{"id":71438,"date":"2025-01-09T13:02:29","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T11:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/espores.org\/?p=71438"},"modified":"2026-04-21T14:18:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T12:18:46","slug":"lucy-veg-the-revolution-in-vegan-shopping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/espores.org\/en\/green-projects\/lucy-veg-the-revolution-in-vegan-shopping\/","title":{"rendered":"Lucy Veg: The Revolution in Vegan Shopping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


Veganism, a positive change in society<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Veganism has gone from being a minority trend to becoming an increasingly adopted lifestyle worldwide. According to a study by The Vegan Society<\/em>,<\/a> the number of vegans quadrupled between 2014 and 2020, and a 2022 Statista survey estimated that more than 79 million people follow a vegan diet worldwide. As for our country, according to the study The Green Revolution<\/a> carried out by Lantern, the veggie community, which encompasses vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians, has grown to represent 11.4% of Spain\u2019s population in 2023, and it is estimated that 0.7% are vegans according to the same studies. Despite the slight fall in the number of vegans compared to previous years, there is a positive trend in the adoption of plant-based diets, driven by concern for health and environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Green Revolution<\/em> Report 2023, prepared by Lantern<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


But setting aside the data, we must remember that veganism, more than a diet, is a different way of understanding life and above all seeks to minimise animal suffering and mistreatment. However, once the decision is made, a journey begins that is not without difficulties, where finding products free from ingredients of animal origin can be quite a challenge and doing the shopping can become a very complicated task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From Idea to Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


The idea for Lucy Veg<\/a> arose from its founder\u2019s personal experience. Martins, a graduate in Business Administration and Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, adopted the vegan lifestyle together with his partner six years ago. This decision transformed not only his diet, but also his relationship with his surroundings. For him, veganism is an extension of his personal values, an ethical decision that impacts not only his health, but also his commitment to sustainability and respect for animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Martins has explained to us how labels are very often confusing and the terminology used is complex; the task of checking ingredients one by one can complicate and prolong the shopping process for all those who seek to avoid consuming products with ingredients of animal origin, and especially if you add any food allergy or intolerance. As he tells us, it is difficult to memorise all the E numbers (additives) and know their origin. Each ingredient or additive can have many synonyms that we do not know. For example, ingredients such as \u2018casein\u2019, a milk protein, or stearic acid, which can be derived from animals, often appear in commonly used products without a clear explanation. These ambiguous labels make it difficult for vegans to know if a product is truly suitable, a difficulty that <\/em>Lucy Veg<\/em><\/a> resolves by making this identification process simple and transparent<\/em>. It is true that it is easier to recognise products that have the official seals certifying that a product is suitable for vegans, such as V-label<\/em> or The Vegan Society<\/em>, but there are still many products on the market that for various reasons do not certify their products, although they are also suitable for vegans. Lucy Veg will help us identify these products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From this frustration, experienced in his day-to-day life, Lucy Veg was born, an application created to help people easily identify vegan products and other options compatible with their specific dietary needs quickly and simply. In this first version, which has been available since the 1st<\/sup> of November, World Vegan Day, users can scan barcodes of food products and obtain clear information about their composition: which ingredients and additives are suitable for vegans, official certifications and places where they can be purchased, both in physical shops and online. Furthermore, Lucy Veg has a collaborative function that allows users to add new products or correct existing information, making the database grow and benefit the entire community. The application also has an exploration section, where new suitable products can be discovered without the need to scan codes. Moreover, although it is designed by and for vegans, Lucy Veg is also useful for people with food intolerances such as egg, milk or seafood, and even for those who seek to avoid additives derived from insects, such as cochineal (E120).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Martins has also told us about his ideas for incorporating future functionalities such as more advanced filters that will include cosmetic products or information about allergies, although this will depend on user ratings and needs. For now, the first version of Lucy Veg has been designed based on what has been considered essential, although its creator is committed to continuing to listen and adapt the app to the real needs of the vegan community, and reminds us that each new comment and suggestion will help them improve the experience and add truly useful functionalities. He assures us that this is just the beginning and that he is excited to discover where the adventure they have started will take them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The story behind the name<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


