Beanie's
Beanie's are a small family outfit based on the South Coast, and specialise in distributing premium vegan products - including the well known FRY's range of vegan meat alternatives. Beanie's are also very well known throughout the UK for actively supporting a number of vegan and cruelty free projects - including sponsoring both the guide and the fayre here in Bristol. "We set up four years ago," says Lisa, who together with her dad Pat runs Beanie's, "and it just hasn't stopped since. We've seen a huge growth of interest in our products and have been swept off our feet - but fortunately we've enjoyed amazing support from our fantastic family, who very generously help out all the time, doing the website, designing our adverts and most importantly cooking up the free samples and chatting to our customers at the shows. We couldn't have done it without them."
And the rest of us are pretty grateful too, as the Fry's range is, along with Redwood, the best in the country by some stretch. There are ten different products in the range, including burgers, schnitzels, sausages, cutlets, hot dogs and nuggets, and not only are they all approved by the Vegan Society but are also kosher and GM free, as well as being free from hydrogenated fats, additives and colourings. Products like these remove the need for meat in your diet overnight. They make the transition from carnivore to vegan not only easy, but pleasurable too. And extremely accessible.
Available across the UK, including Wild Oats and Fresh and Wild in Bristol, Mother Nature in Portishead and numerous other outlets in the South West (including Holland and Barrett), Fry's is perhaps the best known of the products that Beanie's distribute. But many are familiar with another range that Beanie's distribute - the African Bush Teas, available in three flavours, Redbush, Redbush with Lemongrass, and Honeybush (great for vegans who miss honey as it has a sweet honey-ish flavour). And Beanie's are always on the lookout for innovative new vegan products to add to their current catalogue.
"Being vegan is so important to me," adds Lisa. "Being healthy and happy, living your life with a clear conscience knowing that you are not contributing towards the hideous suffering or death of any animals - it's better for our planet too. We love what we do - and especially when we come to Bristol for the Fayre, it's a chance to catch up with our friends and customers, spread the vegan message and of course spend too much money on all the fabulous vegan products that are available."
One of the best things about the UK vegan lifestyle is that it is fueled by dedicated people who love what they do and are passionate about their products and their conduct. And none more so than Beanie's. Lisa has good words for everyone, and its perhaps fitting that she reserves her best words for her dad, Pat, who is the main drive behind the firm. "He's a superstar" she says, "he's single - handedly worked his socks off for the past four years to get Beanie's where it is today - he should be given a medal for all that he's achieved, especially when he should be retiring and taking it easy."
We agree. But we have a sneaking suspicion that Pat is equally impressed with his daughter's contribution, as well as the rest of the family. Time and again they have shown their dedication, commitment and sheer good manners for all things vegan and cruelty free. Fry's must be absolutely honored that they have such a Champions League distribution team as Beanie's in the UK. We love you, Beanie's, we love you dearly. Welcome in Bristol any day. Gert Lush.