Owners of a new Pleasant Ridge eatery, The Loving Cafe, hope to help the environment by serving up tasty plant-based meals as a way for people to ease their dietary impact on the planet.
Cafe team member Meghan Burke says agriculture — especially raising animals for food — has been identified as one of the leading causes of global warming due to the energy and water necessary to bring animals to maturity. For example, she says 1 lb. of beef requires 9,000 gallons of water to reach your table, but a single vegan meal requires just 98 gallons. She says eating vegan also lowers risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
The cafe offers a variety of vegan fare (completely free of all animal products) featuring veggie protein entrees, raw salads, organic smoothies, fair trade teas and fresh baked goods as well as familiar favorites such as fried rice and Sloppy Joes.
Besides the green menu, the Loving Cafe creates an environmentally friendly interior by using reclaimed and reused materials from local buildings. Although the cafe opened less than a month ago, Burke says business has been booming.
“We just wanted to have one place where people could go and enjoy great vegan food while at the same time helping the environment and helping themselves be healthier,” she says. “People have been blown away when they try our food.”
The Loving Cafe is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 6227 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-731- 2233.
