It might seem unlikely but the proven concept is set to open up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after a successful Kickstarter campaign. The so-called Herbivorous Butcher sells a wide variety of plant-based meats and cheeses. But instead of bits of animal they’re made from ingredients like chick peas and tapioca powder. Credit: Facebook/The Herbivorous Butcher Flesh-free meat and vegan cheese is nothing new – but putting them in the context on a butcher shop certainly is. Fans of the idea donated generously and saw Kale (real name) and Aubry Walch raise $61,806 (£41,643) in 2014. They will open their shop on January 23 at 507 First Ave. The brother-and-sister duo gained a following at their artisan imitation meat stand on a farmers’ market. Established favourites like wheat gluten and tofu-based pepperoni, Italian sausage, smoky house ribs, pulled pork and maple-glazed bacon will be on sale in their new shop. ‘We’ve created complex and flavourful products that will satisfy any herbivore, omnivore, and even self‐proclaimed carnivores,’ the Kickstarter page states. ‘[Our] 100% vegan cruelty-free meat alternatives capture the best flavours, textures, and nutrients that meats have to offer without their negative impacts on health, animals, and the environment.’ Credit: Facebook/The Herbivorous Butcher And the Walches seem to be in good company as more and more people are shunning animal flesh. More than 60% of millennials consume meat alternatives, according to a study by 210 Analytics. Vegan food businesses are growing fast and include imitation meat from companies like Fry’s and Beyond Meat, as well as the famous Impossible Foods plant-based burger. Their patty, made from proteins and nutrients extracted from greens, seeds and grains, is supposedly indistinguishable in taste and texture from real beef. Could vegan imitation meat the future of food? By Deni Kirkova, from The Metro . Published 1st January 2016