Although far more limited in terms of the products offered and the stores that stock them, it appears that if you want to be a vegetarian, Grahamstown is the place to do it.
Although far more limited in terms of the products offered and the stores that stock them, it appears that if you want to be a vegetarian, Grahamstown is the place to do it.
Kyla Hazel, who has recently made the change to vegetarian eating, said at first she was afraid a vegetarian diet would be more costly.
This proved to be a misconception, however.
“Things like beans and veggies really aren’t expensive,” she said. “What’s great is that in Grahamstown we have stores like Lungi’s [Farm Stall] where you can get fresh, inexpensive produce and know you’re also supporting a small-scale local business."
"I think this can play a big role in undermining the current hegemony of major enterprises in the food industry and holding those big businesses to account.”
What is lacking, however, is a range of specialised products in retail stores. This means certain supplements can be pricier.
Establishments such as the Mustard Seed provide for the needs of many vegetarians, noted student Jordan du Toit, who is also wheat-intolerant.
“At home I can find any legumes or vegetables I want, but here it’s a different story. What I can use in recipes is limited, so I have to eat a narrower range of food.”
Du Toit lives in Johannesburg and admits it is more expensive to follow a vegetarian diet there.
As for eating out in Grahamstown, local vegetarians expressed their frustration at the limited vegetarian options available, noting that where vegetarian options are listed, these are seldom clearly indicated on menus.
Several restaurants are very accommodating to vegetarian or vegan substitutes, however. “When I ordered a vegetarian wrap at Delizzia – they were willing to prepare my spinach without cream,” said Kharys Laue, who is president of the student society Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights (Roar) and follows a vegan diet.
“I would love to see more options for vegan meals,” said Jenny Copley-Forster, Director of the Farm Animal Centre for Education (Face).
Because vegetarians eliminate a significant source of protein from their diet, nutritionists emphasise the need to replace it with nuts and legumes, such as chickpeas, lentils and beans.
