5th Annual Veg Week: A Triumphant Success!

By Kristine Volovsek

In 2008, from September 30 to October 6, CAA's 5th annual Veg Week touched nearly 2,000 people through events such as a vegan food-giveaway, a lecture on the ethics of food, cooking classes, and dine-outs. This year 780 people pledged to go either vegetarian or vegan for the entire week, making this the most successful Veg Week ever. This total represents nearly 200 more people pledging than last year!

CAA's annual Vegan Food Showcase heralded the start of Veg Week, with over 1,500 students and community members participating. Nearly 40 companies donated food, beverages, and coupons for the giveaway including Tofutti Cutie ice cream bars and Tofurky slices. Four-hundred and twenty people "Pledged to be Veg" at this event alone.

Jim Mason, the prominent author and vegan activist, gave a lecture on how our food choices impact animals, humans, and our environment. The Coffman Theater was standing room only, with over 400 attendees packed inside. Many people interacted with Mason following the event, and all enjoyed delicious food from Pizza Lucé and other vendors.

A vegan cooking class led by skilled chef Cali Mastny kept Veg Week's momentum going strong. The all-vegan menu included salad with tofu sticks, mock fried chicken, 'cheesy' mashed potatoes and chocolate cupcakes. In addition to being taught how to cook delicious vegan food, event-goers also were given a presentation by dietitian Suzanne Sorensen on how to plan a well-balanced and nutritious vegan diet.

Veg Week continued with 50 people coming together for a vegan potluck featuring a wide array of delicious and animal friendly foods, with plenty of quality time for vegans and vegetarians to socialize. Discussion was provoked by the well-attended screening of The Emotional World of Farm Animals. A few days later, 40 people took advantage of a rare opportunity to interact with chickens at the only urban chicken rescue of its kind, Chicken Run Rescue, in Minneapolis.

The conclusion of Veg Week was celebrated with amazing dine-outs at Evergreen Chinese Restaurant and The Red Sea bar and Restaurant, both in Minneapolis. Friends of CAA kicked-back, relaxed, and enjoyed outstanding animal-free cuisine. CAA's Fifth Annual Veg Week was a catalyst for hundreds of new people to learn about animal issues and veganism, making the Fifth Annual our biggest Veg Week to date!