Plant-based dietary options are becoming more common and accepted, the organizer of a vegan and vegetarian showcase in Nanaimo says.
VegFest Nanaimo is taking place today, July 5 and Teesha Middleton, organizer and Positively Vegan vice-president, says attitudes towards non-meat diets have evolved in the 12 years she has been vegan – excluding all animal products from her diet.
"I've seen a big shift in people's perception of veganism. A lot of people are changing now because of their health and diet, or … because of the environment, and they see the impacts on the environment and want to make a change, and the easiest way to make a change for them is by their food choices," she said.
Middleton previously told the News Bulletin there are plenty of options and said she has even adjusted some of her favourite recipes.
"I think when I first switched over, really had a kinship with mac-and-cheese. Who doesn't being Canadian, right?" said Middleton "So I have a cashew base-style cheese and use it with nutritional yeast, which is a good substitute for a cheese type of flavour. Now, you're not going to get the exact same thing as cheese … It's each to their own, and what you choose."
Over 50 vendors were on site at Maffeo Sutton Park, according to Middleton, and about 5,000 were expected to attend.
Nanaimo VegFest goes until 4 p.m. today at Maffeo Sutton Park and there will be similar events across B.C. in the coming months.
"We do a lot of fundraising because we are a not-for-profit … We also will be having VegFest Victoria Aug. 16 and then our third big event is VegFest Kelowna on Sept. 21," said Middleton. "So we've taken on three events under our umbrella of Positively Vegan this year."
