8 May 2022, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
The Big Vegan Market banner is displayed on the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens.
The market took place over the weekend of 7-8 May 2022. This year’s Big Vegan Market had 133 vendors that sold solely vegan products. Vendors sold vegan food, drinks, clothes, and many other vegan products. Pandy Bakeshop was a vendor at the market for the first time. Sophie O’Connor, the founder of Pandy, said that the demand for her desserts exceeded her expectations. The event was a roaring success and has shown that veganism in Melbourne is growing.
Many vegans, such as 3-year vegan Lewis O’Brien, cite climate concerns for their conversion to veganism.
8 May 2022, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
The Pandy Bakeshop stall, and its founder Sophie O’Connor, located in the food court at the Big Vegan Market.
Ms O’Connor said she “had no idea what to expect” from the event. Pandy remarkably sold out of over 500 units of products in the first 3 hours of opening on the first day of the market. Ms O’Connor decided “the only way (to remain open) was to get my Sunday stock." Then, “I sold all my Sunday stuff in half an hour on the Saturday afternoon," said Ms O’Connor. Ms O’Connor worked through the night until 6am to be open on Sunday at the market.
8 May 2022, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
The sweets customers could buy from the Pandy stall at the Big Vegan Market.
Sophie O’Connor founded Pandy Bakeshop in March 2021. Ms O’Connor established the business after noticing the popularity of vegan banana bread that she baked for a local café. Pandy Bakeshop, shortened to Pandy, sells 100% plant-based cakes and sweets to customers and wholesalers.
For a small business founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, Pandy has had remarkable success. Appearances in online food guide Broadsheet and support from popular vegan blog Where’s The Beef were early endorsements of Pandy. Positive word-of-mouth led to Pandy being an in-demand vendor at the Big Vegan Market in May.
20 May 2022, 450 Smith Street, Collingwood
Sophie O’Connor decorating a raspberry white chocolate cake for a customer order at her rented kitchen.
Pandy is solely operated by its founder, Sophie O’Connor. She bakes the food and handles all administrative duties associated with the small business. “Cooking the cakes is the easy part," said Ms O’Connor. “Dealing with every part of the business has been a struggle for sure." But Ms O’Connor has learnt so much from running Pandy.
Pandy operated a shop front at Baketico in Northcote from August 2021 to March 2022. The shopfront gave Pandy a unique chance to grow its customer base. The shopfront was a destination for many vegans in Melbourne.
20 May 2022, 450 Smith Street, Collingwood
Sophie O’Connor constructing a white chocolate raspberry cake at her rented kitchen.
Now, Pandy operates as an orders-based business. Sophie O’Connor bakes once a week at a rented kitchen to fulfil all of Pandy’s orders from customers and wholesalers. The number of orders is growing. “Its manageable but its on the brink of not being manageable for one person. “I’m there for 11 or 12 hours."
As Pandy continues to grow, Ms O’Connor said she had considered hiring somebody to help her in the kitchen. “If I had 10 cafes on board [as wholesalers] I would definitely struggle."
20 May 2022, 450 Smith Street, Collingwood
Two gluten-free raspberry white chocolate cakes and a sticky date butterscotch cake made by Sophie O’Connor.
Pandy stands out in the vegan baked goods market for its quality of product. Customers are ordering intricate wedding cakes and wholesalers continue to order more from Pandy. Pandy has had a constant online presence since its founding in March 2021. The business Instagram account boasts more than 4,470 followers. The success of Pandy has been a proud achievement for Sophie O’Connor. Pandy delivers high-quality sweets for vegans across Melbourne.
Melbourne veganism is strong because of businesses such as Pandy Bakeshop.
27 May 2022, 171 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East
Portrait of Lewis O’Brien.
Vegan people commonly cite the impact on the climate for the reason for going vegan. “Animal rights and the environmental impact pulled me in [to becoming vegan]," said Lewis O’Brien. Lewis O’Brien, a 23-year-old who lives in Carlton, has been vegan since the end of 2018. “I wasn’t going to do it until one of my friends told me I couldn’t," said Mr O’Brien. Conversations with friends and learning about the impact of meat and dairy agriculture to the climate were the reasons for Mr O'Brien's decision to become vegan.
27 May 2021, Coles Local, Camberwell
Shoppers browsing the produce section of Coles Local Camberwell.
Lewis O’Brien found the transition to veganism easy. When Mr O’Brien decided to go vegan, he went for a “full vegan shop." “People do not realise that vegans can still eat so much healthy food," said Mr O’Brien. He did not try vegetarian but converted immediately to veganism.
Being vegan in Melbourne has been straightforward with most restaurants having vegan options. “In Melbourne I forget it’s a thing that I do," said Mr O’Brien. Melbourne is a leader in vegan food worldwide, with Pandy Bakeshop an example of quality vegan baking.
27 May 2021, Coles Local, Camberwell
Lewis O’Brien with a personal favourite choice of vegan food at Coles.
Many people who are concerned by the climate crisis convert to veganism to show support for the environment. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) argues that the best thing one person can do for the environment is to stop eating meat, eggs, and dairy products. According to PETA, animal agriculture places a significant burden on the environment. This includes the crops and waters required to feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved to produce meat and dairy products.
These concerns are why people like Lewis O’Brien have committed to veganism.
8 May 2022, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
Customers move around the food court or sit to eat at the Big Vegan Market.
Veganism in Melbourne is growing. People, like Lewis O’Brien, are choosing to become vegan to protect animals and be more sustainable. Pandy Bakeshop is an example of a new innovative plant-based business that’s popularity has soared. Pandy produces high-quality food that has a minimal impact on animals and the environment.
The support for veganism in Melbourne was highlighted by the success of the Big Vegan Market at the Royal Exhibition Building. The many vendors at the event, including Pandy, highlight people are finding inventive ways to protect the environment. It appears veganism will continue to grow in Melbourne.
