For vegans a meat and dairy free diet isn’t just about health – it’s about leading a sustainable life.

And that’s the message Huddersfield Vegans want to promote.

The society, which formed a year ago, is hoping to unite the town’s vegans and entice non-vegans into the fold.

Huddersfield Vegans and The Vegan Approach are hosting a series of public events this month as part of World Vegan Month.

Huddersfield Free Vegan Food Fair takes place at Queensgate Market on November 16 (10am-3pm).

On November 17 (10am-2pm) there’ll be vegan food sampling upstairs at Holmfirth Market as part of Holmfirth Farmers Market.

Visitors can taste vegan recipes and vegan alternatives to meat and dairy products. There’ll also be vegan product giveaways.

While vegetarians don’t eat meat or fish, vegans also abstain from animal products such as eggs and milk and sometimes honey. Vegans often reject non-edible animal products such as leather and silk.

The word ‘vegan’ was chosen by founder Donald Watson and his ‘non-dairy vegetarians’ to describe their diet. Watson took the first three and last two letters of ‘vegetarian’ to create this new word.

Today the movement is widespread with comedian Russell Brand and Hollywood actor Brad Pitt among the hundreds of famous vegans.

But there are still misconceptions and stereotypes about veganism.

Huddersfield Vegan and Vegan Approach founder, Chrissy Leyland said: “Vegans are still seen as hippies or either weak and unhealthy or super healthy. People say we’re depriving ourselves.

“There is still some of that but now veganism is more mainstream and it’s better understood and accepted.”

Vegans believe that farming inherently causes suffering to animals and environmental damage.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s influential Livestock’s Long Shadow report found that global meat production was responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions – a fraction more than all the world’s cars, trains and planes combined.

Ms Leyland, of Holmfirth, said: “Veganism is one of the only totally sustainable diets.

“You have to cook a bit more but you don’t have to be a brilliant cook. There are a lot more vegan products now.”

Ms Leyland, who has been vegan for 26 years, added: “There is an alternative to almost every animal product. Vegan foods – including non-dairy milk, cream, yoghurt, custard, cheese, ice-cream and much more – can now be found easily in high street shops and supermarkets.

“There are also lots of amazing ways to prepare vegetables, nuts, pulses and seeds. These are healthy choices for everyone. You don’t need to be vegan to eat vegan food.”

For more about The Vegan Approach and Huddersfield Vegans visit: www.theveganapproach.com