Hundreds of individuals are expected to start the challenge on Monday to go one week zero meat as part of the Malta Meat Free Week challenge, organised by VeggyMalta.com

The organisers said that this is the first time a meat free campaign has taken place in Malta with the theme – One Week Zero Meat.

Starting this Monday, the 22nd until the 28th of October,the initiative is targeted at increasing the growing community of vegans, vegetarians and also flexitarians (people who consume very little meat) in Malta.

VeggyMalta said that the challenge is not trying to get people to quit meat forever “but to increase awareness of how easy it is to reduce and remove meat products from your life – to eat tasty healthy food.”

They explained that there are a number of reasons why everyone should consider taking the challenge and going – one week zero meat. “Health is the first, especially if you are concerned about the usage of antibiotics and hormones in animal feed. Animal welfare is another reason.”

“There are over 50 billion farmed animals killed every year by humans (and this figure does not include fish). There also are environmental reasons,” it said.

VeggyMalta went on to say that livestock farming contributes 18% of human produced greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. “This is more than all emissions from ships, planes, trucks, cars and all other transport put together.”

And finally, there is world hunger – The organisers pointed out that if all the grain were fed to humans instead of animals, it would feed an extra 3.5 billion people. More than enough to feed the 800 million people who do not have enough food to lead a healthy active life.

Malta Meat Free Week organiser Darryl Grima said that, “the Malta Free Week is unique in that it brings together individuals taking the challenge, importers and retailers and restaurants in one common aim. Abroad meat free challenges are primarily aimed at the participants. We wanted to involve retailers and restaurants to make it easy for people to try going one week zero meat.”

He added that “over 130 shops and online shops across Malta and Gozo have chosen to support the initiative and will be offering products at discounted prices some starting as of yesterday and others as of Monday, the 22nd. A number of restaurants too are participating and making additional meat free offers for their clients for the week.”

Darryl Grima said that some local personalities have chosen to take up the challenge. These include TV Host/producer Moira Delia, radio personalities Daniel & Ylenia, national tennis player Elaine Genovese along with other individual active on social media.

Those who want to join the challenge can do so by going on www.maltameatfreeweek.com and join online and can try to win €200 worth of products by Valsoia. The initiative also has a facebook page. The campaign is sponsored by Valsoia as main sponsor and Green Vie and Lamb Brand as sponsors.

A number of organisations, groups and blogs have supported this initiative including The Vegetarian Society of Malta, MSPCA, The Malta Vegan Society, The Island Sanctuary, Marrow Health, Cruelty Free Malta and Vegan Malta.

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