all words and photos: Jonna Humphries
The DC VegFest this past Saturday was a perfect blend of informative and delicious, ranging from animal cruelty advocates exposing the terrors of rabbit abuse to dessert chefs dishing out [insertyourfavoritedessert] more than good enough to bring bliss to [inserteveryoneyouknow]. Thousands were in attendance, including vegetarian/vegan celebs such as Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Wayne Pacelle. For the recently reported 8.3% of DC residents who claim to eat meat-free, this festival was a dream. For others, it was packed with reason to drop the meat. We stopped by, took some photos of the festivities AND
ASKED PEOPLE NOSHING AROUND WHY ARE THEY VEGAN?
enjoy
Danielle Konya, Owner, Vegan Treats Why are you vegan? “To preserve the integrity of all living things.”
Doron Petersan, Owner, Sticky Fingers Bakery, Why are you vegan? “Because it’s better for the animals, better for the planet, and better for me.”
Brennan Gerald, Vegan Chef, Dffrnt World Deli, Why are you vegan? “It’s the only way to truly achieve optimal health.”
Lana Lehr, Founder and Managing Director, RabbitWise Inc. and Paulette Lincoln-Baker, Volunteer Director, RabbitWise Inc. Why are you vegan? Lana: “Because I can’t tolerate what we do to animals.” Paulette: “The rabbit opened my eyes.”
Theresa Sarzynski, Vice President, Board of Directors, For The Animals Sanctuary Why are you vegan? “I don’t want anyone to suffer for me…my taste buds do not justify cruelty.”
Richard Johnson, Compassion Over Killing, Why are you Vegan? “Three reasons: I don’t want to continue the factory farm system, health reasons, and environmental reasons.”
Arash Arabasadi and Nima Khalilian, owners, Burrito Bandits Why are you vegan? Arash: “I love animals.” Nima: “For health reasons.”
Alexandra, Back to the Roots, “I prefer to have control over the food I’m eating.”
Plokio Fojol, Translator and Nukaloo Fojol, Poet/Scribe/Actor/Model, Fojol Bros. of Merlindia Plokio: “I love vegetables!” Nukaloo: “I am veg for yoga girls on P Street.”
Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Vegan Chef and Best-Selling Author, Why are you vegan? “For the animals.”
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Sweet pictures! Tofurkey was so-so i thought, but the other food was fantastic. Jonna thanks for the heads about Isa’s demonstration in the interview — tried the pumpkin pie, yummmm
I appreciate Nukaloo admitting that he’s veg for yoga girls on P street haha.
Wish i had saved some room for those cakes! look awesome
seems like a lot of free fun. i have a bunch of vegan friends and didn’t realize they could throw down like this… question: do they really spend as much time eating as your photos suggest?
from all these AMAZING looking food pictures it seems i really missed out this year!
actually these pictures have a dull look to them. not sparkly like your other photos. i also do not understand why vegan/vege food has to resemble meat based products. personally i would never eat a vege hotdog or tofurky.
@sweet name – actually, the original “hot dog” from coney island back in the 1870′s had no meat products in it whatsoever. it was only after continued intrigue as to the contents of the product, paired with the popularization of public animal cruelty at the fair, that they started to make them with meat (doubling their profits as both a food vendor and public entertainment)
yummy yummy, and eh, to each their own. i eat meat, but veggie burgers are delicious. so maybe some people miss their burger/hotdog/whatever, or the consistency of the vegan mix allows for “burger” or “hot dog” shape… in the end – delish food.
i could go for a samosa. right now.
those are some pretty compelling reasons to go vegan right there. Anyways, why don’t you guys check out my FB page and “Like” it. http://on.fb.me/rmGgc7
BTW, that wasn’t meant to be “like” it in a threatening way. As in, “And you better like it!” But rather hey click “LIke” if you’re so inclined. Obvs.
These are awesome photos of that day! Check out my review of good times at DC Veg Fest http://wp.me/p1GQWj-Fg