Food
Veg Out
No meat, no problem
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
My friend and I were on our way to the inaugural Bellingham Veg Fest last Sunday when she reminded me that in the past couple of years more than 21,000 scientists from around the world have chimed in to suggest reducing the amount of meat we eat and consuming more plant-based foods is one of the ways humans can change their behavior to help save the planet.
“Do you think it’s a coincidence this event is taking place during the city’s first Climate Action Week?” I queried, pointing to the roster of activities happening through Sept. 29 that are designed to bring attention to a number of urgent environmental issues like marine life loss, fossil fuel addiction and ozone depletion.
“Well, I don’t know about that,” she said, “but I do know climate change is real, and if eating a vegan burger instead of a Big Mac can help out our biosphere in any way, then I’m in.”
With that, we joined the throng at the Depot Market Square who had come to support the efforts of organizers Selena and Justin Holmes and Tamara Pavesi to celebrate “vegan-friendly businesses who offer thoughtful and intentional vegan options” and give a “free platform to local nonprofits whose mission is to protect and care for our environment and animal friends.”
Although it was a rainy day more befitting the first day of fall than the final day of summer, attendees appeared to be unfazed by the weather as they perused the wealth of vegan menu items available to them.
We first sampled Bright and Sunny Ginger Beer’s fermented concoctions—which impressed us so much we each got a cup of the bubbly goodness. Founder Miranda LeonJones is at the Bellingham Farmers Market Saturdays through December, so you can try for yourself.
In fact, new arrivals to Bellingham—welcome, WWU freshmen!—should know that many of the vendors who were on hand have their edible wares regularly available to the masses, including the Community Food Co-op, Boundary Bay Brewery, Gainsbarre, Good to Go, El Fuego and HOSA hot sauces, Fulfilled Foods, Claire Makes Bread, New Mexico Tamale Truck, Vitality Bowls, Wild Oat Cafe, Luna Vida Raw Chocolate, and Sage Against the Machine.
After my buddy and I shared some amazingly savory mac and cheese and faux pork sliders from Twin Sisters Brewing, I stood in line to procure an order of Lord of the Fries from the “100 percent vegan” New Public Food Truck to take home to my boyfriend.
When he dug into the perfectly cooked fries that had been smothered in house-made nacho “cheese,” cilantro lime crema, green onions and toasted walnuts, his eyes lit up with delight.
“These leftovers don’t just make me want to eat better,” he said, “they make me want to be a better person.”
Go to http://www.bellinghamvegfest.org to glean details about the aforementioned vendors.