September 16, 2024

In August, Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) held our much-anticipated annual Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge (TCVCC). Over the course of the month, 24 restaurants participated, offering up special plant-based dishes to eager diners. With over 1,000 meal ratings and hundreds posting about their experiences using the hashtag #tcveganchef, the challenge not only showcased delicious vegan food but also fostered community and fun. Raters and posters alike were eligible for prizes, including gift cards from participating restaurants. 

Gift card winners have all been notified via social media. But the TCVCC restaurant winners will be announced at Twin Cities Veg Fest, where you can meet many of the chefs behind the creations. Join us for the big reveal!

One family, the Lundquists — Greg, Stephanie, and their daughter Rebecca — stood out among the participants. Their dedication to the challenge was extraordinary. Not only did they visit every restaurant in the challenge, but they also documented their culinary journey through Facebook posts and TikTok videos, sharing their experiences with the world. As a result, all three family members won gift cards: Greg snagged one to Duke’s on 7, Stephanie won a gift card to Book Club, and Greg and Rebecca tied for the most votes cast, earning them gift cards to Pinoli and Stanley’s respectively.

So, what motivated this family to take on such a tasty challenge? We checked in with them to learn more about their experience and what kept them going.

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September 16, 2024

If you’re curious about delicious vegan food, unique handmade products, and learning about healthy living, Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024 is the place to be! This exciting event is packed with something for everyone, whether you’re already vegan or just exploring plant-based options. With over 100 vendors offering everything from food to crafts, you won’t want to miss it! Below is a preview of what you can expect, organized by category, with some tasty and exciting highlights.

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September 6, 2024

Timothy, a 6-year-old Hereford, calls Farmaste Animal Sanctuary his home. Though he now enjoys a peaceful life, his journey was a difficult one. Timothy was rescued from a neglectful situation where his previous owner failed to treat his herd for pink eye. This easily treatable condition then led to severe damage to Timothy’s eyes, which ruptured. To save him, Timothy’s eyes had to be removed immediately, but that was just the beginning of his recovery.

After multiple infections and a long healing process, Timothy was finally ready to join his new family at Farmaste. Despite his blindness, Timothy quickly adapted to his new surroundings and formed a special bond with another rescue, Mags. The two lived in neighboring stalls at first, gradually getting to know each other. Over time, they were introduced, and soon they became inseparable best friends.

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September 3, 2024

Discovering a Passion for Volunteering

Lexy Race began her journey with Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) on February 10th, 2024, when she volunteered at a book signing and speaking event featuring Dr. Greger. This event marked the beginning of her involvement with the organization. Since then, Lexy has become a familiar face at various CAA events, contributing her time and energy to a cause she deeply believes in.

How It All Started

Lexy first learned about CAA at the Twin Cities Veg Fest in 2021. However, it wasn’t until she participated in the Plant-Based Bike Crawl in 2023 that her interest in volunteering really took off. Meeting the CAA staff members at this event inspired her to get more involved. Reflecting on her experience, Lexy shares, “What impresses me the most about CAA is how organized and inclusive the community is.”

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Join us for the online Vegan Recipe Club on September 17 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The cookbook for this month is Joyfull by Radhi Devlukia Shetty.

If you are curious about vegan cooking, this club is for you! Each month, participants make three recipes from popular cookbooks then share their reflections with the group. Novice to expert cooks are welcome, as are interested non-cooks. Registration not required.

Download the recipes 

About Joyfull

The publisher describes the book:

“More than 125 plant-based recipes and a practical approach to making deeply flavorful food for feeling your best…

A passionate self-taught cook and nutritionist, Radhi Devlukia-Shetty’s JoyFull is abundant and inviting. With more than 125 plant-based recipes, it is designed to balance health and satisfaction; her wide-ranging dishes bring vibrant flavors to every meal of the day and rely on accessible ingredients.

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August 26, 2024

We were fortunate to have another pair of outstanding summer interns this year! Tasniin and Treyanna, both sophomores in high school, joined us through the Step Up program for a two-month internship that began in June. While with us, they provided valuable assistance with outreach events and administrative tasks.

