Since opening a decade ago, Crust Vegan Bakery has prided itself on serving not only vegan pastries, but for being outspoken on political issues, writes Holly Quinn for Technical.ly.
The Manayunk bakery’s founder Meagan Benz admits that being political has resulted in online bullying, lost customers, and friendships.
However, to her and her team of 17 employees, those consequences are worth it in the name of what’s right.
That mindset and approach is what has helped Crust Vegan Bakery also become a hub for activism, social justice, and community.
In 2013, when Benz — a North Carolina native — starting looking for a different East Coast city to live, she chose Philadelphia.
“I moved to Philadelphia because it was a city with a lot of vegan food, but not a lot of vegan sweets,” Benz said.
Benz had started baking as a hobby after becoming a vegetarian in high school and later a vegan in college.
For Benz, giving back and supporting marginalized communities is just as big a priority at Crust Vegan Bakery.
This fall, she plans to move the bakery to a larger location in East Falls, where she can expand both her menu and social justice work while hosting more community events.
Read more about the decade-long journey of Crust Vegan Bakery at Technical.ly.
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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on PHILADELPHIA Today in August 2025.
