Recently in December of 2018, Los Angeles city councilman Paul Koretz proposed a bill that would require city movie theaters, council halls, zoo, airport, and sports venues to offer at least one vegan food choice on their menus. The bill was announced at a press conference at City Hall, where councilman Koretz was accompanied by representatives from the Humane League, PETA, and the Los Angeles Food Policy Council.
Considering Los Angeles is already known as one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world, with more than 150 vegan establishments and many vegan festivals happening annually, it makes sense for movie theatres and other venues to follow suit.
If this bill becomes a city mandate, it will make Los Angeles the first city in the United States to hold this law. Ben Williamson, a PETA spokesman who in attendance at the press conference, said, “If you’re going to pay $12 for a box of popcorn, you don’t want any animal to have suffered for it.” While many theaters offer vegan popcorn (which is often made with canola or a similar vegetable oil), few offer other vegan items of substance. Major theater chains that operate in Los Angeles include big names such as AMC, Regal, Cinemark, iPic, Laemmle, and Landmark.
In recent news, one plant-based food brand is leading the way in response to the councilman’s bill request. Fry Family Food Company, a global plant-based food brand with roots in South Africa, has partnered with Laemmle Theatres, also family owned, to bring delicious and healthy vegan products to three of the theatre’s locations around Los Angeles. Laemmle Theatres will be the first entertainment venue in the United States to sell Fry products, which are already available in 27 countries around the world.
You can now find Fry’s Chik’n Style Chia Nuggets (non-GMO and gluten-free) in Laemmle Theatres in North Hollywood, Glendale, and Santa Monica. Fry Family Food Company and Laemmle Theatres hope that their efforts will inspire other venues in the area to take action as well.
