By: Shriya Swaminathan
While embarking on her vegan adventure, Amber Ward was amazed when she began learning about the rich history of plant-based cooking. In fact, veganism is not the niche lifestyle it is often perceived to be! On the contrary, plant milks and cheeses have been around for centuries only to be pushed to the sidelines by the powerful animal agricultural corporations. With her exciting new venture- the Milk Future virtual pop up Museum, Amber seeks to educate the public and revive the culinary knowledge that has been awaiting its rediscovery. We at VEGWORLD are so grateful that she agreed to share her inspiring story with us!
VW: We always love to start at your vegan story- what got you interested in this lifestyle?
Amber: Growing up, I always LOVED cooking shows. I preferred them over Disney channel too! Being creative with food was a source of joy for me as a kid. I also loved animals and always wanted a dog as a kid but never had a personal relationship with them as a child. But perhaps my love for them could have been those early seeds that were planted to make the connection with the food on my plate later on. The awareness around veganism came much later in college, when I watched some compelling documentaries like Cowspiracy and What the Health. Once the veil was lifted, looking back was never an option. Plus, I went to NYU, where the vegan scenes are very active as well. I feel fortunate for having access to resources that eased my transition into veganism.
VW: Where did your inspiration for Milk Future come from? Is there a reason why you chose to focus on dairy in this concept?
Amber: The idea was really to get people up close and personal with the rich history of plant-based milk, the obstacles faced in having plant milks go mainstream, and of course the umpteen benefits for the planet and animals when choosing plant-based over animal-based milk products. I felt it was important to create an immersive space and one-stop-shop to take in all this information in the most engaging way. It’s important that people learn while also being entertained- it’s certainly more impactful!
VW: Your approach delving into the history of plant milks is fascinating! Can you walk us through how you decided that was going to be your effective strategy?
Amber: Full disclosure- my first thought was to go the route of addressing why animal dairy is not the way to go. But as my research began to unfold, I was amazed by a whole wealth of information about the history of plant milks I had no idea existed! In fact, an American couple from Tennessee had a cookbook with over a hundred recipes featuring plant-based milks and cheeses way back in the early 1930s! And if that isn’t mind-blowing enough, the earliest documented plant milk dates back to the early 13th century in Baghdad….and it was almond milk! It really hit me then that “plant-based” is not a new trend, and that we must celebrate those who came before us and paved the way for what the movement is growing to be. We are seeing a skyrocketing growth in plant-milk purchases and I truly feel that the hidden history of plant milks deserves its pedestal- especially since almond milk or oat milk was definitely not “in vogue” at that time!
VW: How would you describe your experience of putting this amazing initiative together?
Amber: I’m immensely grateful for all the support over the past 3 months of putting this initiative together. It’s truly been a collaborative effort. Getting to interact with amazing companies like Califia Farms and Miyokos Creamery, animal sanctuaries across the globe, vegan artists, and chefs- it’s all been so inspiring! Bringing all these pioneers together to collectively depict the story of plant-based milk products has been a great experience. Everyone was eager to collaborate and I believe that it’s a testament to the dedication to educate our communities and do good for all lives on the planet. I find that most of these plant-based companies are very mission driven and the support from vegan non-profits is unparalleled!
VW: What can visitors expect when they enter this virtual Pop- Up museum?
Amber: When you enter the museum, you’ll see a variety of photos of different plant milks, their histories, how to make it and use them in recipes, portraits of the inventors of some of our favorite plant milks and other products, informative charts and graphs. You’ll learn all about current events ranging from legal battles on how to label plant-based products, the lobbying efforts from large animal agricultural corporations, to the innovative entrepreneurs who are stepping up to the challenge and trailblazing the vegan movement. We also have an entire section dedicated to animals where we include the stories of animals rescued from the dairy industries. Overall, we want to provide a comprehensive learning experience to our guests.
VW: Do you foresee doing a similar event delving into the histories of other plant products that we are seeing as delicious replacements for animal products?
Amber: I would absolutely love to! Just diving into the research of plant milks was quite an overwhelming undertaking. I can’t imagine the depth of information waiting to be uncovered in other areas like food and fashion!
VW: What are your thoughts on potentially having a brick and mortar location for a museum?
Amber: I think that would be great! I’m an events person at the core and love bringing people together in person where they can engage with the content up close. So hopefully once it’s safe to do so, I can explore that idea more. Plus, we can have plant milks, desserts, and cheeses for people to sample- seems like a fun and delicious experience to me!
VW: What does the model for the Milk Future museum look out for guests who want to check it out?
Amber: The museum is available for free, unlimited access, 24/7 from February 1st- 28th, 2021. Folks can hop in and absorb as much information as they are willing to and resume at any time. We will also offer exciting events throughout the month like virtual farm sanctuary tours, a mixology class where you can learn how to make inventive cocktails from plant milks, and so much more! These events will be on a donation basis left to the guests’ capacity.
VW: The work you’re doing is truly inspiring! On that note, whose journey in the vegan community were you most inspired by to stay active in your advocacy?
Amber: Definitely Miyoko Schinner! I had the privilege of meeting her when she was speaking at the VEGPRENEUR Summit a couple months ago. She radiates compassion and was the most inspiring person I’ve met in a very long time. Her drive is so infectious— it makes you want to get out there and make the world a better place!
VW: We are truly in awe of your passion and are so thankful for the work that you’re doing! Before we let you go, tell us what your favorite plant milk brands are!
Amber: I LOVE oat in all of its forms- milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream- the whole package! Unfortunately I’m allergic to nuts, but am still happy and thriving on a vegan lifestyle! In terms of brands, I have different favorites for different products. My go to for cheese is Miyokos Cultured Farmhouse Cheddar, for chocolates, I really like Raaka’s line of vegan chocolates, which are also transparently traded. And lastly for creamers, I enjoy Nod Foods oat milk creamer. In fact, Nod Foods will also be featured in our Dairy-Free Discovery Box that we will be selling throughout the month so people can explore some delicious plant-based products!
Amber’s dedication to delivering the vegan message while uplifting our communities is a testament to her ambition. We are thrilled for the Milk Future team and the many people who will be educated and empowered by this initiative. To support the creative team, follow them on Instagram and pay a visit to their website for more details!
About Amber Ward
Amber Ward is the founder behind Milk Future, a virtual reality pop-up museum dedicated to plant-based milk. Since graduating from New York University’s music program in 2018, Amber has launched various ventures including Songathon, the world’s first 24-hour songwriting competition which has been featured in publications like The Grammys and Variety. A passionate advocate of plant-based innovation, Amber also helps run VEGPRENEUR, a global community of entrepreneurs building plant-based businesses. When she’s not in front of a computer, she can most likely be found making homemade ice cream or attempting to veganize Gordon Ramsay recipes.
Image sources: Milk Future, VEGPRENEUR
