In a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of vegan butter.
Add 1 cup finely chopped white onion, 1 cup diced celery, and 2 cups chopped carrots. Sauté for 10 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
Stir in 1 tablespoon of minced fresh garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the 1 ½ lbs of cut Yukon gold potatoes, 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, 2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk, and 1 fresh bay leaf. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
Once the potatoes are tender, season the soup with ½ teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf from the pot.
Serve the soup warm in bowls and garnish with chopped fresh chives and vegan bacon crumbles if desired. Enjoy!