Official Event Website: www.portlandvegfest.org
Media Inquiries: Emily Pepe (503) 253-1779 emilynwveg (at) hotmail.com
General Inquiries: (503) 224-7380
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 21, 2008
Take a Bite Out of Global Warming at Portland VegFest
Oregon’s Biggest Annual Vegetarian Festival
Spotlights Eco-friendly, Healthful Cuisine
Whether you’re a long-time vegan or a socially conscious omnivore, you won’t want to miss the 4th annual Portland VegFest on May 9 and 10, sponsored by Northwest VEG. What’s on the menu? Green living, better health, and animal protection—all through dietary awareness.
Portland VegFest will feature nationally renowned authors and activists, acclaimed chefs, and over 60 commercial exhibitors and non-profit groups offering FREE, delicious food samples and information on nutrition, cooking, and environmental sustainability. You’ll enjoy live cooking demonstrations, learn about the environmental hazards of animal agriculture, and find out how to improve your family’s health and reduce your ecological footprint through simple lifestyle changes. Got questions? Be sure to visit our “Ask the Experts” table or, better yet, drop in on VEG 101, a fun series of classes throughout the day that will cover all the basics.
Location: Benson High School, 546 NE 12 Ave., Portland, OR 97232
Admission: $5 each day. Free admission for children 10 and under.
For handicapped access, call (503) 853-6994.
Schedule of Events Friday, May 9Keynote speech at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 with live music by Anima Bhakti.
“Destroying the Earth a Bite at a Time”—Howard Lyman, activist and author
Howard Lyman was a fourth-generation farmer and cattle rancher who became a household name in 1996 when he spoke out against the meat industry during a guest appearance on Oprah. Lyman’s books, Mad Cowboy and No More Bull, document the potentially deadly practices of the cattle and dairy industry and criticize the folly of a high-protein diet. Now 130 pounds lighter and with a 150-point lower cholesterol level, Lyman is a committed vegan and president of the nonprofit organization, Voices for a Viable Future. Info: www.madcowboy.com
Saturday, May 1010 a.m. to 6 p.m. festival with free food samples, lectures, cooking demos, VEG 101 classes, “Ask the Experts” table, exhibits, silent auction, children’s activities. Food and gifts available for purchase. Presenters include Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, Brenda Davis, R.D., Mia MacDonald, Paul Shapiro, and many more! For an event schedule and background information on major presenters, visit
http://portlandvegfest.org/2008/index.shtml?speakers.
Portland VegFest SponsorsVegFest is organized by Northwest VEG with generous sponsorship support from
• Blossoming Lotus Café
• The Humane Society of the United States
• Papa G’s Vegan Organic Deli
Other partners include Bob's Red Mill, Book Publishing Company, Coconut Bliss, Field Roast Grain Meat Company, Integrated Medicine Group, Living Harvest, Natural Awakenings Magazine, ProBar, Proper Eats Market and Café, Pulmuone Wildwood, Redirect Guide, Toby’s Family Foods and Genesis Juices, Vega, and VegNews Magazine.
About Northwest VEG Northwest VEG is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) group that supports healthier, more sustainable, compassionate food choices. For more information, visit www.nwveg.org.
Press Release and image courtesy of Portland VegFestPosted by Brandi Bennett, Best Friends Network Staff