Global vegan restaurant recommendation and review website HappyCow has come up with a smart new way for vegans and veg-types to connect with each other during the era of social distancing and activism.
The Santa Monica-headquartered company has created a new free option for registered members to “bring together like-minded members locally and worldwide, of all peoples, genders, and orientations”.
“I realized how isolated many of my vegan and vegetarian friends had become during quarantine, and equally how strongly our member community of 450,000+ has wanted to connect with one other for friendship and support. Even prior to Covid-19 I had been contemplating how we could create a place for vegan-types to easily find those who have similar interests,” said Eric Brent, CEO and founder of HappyCow.
Previously, HappyCow members could create and share their own member profile, but directly finding others as is on other social networking platforms wasn’t emphasized.
The new social search function allows members to search for other members by veg-status, gender, location, and other filters, and there will be new interest groups allowing those with similar interests to chat in groups and provide support and advice. Some of the popular interests include Activists, Athletes, Foodies, LGBTQ+, and Travellers.
“HappyCow is a safe and friendly way for vegans, vegetarians, and those curious about the lifestyle to find each other,” Brent stated. “For those who don’t want to participate in the social aspects of the site, there is an opt-out feature.”
Happy Cow says the feature is designed to build a sense of community and make it easier to access support.