Vegan Food News of the Week: Juneteenth Cookies, Peach Pride Shakes, and More

It seems like every week the news in the vegan food world is more exciting than the last and this week is no exception. June is when summer really begins and the celebrations have already begun.

At Maya’s Cookies, a special Juneteenth vegan cookie set satisfies our sweet tooth cravings. At vegan chain Next Level Burger, celebrating Pride Month means getting a frozen peach shake that supports an LGBTQIA+ organization chosen by team members at each location.

And Dr. Preggers is putting a new spin on birthday celebrations with its sprinkle-covered Birthday Littles (a bite that hides five different vegetables). Read on for more.

1Mayer Cookies celebrates Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, and Emancipation Day, is celebrated to commemorate June 19, 1865—the day the last enslaved black Americans were freed, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

To celebrate this year’s federal holiday, black-owned vegan business Maya’s Cookies released a special three-cookie Black-History All-Stars Collection inspired by poet Amanda Gorman, cheerleader Nathan “Nearest” Greene (Uncle Nearest) and Godmother of Soul, Patti LaBelle.

Mayer’s Cookies

These flavors were selected from previous collections dedicated to legendary Black Americans by founder Maya Madsen, and a portion of their sales will support Black Girls Code, an organization that empowers young women of color to work in the tech industry.

“Over the past 3 years, our Black History-inspired cookies have really resonated with people, and I’m thrilled to bring back some fan favorites to celebrate Juneteenth,” Madsen said in a statement.

“Donating a portion of the proceeds to Black Girls Code was a no-brainer,” Madsen said. “This collection is a tribute to black excellence and those successes and opportunities we should share with our next generation of leaders.”

The Black-History All-Star Cookie Collection is now available on the Myer Cookies website, and individual cookies can be purchased in stores in San Diego and San Mateo, California.

2Mushroom breakfast sausage

Nature’s Fynd uses microbial fermentation to create its vegetarian meat powered by a little fungus called “Fy,” an animal-free complete protein that contains 20 amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Another unique thing about this vegetarian meat is that Fy originates from the thermal hot springs found in Yellowstone National Park.

Fynd of nature

Curious? Well, now you can to go Nature’s Fynd in more stores as it just expanded its vegetarian breakfast sausage to 398 Whole Foods Markets nationwide.

“We’re hopeful that this expanded distribution will allow more people to enjoy our meatless patties and incorporate sustainability into their everyday lives when shopping for groceries,” Thomas Jonas, CEO and co-founder of Nature’s Find, said in a statement.

“We are a purpose-driven company that aims to nourish people and the planet,” Jonas said.

The Chicago-based company also makes vegan cream cheese using Fy, the original and chive and onion flavors available at Sprouts Farmers Market stores.

3Moroccan food at Whole Foods

In addition to Nature’s Fynd, Whole Foods shoppers will find another new vegan product line on shelves as Mina makes its retail debut this week.

North African company Mina is bringing a taste of Morocco to 500 Whole Foods Markets with four ready-to-eat vegan stews and soups: Hummus Moroccan Chickpea Stew; Moroccan Lentil Stew; Lubia Moroccan White Bean Stew; and Harira Moroccan chickpea and lentil soup.

Mina

“Tradition runs deep in our family kitchen, and our mother Mina’s recipes are at its core,” Mina’s founder, Fouad Kalamani, said in a statement. “Warm, inviting aromas will fill the air as her pot simmers with a rich blend of fresh ingredients, herbs and spices.”

“Now, we bring this flavorful legacy of traditional stewed beans from the minar ovens of Morocco to your modern table,” says Kalamoni.

Although the stews and soups it launched at Whole Foods are made without animal products, Mina is not a vegan company.

4Dr. Prager’s Birthday Little Ones

At Target, Dr. Preggers is helping parents and kids celebrate birthdays (or just summer sun) with new veggie-packed bites.

The new Birthday Littles come in a fun star shape and are packed with five vegetables: zucchini, navy beans, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and butternut squash. To celebrate them, the company infused the little ones with colorful dye-free and school-safe sprinkles made by Supernatural Kitchen.

Dr. Prager’s

The new Birthday Littles join Dr. Pryger’s collection of 13 other “littles” that come in fun shapes, including Brownie Littles, another Target exclusive with hidden veggies.

Other vegetarian products in the line are Chicken, Spinach Chicken, Pea Carrot and Chicken, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal and Blueberry Oatmeal. Other flavors contain egg.

5Trembling with vegan pride

This week marks the beginning of Pride Month, a time to celebrate and promote the LGBTQIA+ community. One way to do this is with a colorful dairy-free shake and vegan fast-food chain Next Level Burger (NLB) that’s just the thing.

This month’s special is the Peachy Passion Pride Shake made with a house-made organic soy or organic coconut soft-serve ice cream base handcrafted with organic peaches and passionfruit, topped with whipped cream, rainbow sugar and a rainbow love gummy. .

Next level burgers

“From the beginning, NLB was built on the foundation of inclusion,” NLB co-founder Matt DeGruyter told VegNews. “We believe that the new America is an America that celebrates diversity.”

In addition to the Pride Shake, NLB stores will celebrate community throughout June with rainbow-lit “Love Wins” messaging on its redesigned to-go bags.

“As we celebrate Pride this month, we reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go for the LGBTQIA+ community,” he said.

Throughout June, all 10 NLB locations will donate a portion of sales to local LGBTQ+ nonprofits selected by each store’s team members, including the Q Center in Portland, Oregon; Gay City in Seattle, Washington; and Colfax’s headquarters in Denver, Colorado.

“We’re excited to celebrate pride at NLB and have some fun making a difference in our community by supporting local organizations selected by our general managing partners,” he said.