The application\u2019s name is a nod to the Australopithecus afarensis<\/em> of 3.5 million years ago found in Ethiopia and named Lucy, because at the time of the discovery Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds<\/em> by The Beatles<\/em> was playing on the radio. Lucy, like the other members of her species, based her diet mainly on sugar-rich fruits, seeds, roots, tubers or bark. The famous \u2018missing link\u2019 transformed our knowledge of human evolution and Martins, inspired by her legacy, pays his small tribute to our \u2018vegan\u2019 ancestor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Support from local innovation<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


The project gained momentum when it was selected to participate in the acceleration programmes of the seventh edition of Col\u00b7lab, an initiative of the innovation centre Las Naves<\/em>, promoted by Valencia City Council, designed to promote projects with a triple positive impact: social, environmental and economic, and focused on providing solutions to the challenges of the urban innovation strategic framework Misiones Valencia 2030<\/em>. This motivating and entrepreneurial support environment allowed Martins to advance in the development of the application, create the first version for validations and strengthen his presence on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Participating in the Col\u00b7lab acceleration programme was a key experience for the development of Lucy Veg, but the path was not without challenges, Martins explains to us. Being a solo entrepreneur has its advantages, such as the flexibility to make quick changes, but it can also be very difficult, especially at the beginning, when you don\u2019t receive immediate external feedback and you don\u2019t clearly see the results of your work. To find the strength necessary to move forward, I relied on my family, friends and my close circle, always remembering the main reason why I started this project<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


A sustainable future in Valencia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


The startup could not be in a better place to grow. Valencia is positioning itself as a leading city in sustainability thanks to Misi\u00f3n Clim\u00e1tica Valencia 2030<\/em>; moreover, it has been selected within the European mission of smart and climate-neutral cities, in line with its priority projects such as European Green Capital 2024. Using Lucy Veg not only benefits vegan users, but also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint by encouraging the purchase of more sustainable products. By opting for vegan alternatives, consumers support practices that reduce animal exploitation and decrease the emissions associated with the production of animal-origin products. It is estimated that a single person who adopts a vegan diet for one year can save up to 1.5 million litres of water, which is equivalent to more than 6,000 eight-minute showers. They can also avoid using almost 6,000 square metres of land, an area the size of a football pitch. Furthermore, a vegan diet can reduce CO2<\/sub> emissions by more than 1.5 tonnes, the equivalent of driving more than 5,000 kilometres in a car. As if that were not enough, a single person can save the lives of more than 100 animals each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Small actions for big changes<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Before saying goodbye, we asked Martins if he believes that one day veganism could become a global norm, and his response is optimistic: Although it would be ideal for everyone to become vegan, even small changes matter. Every time you choose a vegan product, you are contributing to reducing the demand for animal-origin products, decreasing the pressure on our natural resources and the environment. In fact, the meat and dairy industry generates more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire global transport sector, according to FAO data. So, even if you cannot be 100% vegan, every plant-based choice counts and makes a big difference<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


This young entrepreneur emphasises that change should not be immediate or absolute, but progressive and conscious. It is about moving forward, step by step, towards a more sustainable model. Nobody is perfect, but if each person made a small effort to change one or two habits, the collective impact would be enormous<\/em>. And he invites us to reconsider how our daily decisions, however small they may seem, have the power to transform not only our health, but also that of the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Fancy giving it a try?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


If you are one of those people who has been thinking about going vegan for a while but does not know where to start, now you have the perfect opportunity to take the first step. As a New Year\u2019s resolution, Martins suggests participating in Veganuary,<\/a> a global initiative designed to explore veganism for a month. Registration is completely free, and those who sign up will receive useful materials such as recipes, practical resources and tips to make the transition easier and more motivating. And if you do it, there is nothing better than having Lucy Veg<\/a> as your ally on this journey, helping you discover vegan products, plan your meals and connect with a community that shares your concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Make January the beginning of a positive change for you and for the planet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n


If you want more information you can visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n