​Fargo-Moorhead VegFest picking up steam

By Suzanne Carroll

suzanneehanson@yahoo.com

It has been one year since Fargo-Moorhead hosted its first annual VegFest. Since that time, the area's vegan scene has been picking up steam. In May, the Toasted Frog paid homage to plant-based eating by offering a day of vegan menu items and drinks, including Bloody Marys without the usual fish fillers.

Then summer brought Saturdays at the Red River Market, where vendors had an assortment of vegan options, including both entrees and desserts. In August, there was big news with the opening of North Dakota’s only completely plant-based restaurant, the Green House Café, in downtown Fargo. And just last month, Sandy's Donuts announced that they have added vegan donuts to their weekly rotation.

F-M VegFest wants to build on this momentum by offering a full day of speakers, food demonstrations, vendors and activities to highlight the health, environmental and ethical benefits of a vegan diet. This year the event returns to the Moorhead Center Mall at 10:00 am on Sat. Oct. 16.

Last year's event was a hit, with more than 1,100 attendees. This year will bring upgrades, such as a separate room for speakers and more local food vendors. Several national companies will return to give samples of their products. Swag bags filled with goodies will be given out to the first 1000 guests.

Kicking off the presentations at 10am will be local chef Joey Haynes. He’s been making a name for himself recently. Previously, Haynes worked for restaurants such as Panera and Vinyl Taco, but he wanted to be able to use his experience to address an unmet need in the FM area—a completely plant-based restaurant. Joey and his wife Abigail opened up the Green House Café in August. It’s a full-service restaurant with a diverse menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Joey has done cooking demonstrations at local stores and made a recent appearance on North Dakota Today, showing viewers how quick and easy it can be to whip up a tofu scramble. Whatever Joey decides to prepare for this year’s attendees, people can be assured that he uses easy-to-find ingredients and presents information in a low key, easy to understand manner.

At 11am, Dr. Neal Barnard returns to headline the event. Fargo native Dr. Barnard, M.D., is an adjunct associate professor of medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C., author of 17 best-selling books, numerous peer-reviewed articles, and is a regular guest on daytime programs such as Dr. Oz and The Doctors. He is the founder and current president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Since last year’s FM VegFest, Dr. Barnard has been busy. In January, he opened up the Barnard Medical Center in Washington D.C. The aim of the center is to provide an innovative method of primary care by integrating preventative care as a regular treatment approach. Specifically, the non-profit center promotes a plant-based diet as way to treat and reverse such chronic illnesses as heart disease and diabetes.

During this year’s VegFest, Dr. Barnard will be speaking on the topic of cheese. According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans are eating approximately 23 pounds of cheese per person per year, up from 8 pounds per person in 1970! Dr. Barnard calls cheese a, “quirky, addictive substance,” and discusses its potential role as an allergen and carcinogen.

Studies in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and Nutrition and Cancer have shown a link between cheese and other dairy products and breast cancer. With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness month, this promises to be a timely and thought-provoking talk.

At noon, Minneapolis-based Nick Coughlin from Compassionate Man Magazine speaks about the way masculinity is portrayed in mainstream media, and how it affects the way men relate with other beings. Coughlin wants to challenge the idea that being vegan isn't “manly.”

According to data obtained by the Huffington Post in 2014, the majority of people in America who call themselves vegan are women. Ironically, several peer-reviewed studies in the U.S. and Europe point to a vegan diet as one of the most beneficial responses for common men's health issues such as low testosterone and erectile dysfunction. Coughlin may be onto something.

Also from Minneapolis is Mistress Ginger, who will present her “Compassion with a Fankick” cooking demonstration at 1pm. In 2014, she released her first cookbook, Mistress Ginger Cooks!: Everyday Vegan Food for Everyone. With recipes like Sloppy Gingers, Gingersnatch Cookies, and Ginger's Balls, her presentation will surely serve up cooking with a healthy side of kitsch.

At 2pm, Chef Joey Haynes returns to provide attendees with another round of food demonstrations. At 3pm, local vegan baker Emily Swedberg, owner of Lucid Bakery, is having a cookie decorating contest.

To close out the day's presentations, Chef Alyssa from Punk Rawk Labs will be doing a cooking demonstration using her own line of cultured cashew cheeses. This is a must-attend demonstration for anyone looking for dairy-cheese alternatives after Dr. Barnard's earlier talk.

In addition to the presenter's lineup, several local restaurants will be offering up their best veggie dishes throughout the day. Expect mouthwatering mainstays from Everest Tikka House, Gigi’s Ice Lollies, Greenhouse Cafe and Deb Jenkins, just to name a few.

There will be product giveaways, vegan health and beauty vendors and samples galore. Pirate Radio will also have a photo booth so people can get their veggie-selfies on.

This event is free and open to the public and it is important to note that you do not have to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy everything there is to offer. For more information, go to fmvegfest.com.

IF YOU GO

Fargo Moorhead VegFest

Saturday, October 15, 10am-5pm

Moorhead Center Mall, 510 Center Ave, Moorhead