by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

On May 19, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced “a $7.5 million investment” that would redirect “surplus protein to families in need.” The same press release announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)  “will provide up to $7.5 million to help eligible nonprofit organizations safely distribute nutrient-dense proteins such as meat, eggs, seafood, and dairy to Americans in need.”

In addition to wondering what is meant by “surplus protein,” and “families in need” [do you have to be a family to need food?] I had other questions about this program.

1. Why the emphasis on protein? What is the evidence that Americans don’t get enough protein? The comprehensive Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (1) states that “across the lifespan … intakes of … total Protein Foods and Meat, Poultry, and Eggs are generally at or above current recommendations.”
2. Why the focus on animal-based protein, something that Americans are not lacking in? While most people get enough protein, their intakes of Vegetables (a group that includes dried beans), Nuts, Seeds, and Soy Products are generally lower than recommended (1).
3. What are the health implications of increasing intake of meat, eggs, and dairy product? These are foods that are high in saturated fat which has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes (2). Health care costs in the United States are already astronomical. Why are foods being promoted that increase the risk of chronic disease?
4. What are the environmental costs of promoting a greater intake of animal products?
5. If protein is a concern, why not support increased provision of dried and canned beans, products that have been associated with health benefits (3)?
6. What about perishability? Food banks may have limited refrigerator and freezer space to keep perishable foods refrigerated or frozen leading to food safety concerns. Lower-income consumers may be unhoused or, for other reasons, have limited ability to safely store and cook fresh meat, seafood, dairy products, and eggs.

And then there’s the recent news that the 2027 Agriculture Appropriations Bill (HR 8646) provides reduced funding for WIC, including less funding for WIC’s fruit and vegetable benefit. Why are funds being cut for a food group that Americans truly don’t eat enough of?

References:

1. 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/2025-advisory-committee-report. 2025.
2. Mangels R. The Latest on Saturated Fat. Vegetarian Journal. 2022; issue 2. https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue2/2022_issue2_nutrition_hotline.php
3. Mangels R. What are Beans, Legumes, and Pulses? Vegetarian Journal. 2022; issue 4. https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue4/2022_issue4_nutrition_hotline.php.

Hannah Kaminsky reviews Veggie Underground’s Cheese Slices in Vegan Journal. She states that they have crafted vegan cheese slices that melt properly. Read her review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue2/2026_issue2_veggie_bits.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal is the USA only, visit www.vrg.org/member

Lois Ellen Frank, PhD, has written Seed to Plate – Soil to Sky, a book that is rooted in promoting health and wellness in Native American communities. Included are vegan recipes featuring corn, beans, squash, chiles, tomatoes, potatoes, cacao, and vanilla. Read in Vegan Journal a review of this book here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue2/2026_issue2_book_reviews.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal is the USA only, visit www.vrg.org/member

istockphoto

By Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD

Fresh cherry season can be fleeting. You may not think beyond eating as many fresh cherries as you can get your hands on. But, just in case, we are including some ideas of enjoying both sweet and tart cherries throughout this summer season.

If you plan on cooking with fresh cherries, you may want to invest in a cherry pitter. Basic cherry pitters may be found online, selling for about $10. If you have real patience, and if the cherries are fairly ripe, you may be able to pit cherries with a metal straw, a chopstick, or even a small cake decorating tip.

Preparing Cherry Dishes and Beverages

For sweet or tart cherries, consider a cherry salsa. Combine pitted cherries with diced, seeded chilies (heat of your choice), chopped sweet onion, fresh cilantro (leaves only), and a splash of lime juice. Cherry salsa combined with hummus makes a colorful, flavorful dip or sandwich ingredient.

You can also top a toasted baguette or flat bread with a thin layer of vegan cream cheese, diced fresh cherries, and shredded fresh mint. Pitted, diced fresh cherries can be tossed into pancake, muffin, or cornbread batter. If you have a bit of time, and patience, pit and dry cherries, place them on a skewer, dip in melted chocolate and freeze. Quickly cook or microwave (to soften) pitted, halved cherries, combined with a splash of maple syrup and water. Combine with silken tofu or vegan yogurt and create a parfait with the cherry mixture, granola, and dried fruit.

For a decadent beverage, blend fresh, pitted cherries with lime juice and ice; if you would like, add a splash of rum for an adult slushy. If you have some kombucha available, add in blenderized fresh, pitted cherries and fresh basil to create a naturally bubbly and flavorful beverage.

