Danish center for a plant based and organic future
- Type
- Network / Association / Cooperative
- Location
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Industries
- Alternative proteins, Consumer health & consumer effects, Food safety & quality, Food ingredients & products, Food discovery / recipe apps & experiences, Crop / plant science
- Domains
- Processed food products, Meat alternatives, Plant based primary products, Proteins, Ingredients
About Danish center for a plant based and organic future
Dansk Vegetarisk Forening (DVF) is a Danish non-profit association founded in 1896 for vegetarians, vegans, and anyone who supports a plant-based way of living. It works across Denmark through local activities, volunteer engagement, and a small secretariat, with a public-facing role that combines advocacy, education, and practical support.
DVF positions itself as a driver of change in the food system. Its work spans policy, business outreach, foodservice, education, media, health, and research, all aimed at making plant-based food more normal, attractive, and accessible in Denmark and beyond.
Core Values
- Sustainability: DVF emphasizes that food choices should support climate, biodiversity, and a more resource-efficient food system, and it frames plant-based eating as part of a broader sustainability transition.
- Ethics: The association advocates for reduced animal exploitation and promotes plant-based living as a way to align food choices with animal welfare concerns.
- Health: DVF promotes plant-based diets as compatible with good nutrition and shares evidence-based guidance on how to eat well without relying on animal products.
- Constructive communication: The organization says it prefers inspiration, information, and practical solutions over confrontation, and it aims to make plant-based choices easier rather than merely criticize existing habits.
Unique Aspects
- Long history and national reach: Founded in 1896, DVF is one of Denmark’s oldest vegetarian organizations and describes itself as a nationwide association with local activities across the country.
- Documented policy influence: DVF says its work helped inspire Denmark’s National Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods and the Plant-Based Food Fund, including the allocation of 675 million DKK over eight years, later increased through other agreements.
- Legal and public-interest impact: The organization highlights its role in Denmark’s first climate lawsuit against Danish Crown over misleading pork marketing, as well as court action on the right to plant-based food in public-sector kitchens.
- Recognized effectiveness: DVF states that Animal Charity Evaluators recommended it as a charity in 2022 and again in 2024, reflecting external recognition of its impact.
- Label infrastructure for the market: DVF operates the Det Grønne Hjerte label and also works with V-Label, giving it a practical role in helping consumers identify vegetarian and vegan products.
- International collaboration: DVF participates in European and global plant-based policy and research initiatives, including EVU, IVU, and EU projects such as Divinfood and CLEVERFOOD.