Navaratri, a celebration of auspicious beginnings and a time for profound spiritual reflection, instills in many a desire to embrace simple, sattvic (pure) food choices. Expanding upon this rich tradition, the Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA), in collaboration with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), is embarking on an initiative designed to inspire individuals to embark on a path to a more prosperous life by adopting plant-based dietary options. This campaign, spanning from October 15th to October 24th, carries the theme “Navaratri Se Shubharambh – Switch to Plant-Based Foods.” Its primary aim is to address pressing concerns related to sustainability, climate change, and animal welfare, one plate at a time.
The Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA), boasting a membership of over 125, stands as India’s sole national association dedicated to plant-based foods. PBFIA takes the lead in advancing India’s plant-based foods sector, providing support to startups through strategic partnerships, fostering essential connections, promoting research breakthroughs, advocating for impactful policies, and disseminating critical industry knowledge. The association’s primary focus areas encompass innovation, investment, supply chain management, and policy advocacy, collectively creating an enabling environment for industry expansion. PBFIA’s extensive knowledge and diverse global industry network, as a founding member of the International Plant Based Foods Working Group (IPBFWG), uniquely position it to drive India’s alternative protein strategy by promoting collaboration, guiding policy development, and delivering valuable insights.
The Plant-Based Navaratri Campaign promotes a “Shubharambh,” marking a positive start towards embracing plant-based diets. This not only resonates with ethical values, well-being, and environmental preservation but also paves the way to a more compassionate world. Plant-based foods offer the pleasures of taste, texture, protein, and essential nutrients without any associated guilt, thus contributing to a healthier and more sustainable planet. These food options replace animal-based ingredients, encompassing plant-based dairy, plant-based meat, plant-based eggs, and plant-based seafood, all of which can be relished during these festival days.
Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) & Human Utilization Advisor, South Asia, USSEC, passionately expressed the campaign’s mission, stating, “The Plant-Based Navaratri Campaign is a movement that aims to educate and inspire as many individuals as possible, addressing their questions and guiding them toward embracing plant-based foods as a positive lifestyle change.”
The Plant-Based Navaratri Campaign warmly invites everyone to adopt plant-based foods and embark on a “Shubharambh” towards a healthier and more sustainable way of life.
With the valuable backing of a diverse range of organizations such as ProVeg International, Animal Climate Health Save India, Satvik Vegan Society, Ahimsa Land Foundation, Indian Culinary Forum, World Animal Protection India, FoodTechBiz, IMAGES Group, Mishry Reviews, Indo Agri Food and Feed, and many more, we are empowered to amplify the message of compassion and sustainability even further.
As part of the series of events, a highly impactful webinar is scheduled for the 22nd of October. This webinar will unite people from around the globe to commemorate and underscore the significance of opting for plant-based foods. Additionally, the event will explore the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle and the utilization of plant-based nutrition for addressing various health conditions. To join the webinar, please register at the following link: http://bit.ly/PBNC2023.
The campaign has sparked considerable excitement among the younger generation, who take proactive steps to coordinate outreach initiatives and competitions within their college campuses. It has also garnered enthusiastic backing on social media channels and within educational institutions, like the Indian Institute of Hotel Management Mumbai, where captivating discussions and plant-based food demonstrations are scheduled for their campus on the 20th of October.
The campaign also incorporates product tastings from a diverse array of companies, providing attendees with the chance to savor the delectable realm of plant-based cuisine. These participating companies encompass Another Foods, Born Reborn, Continental Greenbird, BVeg, Blue Tribe, Evo Foods, Evolved Foods, GoodDot, Greenest, goCore Superfood, Grabenord, Get Sain, Hello Tempayy, Hemp Horizons, Plantmade, Plantaway, Plantwise, Shaka Harry, Seaspire, Symega, Urban Tiller, The Vegan Marketer, Urban Platter, Vezlay, Vegan Dukan, Wakao, WhiteCub, and many others.
Furthermore, the campaign joined forces with the Ekatva Plant-Based Food Festival in Delhi on the 15th of October and lent its support to the World Food Day event, which was orchestrated by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and NIFTEM-Kundli in collaboration with the Ind Food & Beverage Association. At this event, students had the pleasure of trying out Continental Greenbird’s plant-based kebabs, plant-based chicken nuggets, and Born Reborn’s millet-based products, creating a delightful culinary experience.
For the latest updates on captivating plant-based recipes, commitments, health advantages, and environmental implications, make sure to track the campaign’s social media profiles, using the hashtag #PlantBasedNavaratri.
For further information, kindly get in touch with Sanjay Sethi, who serves as the Executive Director of the Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) and holds the role of Human Utilization Advisor for South Asia with the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC). You can reach him at +91 9004777119 or email him at [email protected].
