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Celebrating Compassion and Creativity: The Story of Catherine Krummey and Her Veg Out Blog
October 11, 2024
Catherine Krummey, a passionate advocate for plant-based living, launched her blog Veg Out in 2022 to combine her love for vegan comfort food and film. Pairing delicious vegan recipes with her favorite movies and TV shows, Veg Out has become a space where food lovers and movie buffs connect.
Involvement With Compassionate Action for Animals
Since moving to the Twin Cities in 2021, Catherine has explored vegetarian and vegan organizations, eventually coming upon Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA). Discovering that her values match with CAA’s, she has gone on to participate in our events and campaigns. This year, she volunteered to use her social media skills on behalf of Twin Cities Veg Fest.
Catherine’s Compassionate Food Journey
Catherine’s journey towards plant-based living began in 2009 when she became a vegetarian, and by 2023, she fully transitioned to a vegan diet. The abundance of vegan options in the Twin Cities helped her make the switch. When asked about her favorite restaurants she told us “I enjoyed everything I have eaten at J. Selby’s, Trio, Pizza Lucé and Reverie.”
Her love for cooking and baking fuels her creativity, often inspiring her to veganize comfort foods like pies, casseroles, and ice cream — many of which she shares on her blog.
Meet Olivia: A Resilient Goat Living Her Best Life at Herbivorous Acres
October 3, 2024
Olivia, an 8-year-old Saanen goat, has found her forever home at Herbivorous Acres, a sanctuary devoted to giving farmed animals a second chance. She’s now known as the “mother” of the sanctuary, loved by all who meet her.
Olivia’s journey to this peaceful place began in 2019 when she and her son, Lucky, were rescued from a Wisconsin dairy farm. In a rare and heartwarming outcome, both goats were surrendered together by the farmer, allowing them to stay side by side — something that doesn’t often happen in factory farming.
A Rare Bond: Olivia and Lucky’s Journey Together
In the world of industrial farming, baby animals are often separated from their mothers shortly after birth, treated as commodities rather than sentient beings. Olivia and Lucky’s story is a touching exception. Their bond has remained unbroken since their rescue, and now, they get to spend every day together in the serene environment of Herbivorous Acres. They’re often seen side by side, soaking up the sunshine or grazing in the fields, enjoying the simple pleasures of their new life.
Olivia’s Health Struggles and Triumphs
When Olivia arrived at the sanctuary, she was in very poor health. Severely malnourished and suffering from two incurable diseases: CAE (Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis) and CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis), she faced challenges. These diseases, common in goats, are often a death sentence on factory farms, as infected animals are typically euthanized to prevent spreading to the rest of the herd. But at Herbivorous Acres, Olivia was given the care and attention she needed to survive and eventually thrive.
VegWeek 2024: Encouraging Compassion and Community at the University of Minnesota
October 1, 2024
The University of Minnesota’s chapter of Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) is gearing up for an exciting VegWeek this October! VegWeek is all about raising awareness of compassionate living and inspiring new members to get involved with their activism efforts. So far this year, more students are actively participating in animal advocacy, making it one of their most impactful yet. They are hoping they can attract additional new members through VegWeek as well as their visit to Twin Cities Veg Fest and a potluck picnic.
What Is VegWeek?
VegWeek is a week-long event the week of October 14. This week was chosen because of its proximity to World Animal Day and World Vegetarian Day. The goal is raising awareness about veganism and inviting students to take a pledge to go vegan for a week.
Participants who sign up will receive a swag bag at one of the week’s events. These events are designed to build excitement on campus and provide support for those taking the pledge. Activities include cookie decorating, a bake sale, a career panel, movie screenings, grocery runs, and cooking demos — all designed to help students explore vegan eating.
Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024: A Celebration of Community and Compassionate Living
October 1, 2024
Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024 took place on September 22 at Harriet Island Park, and it was a huge success! With over 5,000 attendees, this year’s event had everything from delicious food and live music to fun activities and engaging talks. Organized by Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA), this was the 12th annual festival, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate plant-based living and compassionate choices.
If you missed out or want to relive the festival, be sure to check out our photo slideshow above! We’ve captured the highlights, from the American Vegetarian Association Main Stage with its awesome speakers to the Focus Health and Music Stage featuring live music and yoga and the games at the Farmaste Fun Zone. Not to mention all the fantastic folks at the festival and the tasty food. These photos showcase the energy and excitement of the day, bringing back memories of a great time.
Volunteer Spotlight: Tom Hoch’s Passion for Animal Advocacy and Community Service
September 23, 2024
Tom Hoch has been volunteering with Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) for just a few months, but his passion for animal rights runs deep. He became involved with CAA through his connections with other animal rights organizations and was drawn to our mission to create a more compassionate world for animals.
Volunteer Roles and Goals
Currently, Tom is involved with the CAA Policy Work Group, where he’s working with others to plan how to advance legislation and policies that benefit farmed animals and promote plant-based diets. He believes in the importance of gradually changing societal norms surrounding animal agriculture, starting with better labeling to provide transparency for consumers. Tom also supports anti-confinement legislation and advocates for offering plant-based alternatives in school meals.
His strategic mindset focuses on moving forward patiently to avoid resistance and foster long-term change in how people view animal consumption.
The Results Are In! Discover the 2024 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Winners
September 23, 2025
This August, the Twin Cities were abuzz with tasty plant-based excitement! Twenty four local restaurants competed in the 2024 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge, each creating a unique and delicious vegan dish. Diners from all diets — vegan, veg-curious, and everything in between — came out to taste them. After sampling the dishes, diners rated them, providing feedback that helped crown the winners.
With over one thousand votes cast and social media buzzing, the challenge reached thousands of people throughout Minnesota. This event spotlighted the growing trend toward plant-based eating. It also offered a platform for chefs to get creative, gain publicity, and learn from diner feedback. Winners were determined based on restaurant ratings/feedback.
Participating restaurateurs and diners alike anxiously awaited the results of the competition, which were finally revealed at Twin Cities Veg Fest on September 22, 2024. The exciting and engaging presentation drew a big crowd to the American Vegetarian Association mainstage, closing out the entertainment schedule at the festival.
Challenge Accepted: One Family’s Adventure in Trying All the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Dishes
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.
Savor, Shop and Learn: a Sampling of Food, Vendors and Exhibitors at Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024
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.
Meet Timothy: A Resilient Resident of Farmaste Animal Sanctuary
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.
Volunteer Spotlight: How Lexy Race Found Her Place With CAA
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.”