Where to shop? Is it difficult to find vegan items? Are there co-ops or natural food stores? Are they only in certain types of areas?

I'd love to hear about any related places too like organic clothing stores, vegan or vegetarian festivals, farm sanctuaries, etc.

Dolly · #2 (**permalink**) 15th July 2008, 05:44 AM

Hi,

Not sure about vegan food, but I'm vegetarian and I'm struggling to find decent food in supermarkets.

Dolly

Tiffani · #3 (**permalink**) 15th July 2008, 06:19 AM

there are plenty of markets about, especially in Summer. where are you thinking of moving? You may have a harder time finding vegan products in a provincial area than you would in a big city which will cater to every need.

kaz101 · #4 (**permalink**) 15th July 2008, 08:01 AM

I'm a carnivore and we live in rural Australia (it's the second largest city in South Australia but still pretty isolated) and I got funny looks at a BBQ when I didn't want any burgers!

A friend of mine is a strict vegetarian and she found it tough over here on holiday a few years ago.

I would have thought you would be okay in a major city but most Aussies appears to be carnivores.

Regards,
Karen

pjmpjm · #5 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 04:29 AM

I've been living in Australia for 35 years now and have been a vegetarian all that time. My experience has been that, over the past 10 years or so, vegetarian options have increased markedly, at least in the greater Sydney area. (I suspect the same is true for most urban centres in Australia.) Why not use Google and check further? I'm presently living in the Blue Mountains and find vegetarian options everywhere I go.

anj1976 · #6 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 08:17 AM

I dont think there might be any place which would not have veggie food. Being an Indian, we are too much inclined towards home cooked food, which is not the case in most of the western countries. People abroad live on food available in the market. A cousin of mine, now in spain cooks food at home only 3-4 times a week, but here in India we do not cook food at home only when we are invited at someone else's place for dinner or lunch or breakfast. Eating home cooked food is always healthier.
We do eat out but not very often. Most of the people I know who are vegetarians, eat at home and dont prefer eating out too much, because they are vegetarians because of religion sentiments or restrictions. I still do not understand why vegetarians would have a problem at any place. Vegetable will always be available, no matter what. So is it to do with not cooking at home or what?

jlo5616 · #7 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 04:19 PM

Thanks everyone.

anj1976 - home cooking is fine and good, but I guess what I meant was are popular vegetarian items available in stores in Australia? I've grown fond of buying veggie burgers and other mock meats to make at home, soy icecream/cream cheese/sour cream/milk/butter/etc., and I was wondering if the same items/brands are available i.e. Boca, Morningstar, Tofurky, Tofutti, Soy Delicious, Silk, etc.

kaz101 · #8 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlo5616

Thanks everyone.

anj1976 - home cooking is fine and good, but I guess what I meant was are popular vegetarian items available in stores in Australia? I've grown fond of buying veggie burgers and other mock meats to make at home, soy icecream/cream cheese/sour cream/milk/butter/etc., and I was wondering if the same items/brands are available i.e. Boca, Morningstar, Tofurky, Tofutti, Soy Delicious, Silk, etc.

Tofu is certainly available in our local Coles (supermarket) as is Soy products, but I don't really pay much attention since I don't use them so I'm not sure about brands.

Regards,
Karen

anj1976 · #9 (**permalink**) 18th July 2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlo5616

Thanks everyone.

anj1976 - home cooking is fine and good, but I guess what I meant was are popular vegetarian items available in stores in Australia? I've grown fond of buying veggie burgers and other mock meats to make at home, soy icecream/cream cheese/sour cream/milk/butter/etc., and I was wondering if the same items/brands are available i.e. Boca, Morningstar, Tofurky, Tofutti, Soy Delicious, Silk, etc.

Hmmm.. I checked at stores that are listed on the net, they have most of things available.
Being an Indian my biggest concern was availability of Indian spices and other veggies, but after talking to all the people residing at some or the other place in OZ i feel much comfortable. According to them everything is available. Spices, herbs, Veggies, almost everything. And as for burgers etc are concerned, i make everything at home. Throw in some veggies and some potatoes and you can make the healthiest of burgers.

.

We even make cottage cheese at home using either soya milk or the regular dairy milk. Dont worry, this should not be of concern.

. My husband is a vegetarian and I take chicken once in a while, can not eat red meat. I used to think a lot about food since my husband is a big big foodie. but after the conversation i had with my friends, i am not worried at all. There are so many other things that are killing me, Food concern is comfortably sleeping in the back of my mind.

And from the statistics that I keep reading, more and more people are turning vegetarian around the world now.

Tiffani · #10 (**permalink**) 18th July 2008, 05:44 AM

you're right Anj, you can find pretty much whatever you need here as long as you know where to look. Indian spices are ubiquitous

jlo -- As for the actual brands of veggie and vegan foods that are back home, I don't know if they are here or not. Sometimes Australia won't import certain items for quarantine purposes; other times the market simply isn't big enough for companies to invest. But I have been able to find MOST of the things I liked from back home, and if the particular brand isn't available here, a suitable alternative can usually be found