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Get ready Victoria, veganism has landed.
Vegtoria Veg Fest is just around the corner, but has been a long time coming for the organizers from the Vancouver Island Vegan Association (VIVA) Corie Kielbiski and Jordan Reichert. Built around being an inclusive and compassionate community, you might not be so surprise anymore to find a local friend or family member who is vegan and excited for Vegtoria coming July 22nd.
While it was once considered radical to be vegan, with Victoria mainstays such as Green Cuisine and successful new start-ups like The Very Good Butchers and Vegan Hippie Chick, veganism has slowly won its way to mainstream appeal.
For the uninitiated, veganism is a lifestyle where adherents refrain from consuming animal products as much as possible. That includes all meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and even honey. While some people go vegan for the health or environmental benefits, doing so for the animals is still the most common reason for people to switch to a plant-based lifestyle.
According to the organizers, the most common question vegans get still is “Where do you get your protein?” “It’s funny, because there is ample protein in vegetables, nuts, legumes, and grains, but we are taught to believe that we need to get it from animal products, which is simply not true.”
To show just how much veganism has to offer, Vegtoria will have a full line-up of vendors with a broad list of vegan foods, clothing, businesses, and non-profits. There will also be live music all day and speakers, including the headline speaker, James Aspey, from Australia who took a vow of silence for one year to raise awareness for animals and promote peace over violence.
At the end of the day though Corie and Jordan both say that while it is great to promote vegan businesses and celebrate, it is all about the animals.
“Vegtoria is about creating a positive space for people to engage with veganism and learn more about all the amazing options available to them that don’t harm animals.”
Vegtoria is taking place in Centennial Square, July 22nd from 12-5pm and is free to attend. Find out more at www.vegtoria.ca
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