Chattanooga Wins Spot on PETA’s ‘Vegan-Friendly Cities’ List

For Immediate Release:
December 16, 2020

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

The results are in for PETA’s 2020 ranking of the Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Small Cities in the U.S., and Chattanooga’s vegan festival and food—including dozens of vegan-friendly restaurants—have landed it the number seven spot on the list. In recognition, PETA has sent an award certificate to Mayor Andy Berke.

For many years, PETA has named the most vegan-friendly big cities in the U.S. This year, as so many people are migrating to smaller cities in the midst of COVID-19, PETA has shifted its sights, too, and has picked the country’s top 10 most vegan-friendly small cities.

“The small cities on PETA’s list are big hot spots for the delicious animal-friendly cuisine that today’s diners demand,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Whether you’re looking for a fish-free fillet sandwich, vegan biscuits and gravy, or a decadent dairy-free dessert, Chattanooga’s got it.”

Chattanooga celebrated its first vegan festival—ChattaVegan—last year, and its many standout eateries include Cashew, an all-vegan café and bakery where customer favorites include Jackfruit Nachos (piled high with cashew cheese, BBQ jackfruit, coleslaw, and dill ranch) and the Meatball Bowl (garlicky kale topped with house-made vegan meatballs, marinara, and cashew cheese). Don’t miss the special vegan menu at Taco Mamacita or its Freakin Vegan tacos stuffed with green chile rice, beans, fresh escabeche, guacamole, and more—and check out Chattanooga’s first vegan deli, Your Local Seitanist, which offers vegan clubs, melts, burgers, and more, plus house-made holiday roasts.

The number of vegan Americans has increased by 600% in just three years, according to research firm GlobalData. Each person who goes vegan prevents nearly 200 animals a year from enduring daily suffering and a terrifying death; dramatically shrinks their carbon footprint; reduces their risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes; and helps prevent future pandemics. SARS, swine flu, bird flu, and COVID-19 all stemmed from confining or killing animals for food.

Topping PETA’s list is Asheville, North Carolina, followed by Dayton, Ohio; Frederick, Maryland; Tacoma, Washington; Boise, Idaho; San Marcos, Texas; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bend, Oregon; and Bisbee, Arizona.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.