Cherries Jubilee

Cherries were popularized on the menu, in the form of Cherries Jubilee, by the classic French chef August Escoffier. Escoffier created this soon-to-be classic in 1897 for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Although served with ice cream nowadays, the original recipe called for only poached cherries. Of course, the small bowls of cherries were set aflame, at the table, for a dramatic presentation. You can create your own version of Cherries Jubilee, flame optional, with pitted fresh cherries or whole, frozen cherries. Escoffier used tart cherries, because, either that was the cherry crop available at the time or he wanted to really ramp up the syrup component. Sweet cherries work just fine for our seasonal treat. As a side note, if a batch of cut-up or cooked cherries are too sweet, a splash of vinegar helps to balance the flavor.

Fresh cherries have their flavor and juiciness locked inside, so, when using fresh cherries for any type of dessert, you’ll want to steam them, covered, to release the flavor and retain the juice. To prepare Cherries Jubilee for about six people, combine ½ cup dry vegan sweetener with ¼ cup orange, ¼ cup water, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract in a medium pot and heat, stirring, until sweetener is dissolved. Add 4 cups of fresh, pitted cherries with ½ teaspoon of orange or lime zest, cover, and cook until cherries are softened (what is termed “fork tender”), about 5 minutes, depending on the ripeness of your cherries. Uncover pot and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until cherries are very soft, and the sauce has begun to thicken. Traditionally, about 3 Tablespoons of cherry liqueur, brandy, or kirsch is added at this time to help thicken the sauce, but maple syrup can be used as well. Continue to cook until the sauce is the thickness you like. And there you have your Cherries Jubilee! If you are going to serve over sorbet or other frozen vegan desserts, allow to cool, so the ice cream doesn’t melt. If you would like to flame your cherries… there are helpful tutorials online.

Special thanks to Arnie Alper, MD for staffing VRG’s booth at the Santa Cruz VegFest in California. The event was a huge success!

White Castle said, “White Castle … today announced the permanent addition of a veggie slider to its menu system wide, giving Cravers a craveable, flavor-packed nonmeat option in addition to its popular beef, chicken, and fish Sliders. The new menu item, the Southwest Veggie Slider, features a crispy brown rice crust and a savory blend of six vegetables — sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, red bell peppers, onions, and carrots — seasoned with smoky chipotle and sweet BBQ flavors and served on a classic Slider bun with a slice of jalapeño cheese. (Customers can substitute American or cheddar cheese.)”

More ingredient and allergen information is not yet available on their website. They say: all food is prepared in common kitchens that may involve some shared cooking and preparation areas, equipment and utensils, and the possibility exists for your food items to come in contact with other food products, including allergens.

White Castle Vegan Sliders available in H.E.B. Supermarket is labeled as Dr. Praeger’s brand, containing: Carrots, Onions, String Beans, Oat Bran, Soybeans, Zucchini, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Peas, Broccoli, Corn, Soy Flour, Spinach, Red Peppers, Arrowroot Powder, Corn Starch, Garlic, Corn Meal, Sea Salt, Parsley, Black Pepper, Bun: Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less of Each of the Following: Yeast, Salt, Vital Wheat Gluten, Mono- and Diglycerides, Corn Starch, Calcium Stearoyl Lactylate (CSL), Oat Fiber, Corn Syrup Solids, Guar Gum, Sodium Alginate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Enzymes, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C).

The contents of this posting, our website and our other publications, including Vegan Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

photo from Good To-Go

Enjoy camping and hiking with some of the vegan backpacking and camping meals listed in Vegan Journal. Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue2/2026_issue2_backpacking_camping.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal is the USA only, visit www.vrg.org/member

by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Despite living in a two-person household for years, I’m always looking for meal ideas that won’t leave us eating the same recipe for multiple days. Some cookbooks for one or two simply cut recipes that serve four or more people in half, leaving one with odd leftovers – a half can of beans, a couple of tablespoons of tomato sauce. A recent offering from America’s Test Kitchen avoids both of these problems. Vegan Cooking for Two uses standard-size cans for the most part and features recipes that serve 2 people. In my experience, the 2 people have fairly hearty appetites. I found that some recipes resulted in enough leftovers to have another meal. This will vary depending on your appetite and the side dishes you use.

