Vegan Street Fest set for Sunday
A local non-profit is looking to open the eyes of the community when it comes to eating green by serving up a day of great eats and educational demonstrations.
Lifestyle Solutions Healthy Planet, Inc. is bringing the Cape Coral Vegan Street Fest to the Cape this Sunday packed with free samples, cooking demos, food vendors, and guest speakers.
The festivities will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 915 Southeast 14th Place between Viscaya Parkway and Southeast 10th Street in the industrial park. Attendees can also expect live music, deejay, animal friendly and environmentally friendly vendors, and a kids zone.
“Our mission is to promote and educate people on the benefits of following a plant-rich lifestyle,” said Lifestyle Solutions Healthy Planet board member Marlies Laaper. “That is for their health, for the well-being of animals, and the well-being of the planet.
“This is part of our mission to educate people. Cooking demonstrations will show people how easy it is to make delicious food with just plants.”
Those who turn up can get to taste just about any kind of plant alternative they’d like, as there will be 25 food vendors that will be serving purely plant-based dishes.
“People can buy and sample whatever they’d like,” Laaper said. “So many people thing that eating veggies is boring, and it definitely isn’t. This is an opportunity to educate.”
Cooking demonstrations will be done by: Trish Reynaert Smith, Lifestyle Medicine Educator, Collier & Lee County School System; Heather Parker, Wellness Coordinator Lee Public Education Centre; Kathy Reynaert Randall, CHIP/PIVIO Area Developer for State of Florida; Chef Sam Wood, Cafe YOU Head Chef; and Mark Blust, Restaurateur, Fort Myers.
Educational speakers will give talks throughout the event highlighting a specific category of expertise. Speakers and their topics include: Dr. Sal Lacagnina – Food as Medicine; Dr. Gabi Aviles – Exercise as Medicine; Dr. Christine Schierozek – Acupuncture: What is it & it’s not painful!; and Dr. Rebeca Acosta – Functional Medicine, Blood Analysis and Genetic.
“It’s about education, it’s about showing by example and encouraging individuals to follow a stronger plant-based diet,” Laaper said.
Organizers don’t want the day to just be for those that already follow a vegan diet, but for those who may not know exactly the impact it can make.
“The festival is not only for vegans or vegetarians, it’s for anyone,” Laaper said. “We’ll have three stages; one with live, and the others for speakers and demonstrators. There will be yoga demonstrations, palates demonstrations, and of course one stage for cooking.”
Those who frequent the grocery store may have noticed that vegan options are more abundant than ever before. While traditional veggies have forever occupied the produce sections, meat alternatives have invaded the frozen section.
“Vegetables have always been available, but yes, things like the Beyond Burger, and to have alternatives like that, are definitely more available in stores compared to years past. There’s definitely a movement towards supporting those with a plant-based diet.
“I think a big part of the education is to show people how to use things creatively. You can make the most beautiful cheese-like sauce using cashew nuts. It’s more about using what we’ve always had, creatively. And it’s fun.”
Laaper said the event’s goal is also helping people understand how a plant-based lifestyle can impact animals and the environment.
“We’re not trying to convert people overnight, but we’re trying to educate,” she said. “Not only is it good for your health, but there’s less animals suffering, and eating plants is a huge benefit to the environment.”
The event is animal-friendly and parking is free.
For more information on Lifestyle Solutions Healthy Planet, visit LifestyleSolutionsHealthyPlanet.org.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com