Advantages of plant-based life-style celebrated as Winnipeg VegFest returns after pandemic hiatus

Folks gathered en masse in Winnipeg Saturday for an annual competition celebrating plant-based existence that hasn’t been held in-person since earlier than the pandemic.

Winnipeg VegFest, which has been operating within the metropolis since 2017, drew folks to the garden outdoors the College of Winnipeg on Portage Avenue for meals, distributors, audio system, stay music and actions for teenagers.

Kristin Lauhn-Jensen, who’s vegan, stated she was wanting ahead to attempting new meals on the occasion — however she was additionally excited to see such a big turnout.

“There is a sense of group that is very nice,” Lauhn-Jensen stated, who switched to a plant-based weight loss plan about 12 years in the past for moral causes.

“I have been to VegFest in a lot greater cities — in London, for instance, and New York — and it is nice to see this rising in Winnipeg as nicely. 

“And folks, I believe, are expressing an curiosity [in it] who aren’t essentially vegetarian or vegan — they only need to strive options, strive new issues, and I believe that is improbable.”

Organizer Randy Tonnellier stated the occasion is a component convention, half competition and “actually only a celebration of every little thing plant-based.”

Tonnellier stated folks can anticipate a vigorous market and meals court docket, with about 80 distributors between them, a children’ space with contests all through the day, stay music and a drag present.

However the true star is the lineup of audio system the occasion brings in from around the globe, he stated.

That record consists of vegan strongman Patrik Baboumian, who was featured in The Recreation Changers, a documentary about professional athletes who eat plant-based diets.

Tonnellier stated the occasion focuses on the animal welfare, environmental and well being impacts of switching to a extra plant-based weight loss plan — which he hopes is pushed residence for anybody who stops by the competition.

“I believe persons are actually waking as much as the truth that consuming animals and consuming animal merchandise is simply not a sustainable way of life anymore,” he advised CBC’s Weekend Morning Present host Keisha Paul.

One 2018 examine suggests giving up meat and dairy is the single most effective way an individual can cut back their environmental impression.

Darci Geiger was among the many distributors at this yr’s occasion along with her firm, Plant Energy Jerky, which makes plant-based jerky merchandise out of soy protein.

She stated she’s listening to extra usually from individuals who say they’re curious about attempting extra plant-based meals for environmental causes, which is a part of why occasions like VegFest are necessary.

“It is a good alternative for folks to return out and take a look at totally different meals and meet people who find themselves vegetarian and vegan and ask questions, and it is good for the group to have the ability to rejoice,” stated Geiger, who’s been plant-based since she was six years previous.

Carrie Kettles, who travelled to Winnipeg from Lac du Bonnet for VegFest and was once concerned within the occasion, stated she was wanting ahead to seeing previous associates and supporting the distributors on the competition.

She stated she determined to modify to a principally plant-based weight loss plan for a number of causes.

“I like the truth that it is more healthy for the animals and the planet and myself,” Kettles stated.

And Tonnellier stated whereas the occasion focuses on all issues plant-based, you do not have to swear off meat to cease by and study extra.

“There’s nothing about our occasion that we wish folks to really feel intimidated by. We do not need you to join something — to, , change into vegan in a single day, something like that,” he stated.

“It is simply to assist educate folks. And a few folks may select to tackle a meatless Monday sooner or later. Some folks may select to change into vegan. However no matter folks get out of this, we’re simply joyful to be there and to assist unfold the phrase.”

Winnipeg VegFest runs till 6 p.m. Saturday on the College of Winnipeg.