In addition to providing suggestions for shopping for two (e.g., bulk bins, salad bar for small amounts of produce), Vegan Cooking for Two includes a very helpful list of ways to use up key ingredients. That way, if you’ve used part of a head of cabbage for Charred Cabbage Salad with Torn Tofu and Plantain Chips, you can use the rest of that cabbage later in the week to make Curry Roasted Cabbage Wedges. Recipes also include suggestions for substituting for ingredients you don’t have on hand. So, for example, if you want to make Grilled Vegetable and Orzo Salad and don’t have the onions, peppers, and summer squash the recipe calls for, you can substitute other vegetables including mushrooms, broccoli, and/or asparagus. You can replace the capers the recipe calls for with olives.

Many recipes include a way to “level up” by adding unexpected ingredients or to “bulk it up” to make a light meal more filling. If you’re having people over, most recipes can be easily doubled to serve more than two eaters.

Lots of recipes feature beans, tofu, or tempeh. Others use plant-based ground meat, plant-based cheese, or liquid plant-based eggs. Usually suggestions are not given for alternatives to these products although experienced vegan cooks should be able to figure out subs if they’d prefer to use other ingredients.

Chapters in Vegan Cooking for Two include Breakfast, Soups/Stews/Chilis, Sandwiches, Salads, Pasta, Grain/Bean/Vegetable Entrées, and Desserts.

So far, I’ve tried Rigatoni with Quick Mushroom Ragu, Shawarma-Spiced Tofu Wraps, and Roasted Red Potatoes. All had clear instructions and were easy to make. The Quick Mushroom Ragu was my favorite because of its blend of flavors; it was a nice change from my usual marinara sauce. I look forward to trying many more recipes including Okra Pepper Pot (a Caribbean stew), Artichoke and Spinach Calzones, Mushroom/Brussels Sprout/White Bean Gratin, and Crispy Baked Tofu Peperonata.

Vegan Cooking for Two (ISBN 978-1-954210-18-9) is a 374-page softcover book that includes more than 200 vegan recipes. It is published by America’s Test Kitchen and retails for $34.99. This book was published in 2022 and you can purchase it online.

photo from REDWHITE Boneless Ramen

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: www.vrg.org/restaurant

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Bori Vegan, 43 Av. Esmeralda, Guaynabo, PR 00969

Bori Vegan is a Puerto Rican/Creole hybrid café that specializes in vegan breakfast and lunches. Look for its iconic white painted front accompanied by a large avocado at the helm. They offer both outdoor and indoor seating options to allow guests to enjoy the morning air while enjoying their meals. Bori Vegan’s menu features smoothies, poke bowls, burritos, salads, tacos, and wraps as well as breakfast items like waffles and lattes.

Fungi Foods, 434 25th St., Oakland, CA 94612

Fungi Foods offers comfort foods made with locally grown mushrooms. All sandwiches are served on a brioche bun including the Buffalo Blue made with fried maitake mushrooms topped with vegan blue cheese, slaw, and dill pickles; and the Gochujang made with fried maitake mushrooms, chili crisp pickles, slaw, and gochujang. Sandwiches can be upgraded to include loaded fries such as buffalo blue and spicy BBQ. Specials on the menu include lasagna with béchamel sauce and Caesar salad with oyster mushroom anchovies.

The Green Ape, 1310 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

The Green Ape aims to take a “creative” approach to “…comfort food with bold flavor…”  and to share “…good energy in every bite.” Some Sandwiches are The “Mane” Attraction – grilled Lion’s Mane “Steakhouse,” with, garlic aioli, chimichurri, arugula, and melted provolone on warm ciabatta or Fish Sandwich with crisped heart of palm, cabbage slaw, lettuce, tartar, and plant-based cheese on a toasted bun—both with Truffle Fries. They also offer Wild Birria Tacos with seasoned Oyster mushrooms in a Birria-style consommé with pico de gallo, lime, and vegan cheese. Ape’d Up Alfredo with Garlic Ciabatta Bread presents Rigatoni in creamy parmesan sauce with broccoli, peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Rasta Pasta is a Jerk version of this. Jungle Hibachi with veggie Eggrolls and Orange Chickn’ combines green onion, sesame seeds, broccoli, peppers, onion, noodles, and Thai chili dipping sauce. Their Jr. Menu offers Mini Palm Stix featuring hearts of palm fish sticks similar to the Fish Sandwich or Jr. Ape Wingz showcasing Lion’s Mane mushroom wings, Ranch sauce, and fries. They have lots of colorful, fruity Smoothies and Drinks like their “made in house” Dragon Fuel–Dragon fruit lemonade, sour sop leaves and more. Subject to availability, Dessert might be Vanilla-Lemon or Strawberry Donuts, Jumbo Cinnamon Roll, Vanilla Bean or Strawberry Cupcake, or a Chocolate Chip or Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie.

