Vegetarians - How Many?

In a survey conducted by the Vegetarian Resource Group in 2009, 3% of U.S. adults indicated they never eat meat, poultry, and fish/seafood. They were classified as vegetarian. About 1/3 to 1/4 of the vegetarians (one percent of the U.S. adult population) also never eat dairy, eggs, and honey, and were classified as vegan. Eight percent of respondents said they never eat meat.

When marketing vegetarian and vegan foods, you also need to look at the much larger number of people interested in these items, as well as those actually vegetarian. With 5% of females 18-34 being vegetarian, and 12% of females ages 18–34 not eating meat, this makes a strong statement for companies and restaurants to develop more meatless products and dishes for these consumers.

Based on this data, about 3% of the U.S. adult population is vegetarian. We can therefore estimate there are approximately 6-8 million adult vegetarians in the United States.

What is surprising to me is that 7% of 8- to 18-year-olds never eat meat, while 12% of males ages 10 to 12 stated they don't eat meat.

In the poll, 3% of U.S youth indicated they never eat meat, poultry, and fish/seafood. They were classified as vegetarian. About 1/3 of the vegetarians (1% of the U.S. youth population) also never eat dairy, eggs, and honey, and were classified as vegan.

When marketing to vegetarians, these numbers make a good case for producing vegan products, as well as creating items which will appeal to youth who are not vegetarian, but don't eat meat.

Vegetarian numbers are growing as people become more aware of not just the health benefits, but the benefits to the environment as well. This is a market that will continue to grow and thrive and make a hugh mark on our economy in more than just monetary.

"Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to
embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. Nothing will
benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as
the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
(Albert Einstein)

http://www.vrg.org/