About Tasniin

Tasniin is a student at STEP Academy with a passion for learning and growth. Her favorite food is pasta. Tasniin is also a big fan of cats.

Eager to gain work experience and understand the value of earning and managing money, Tasniin chose to spend her summer volunteering with CAA. She sees this opportunity as a crucial step in building a solid foundation for her future, both personally and professionally. Through her internship, Tasniin is preparing herself for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

About Treyanna

Treyanna grew up in a large family with three sisters, five brothers, and a niece she absolutely adores. She loves activities that keep her active and connected to nature. The idea of a traditional 9-to-5 desk job doesn’t appeal to her. Instead, she thrives in hands-on roles, especially those that let her work directly with animals.

How Tasniin and Treyanna Helped CAA

CAA was thrilled to have the support of Treyanna and Tasniin during the busy summer months. They were a tremendous help in staffing outreach tables at various summer events. A focus of their work was on issues related to food deserts and animal rights. 

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August 26, 2024

Get ready for an exciting day of delicious food, inspiring talks, and family-friendly fun at the 2024 Twin Cities Veg Fest! Join us on September 22 from 10 am to 4 pm at Harriet Island Park for the best Veg Fest yet, with something for everyone — whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about plant-based living.

Tabitha Brown, an author and celebrity, attended last year’s festival and called it, “A beautiful day full of love, compassion, and delicious food.” Over 5,000 people (representing all types of diets) come each year for the food, music, fun, and inspiration. Compassionate Action for Animals is proud to have organized this popular, free festival for the past 12 years. Check out this link to see images from last year’s festival.

A Food Lover’s Paradise

With over 25 food trucks and food vendors, the festival offers an incredible array of plant-based dishes. From savory snacks to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving. 

In addition to the food trucks, there will be various opportunities to sample free vegan food around the festival. Be sure to grab a free sample of The Herbivorous Butcher’s famous beef sticks while supplies last. Plus, the first 100 attendees will receive free swag bags filled with goodies from festival sponsors.

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August 19, 2024

Scout and Bryn Gavin from Chanhassen recently made a donation to Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA). What makes their gift even more special is the story behind it.

These two young people set aside some of the money they earned from chores and other activities for charity. They spent time researching local charities and decided to give their donation of $75 each to CAA. This decision shows their dedication to making a positive difference, even at a young age.

Earlier this month, Scout, Bryn, and their dad, Patrick, visited the CAA office in person to deliver their donation. They wanted to do more than just send money — they wanted to learn more about CAA’s mission and connect with the organization they chose to support. During their visit, they met with Laura Matanah, the Executive Director of CAA, who explained our work and why compassionate living is so important.

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August 12, 2024

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On July 28, over 50 participants joined Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) for the second Twin Cities Plant-Based Bike Crawl. They enjoyed a fun-filled day of biking, vegan eating, and partying around Minneapolis. It was a fantastic way to launch the fundraising campaign for Twin Cities Veg Fest. 

The Rolling Dine-Out Experience

The Bike Crawl was designed for riders of all skill levels and offered two route options. Both routes took cyclists through the beautiful, tree-lined streets of Minneapolis, with stops for delicious vegan fare at Reverie Cafe + Bar and Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken. Those on the 30-mile route also sampled food from Francis Burger Joint, while the 11.3-mile riders enjoyed a cookie from Trio Plant-Based. VIP riders received a custom CAA Aero Tech bike jersey, along with other perks.

The After-Party for All

The day wrapped up with an After-Party at Reverie Cafe + Bar, where riders were joined by friends and CAA supporters to celebrate. The event featured live music, food, drinks, games, and a variety of vegan vendors. Many folks who did not participate in the Bike Crawl came just for the After-Party to enjoy all the fun, as well as the delicious brunch menu at Reverie. 

The fun included games like Ping Pong Ball Toss and Rubber Duck Pond, both of which were fundraisers for Twin Cities Veg Fest. Many party-goers tried their luck at these fun, carnival-style games.

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