Herbistro, 4590 Beech St., Norwood, OH 45212

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day, at Herbistro, Breakfast might be “house-made” Pancakes with pure maple syrup and a buttery spread, Stuffed French Toast, or Sunrise Bistro Plate layered Built with a base of herb-roasted potatoes, “house” protein scramble, grilled bell peppers, onions, “creamy, house” cheese sauce, and house-made herb sausage crumble. Beverages rotate fresh pressed daily, Botanical Blends like their “popular” Lavender Limeade, Pomegranate HIbiscus or Tropical Berry. Comfort Bistro Plate layers mac and cheese, mixed greens, “maple-kissed” sweet potatoes, and their “award winning” smoked jackfruit brisket. Seared Oyster Mushroom Chopped Cheese sandwich serves up grilled onion, banana pepper and “house made” cheese on grilled ciabatta. Who needs a BLT when Herbistro has BLTA with toast, house-smashed avocado spread, herb-roasted tomatoes, chickpea-based bacun crumble, and microgreens. Caribbean Jerk “Chickn” Flatbread combines either marinated, seared oyster mushroom or seitan in “house-made” jerk sauce, with sautéed bell peppers and onions, melted mozzarella-style shreds, and their “signature” Caribbean sauce. “Smoky, sweet, tangy,” seared, BBQ Jackfruit Flatbread showcases their “award-winning house-made“ Luci’s BBQ sauce, grilled peppers, onions, melted shredded cheese, and “house-made” ranch for dipping. Philly features “house-made” patties, grilled onions, bell peppers and “melty mozzarella-style” shreds, on steamed potato buns and garlic aioli. They offer various Sides and Salads like Strawberry Salad sporting spinach, “house made” strawberry vinaigrette, walnuts, and whipped “fetah.” “Made from scratch daily,” Dessert might be a Featured Cupcake or another Featured Specialty Dessert.

RedWhite Boneless Ramen, 294 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115; 11044 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604; and 630 W. 6th St. #110A, Los Angeles, CA 90017

In their words, RedWhite Boneless Ramen is “…proud to serve healthy meals without compromise.” All their Ramen contains Soboro, which is vegan meat and tofu, as well as corn, fried onion, fried garlic, arugula, sesame, and garlic oil. Ramen choices include No. 3 Garlic Miso or No. 8 Red Hot Miso, No. 7 Japanese Curry, or No. 5 Yuzu Sesame. Sushi Rolls include Roasted Miso Avocado (regular or Spicy) with sesame seeds, onion chips and Japanese Miso and Sweet Chilli Taco Sushi Roll with avocado, sesame seeds, tomato, soy meat, tortilla chips, and “spicy” mayo. If you like Mac & Cheese, they have regular, Truffle, or Spicy versions. There are gluten-free options and they may also have rotating Side Dishes.

Vegan House of Pancakes (VHOP), 1367 Cleveland Ave., East Point, GA 30344

This hot-pink home-turned-brunch counter is known for its fluffy, thick, and flavorful all-vegan pancakes, as well as its savory breakfast sides. Guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast platter featuring a variety of pancakes, cheezy potato casserole, and tofu scramble, or opt for a stack of their famous pancakes. Additional offerings include customer-favorite jalapeño grits, Beyond breakfast sausage, vegan toppings such as butter, syrup, and fruit compotes, gluten-free pancake stacks, and even VHOP’s pancake mix to take home. Located in a residential neighborhood, VHOP offers parking on both sides of the restaurant and a small outdoor seating area.

Beyond Meat has gone back to the basics by producing a line of sausages celebrating beans and grains. Read the review of these Sun Sausages here; https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue2/2026_issue2_veggie_bits.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal is the USA only, visit www.vrg.org/member