After sharing some delicious conversation lately, and musing over the paths we've traversed to wind up in the world of doughnut making we'd like to share our thoughts on "Food Activism," our culinary experiments, "why doughnuts?" and what motivates us to open a shop.

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At the first annual Vegetarian Food Festival a few weeks ago, while we were busy setting up a doughnut eating contest, Jasmin Singer of Our Hen House was leading a discussion called "Let the Doughnut Do the Talking."  In it she described the potential for food to be a political statement and a tool for change, and investigated the myriad ways that individuals can incorporate advocacy into their every day lives.  

Though we weren't able to attend this presentation, it resonated with us, and by "resonated" we mean that the ethereal wavelengths coming from this beautiful notion were in perfect harmony with the core of our values.  Let us explain some of our ideas on food activism:

When it comes to animal rights, there are really only a few walls that separate individuals from embracing compassionate choices.  If you ask any random person if they think animals should be abused, or even killed if they needn't be, the odds are this person will say "no!"  It's not the concept of animal rights that people reject, it's the implications of accepting it.  It boils down to two things: Food and Community.  Food of course is important because it is essential (Food, Water, Shelter).  But beyond food as necessity we see food as comfort.  It is something familiar, something we often crave, and enjoy.  If you're already vegan imagine what your initial reaction would be if someone were to present you with a comparable ethical reason to abstain from eating kale, chocolate, quinoa, carrots, tofu, bbq sauce (come on, you get the idea!).  The point is, imagine if suddenly you realized that the things you liked, or even things you believed you needed to live healthy came at the cost of allowing something terrible to happen.  It might not always be rational, but opposition to change is natural.  This is why veganized food options like veggie burgers and chickenless nuggets are so important.  They make the transition to veganism a step, instead of a leap.

Restaurants having vegan options, or a vegan option, gives individuals a remarkable advantage over their resistance to change, but there is another important element to overcome which is community. Food is a gathering place for community. Most of us, when we think of great memories at home, or moreover, at our grandparents house, have memories that revolve around food. Holidays, which are steeped in tradition and community lend themselves to centering around the table.  For birthdays it cake, Thanksgiving; turkey, St Patrick's Day; green beverages with corned-beef and cabbage, and the list can go on and on. To be the only one in a group to make the switch to a vegan diet can make anyone feel isolation.  Who wants to be ostracized?  Who wants to miss out in sharing in that community? Nobody!  If you can create places, fun, safe, open minded, and welcoming places for people to come and experience delicious vegan food, and by turn introducing them to the world of animal rights you can in effect overcome the obstacles of food and community at the same time.

Over the years we have experimented with many different food items, hosting vegan pizza party competitions, baking marathons, countless approaches to a veganized mac and cheese.  The idea for a vegan doughnut came from Christopher, after watching the 25th anniversary Simpson's episode, and in turn getting a SERIOUS craving for vegan doughnuts.  After he couldn't find one that matched his craving he called Dan and over the phone they agreed to start a doughnut business.  But the reason the doughnut idea really stuck was because of what doughnuts represented to us.  First, you can find them almost anywhere on earth.  Second, they are steeped in tradition. And third, they are accessible, humble, and affordable.  Doughnuts can easily be a part of anyone's life on a regular basis, without "overdoing it."  Especially our doughnuts, which are lower in sugar and fat, and are completely cholesterol free.    We believe that a vegan doughnut could be a tremendous ambassador for vegan food.  Also because we stepped into this believing that we wouldn't simply be making a good doughnut "considering it's vegan," but an AMAZING doughnut, heck, perhaps even the best doughnut you could find, vegan or non-vegan alike.  Opening a shop would allow us to share this treat with people AND create a place for that much needed community.  We love the way the animal rights community networks, and the more collaboration the better.  We've met lots of vegan food entrepreneurs since we started and love to see that before a spatula got to scraping a bowl there was that driving force of "food activism" in their hearts.

Just yesterday we got to share some of our doughnuts with Our Hen House.  They'd mentioned us in their weekly podcast twice and still hadn't tried one yet!! We're still geeking out about their review!  Friend Our Hen House on facebook and friend Dun-Well Doughnuts too!

Here's the comment they left about us