Welcome to the First Edition of Our California Newsletter 🌱
Dear Vegan Leader,
Welcome to our first regional newsletter for vegan corporate professionals in California.
My name is Justin, and I’m the Regional Engagement Manager for California and a Sustainability Initiatives Volunteer with Vegan Leaders in Corporate Management (VLCM), based here in California.
(To receive future newsletters, join our network on LinkedIn)
🌱 Why this newsletter?
This newsletter is designed to help us connect with one another, spotlight upcoming vegan and sustainability‑aligned events across our region, and share ideas for impactful initiatives you can lead (or support) in your workplace.
We’re excited to share that the VLCM LinkedIn Group now includes over 350 Vegan Leaders in California.
To respect member privacy, we share numbers rather than names. That said, if you’d like a few individual connections for networking or collaboration, you’re welcome to submit a request here. At VLCM, we especially encourage requests such as:
Names of other vegans at your company to help start a plant‑based employee group
Names of vegan professionals in your city or metro area to build local friendships and community
🚀 Enrolment Open: Workplace Catalyst for Change Program
Vegan Leaders created the Workplace Catalyst for Change Program to help you turn your values into tangible, measurable impact inside your organization — from canteen audits and supplier conversations to lunch‑and‑learns and culture change.
This free, signature VLCM program supports you step by step to:
Start or strengthen a vegan initiative at work
Build confidence as a workplace changemaker
Collaborate directly with global VLCM leaders
Turn your ideas into measurable impact
If you’ve ever wished for clearer guidance, mentorship, or practical tools to help you create positive change at work, this program was built for you.
📆 Upcoming events
Here’s a curated list of events happening across California this year — spanning food innovation, health and nutrition, sustainability, and community — that may be relevant to your interests and professional goals.
San Diego Vegan Festival | May 10, San Diego
FREE, family‑friendly festival at the County Waterfront Park. Food, goods, and community — a great opportunity to bring vegan‑curious friends or colleagues.
Power of the Plate Conference | May 14–17, San Diego (Let me know if you're coming, I'll be there!)
A cross‑sector gathering of clinicians, nutritionists, food system leaders, and sustainability professionals. Strong on evidence and real‑world application. Formerly the Plant‑Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference (PBNHC).
Santa Cruz VegFest | June 6, Santa Cruz
A beloved community festival celebrating plant‑based and cruelty‑free living, drawing thousands of attendees and local vendors. A great Central Coast option.
State of the Science Summit: Reducing Methane | June 16–18, Sacramento
Hosted by UC Davis, this summit brings together researchers and policymakers to discuss mitigating methane in animal agriculture.
6th Fermentation-Enabled Alternative Protein Summit | June 23, San Francisco
A technical and industry-focused event at the Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, centering on sustainable protein alternatives through fermentation.
📣 News
Fermeate secures $2M to scale light‑controlled fermentation
In April 2026, California startup Fermeate raised a $2 million seed round led by Newfund Capital. The company is scaling an optogenetics platform that uses light to control gene expression during fermentation, boosting yields and lowering costs without new bioreactor build‑out.
US food service companies falling short on plant‑based protein
A 2026 scorecard from Humane World for Animals shows most major US food service operators are still failing to deliver on plant‑based commitments. While a handful made measurable progress, 22 companies received failing grades — highlighting a persistent gap between sustainability pledges and action.
Beyond Meat launches Spicy Buffalo plant‑based chicken at Kroger
Beyond Meat has added a Spicy Buffalo flavour to its Beyond Chicken Pieces, rolling out to more than 2,000 Kroger stores in April 2026. The launch supports the company’s renewed focus on cleaner formulations and expanded mainstream retail presence.
Thank you for being part of this growing community. California has extraordinary influence — on food culture, industry, and policy — and each of you plays a role in shaping what comes next.
With gratitude,
Justin Wilken
Regional Engagement Manager – California
Vegan Leaders in Corporate Management
