Vegan Fest returns after six year hiatus
Vegan Fest was celebrated at Rice in the RMC Grand Hall March 25. The event, hosted by Rice Vegan Society, welcomed 25 vendors and organizers for around 610 attendees, according to events coordinator Hong Lin Tsai.
Raj Anthony, the president of Rice Vegan Society, said he wanted to revive the event after hearing about a VegFest that took place in 2019.
“We want people to see just how great plant-based food and items are,” said Anthony, a McMurtry College senior. “Our goal is that this [event] raises awareness from a sustainability and ethics and even health point of view of having more plant-based products, but also gives people more exposure to [plant-based products] and lets them know just how great they are from firsthand experience.”
For some volunteers, like club member Bennett Reddig, the event served to increase accessibility to vegan food options.
“I think it was important to our club members to bring vegan food on campus and make vegan food more accessible,” said Reddig, a McMurtry College sophomore. “It’s important to make vegan food accessible to all and raise awareness about veganism.”
Attendees were able to explore Houston-based vendors and take free samples, with the option to buy products as well. Sally Myers, owner of the business SallyGirls Gourmet Popkern, said she has enjoyed seeing the variety of foods available at the event.
“[There are] so many different types of foods that you wouldn’t think [could be vegan],” Myers said. “We see the burger over here, and it’s like, ‘Wow, they have a vegan burger.’ It’s just really awesome.”
Vera Lee, a chemical engineer and VegFest attendee, said she enjoyed seeing both familiar and unfamiliar food vendors.
“I think being vegetarian or vegan is very important for not only our health and the environment, but for our wellbeing as a society,” Lee said. “I love to see a lot of vegans in one place. I hope that it can become more widespread as people are more aware of it and know that the food is actually really delicious.”
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