With more families choosing a plant-based diet and embracing a vegan lifestyle, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is hoping a popular Connecticut children’s toy manufacturer can make a vegan playset for kids.
Marta Holmberg, PETA’s senior director for youth programs, recently sent a letter to Wilton-based toy manufacturer, Melissa & Doug, asking them to make a vegan playset.
PETA created a mock-up of what they’d like to see the playset contain, complete with a package of tofu, dairy-free milk and butter and a veggie burger. Melissa & Doug toys are well known for their pretend food playsets.
According to Holmberg, 60 percent of households nationwide with kids have chosen a vegan lifestyle, free of animal and dairy products for consumption. She said it makes sense to have toys for kids to play with that are representative of that lifestyle.
“Children have a natural affinity for animals, and vegan foods empower them to help protect sensitive cows, chickens and pigs,” Holmberg said. “PETA stands ready to help Melissa & Doug create a new toy food set that’s inclusive of all kids and fosters kindness to animals.”
Holmberg, a mom of a preschooler who she said “adores” Melissa & Doug toys, wrote the letter to company co-founders, and parents to six kids, Melissa and Doug Bernstein.
“It would mean a lot for vegan kids to have a toy food set that doesn’t have a steak in it or a cow on the milk carton,” Holmberg said in the letter. “Many families don’t consume animal-derived foods for religious, health or environmental reasons and would certainly appreciate toys that reflect their lifestyle. Since plant-based foods are becoming increasingly popular, the number of vegan children will only continue to rise.”
Holmberg suggested the vegan playsets could also include other animal and dairy-free items like vegan nuggets, egg-free desserts and fruits and veggies.
Holmberg said if a vegan playset were created, PETA would donate vegan foods to children in need through Food for Life Global Our History – Food for Life Global (ffl.org) for every vegan toy food set sold.
“We’d promote the toy set heavily and do all we could to help ensure its success,” Holmberg said in her letter.
Holmberg sent the letter to the Bernsteins Aug. 31. The Bernsteins were not immediately available for comment.
