October 1, 2024

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Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024 took place on September 22 at Harriet Island Park, and it was a huge success! With over 5,000 attendees, this year’s event had everything from delicious food and live music to fun activities and engaging talks. Organized by Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA), this was the 12th annual festival, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate plant-based living and compassionate choices. 

If you missed out or want to relive the festival, be sure to check out our photo slideshow above! We’ve captured the highlights, from the American Vegetarian Association Main Stage with its awesome speakers to the Focus Health and Music Stage featuring live music and yoga and the games at the Farmaste Fun Zone. Not to mention all the fantastic folks at the festival and the tasty food. These photos showcase the energy and excitement of the day, bringing back memories of a great time.

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September 23, 2024

Tom Hoch has been volunteering with Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) for just a few months, but his passion for animal rights runs deep. He became involved with CAA through his connections with other animal rights organizations and was drawn to our mission to create a more compassionate world for animals. 

Volunteer Roles and Goals

Currently, Tom is involved with the CAA Policy Work Group, where he’s working with others to plan how to advance legislation and policies that benefit farmed animals and promote plant-based diets. He believes in the importance of gradually changing societal norms surrounding animal agriculture, starting with better labeling to provide transparency for consumers. Tom also supports anti-confinement legislation and advocates for offering plant-based alternatives in school meals. 

His strategic mindset focuses on moving forward patiently to avoid resistance and foster long-term change in how people view animal consumption.

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September 23, 2025

This August, the Twin Cities were abuzz with tasty plant-based excitement! Twenty four local restaurants competed in the 2024 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge, each creating a unique and delicious vegan dish. Diners from all diets — vegan, veg-curious, and everything in between — came out to taste them. After sampling the dishes, diners rated them, providing feedback that helped crown the winners.

With over one thousand votes cast and social media buzzing, the challenge reached thousands of people throughout Minnesota. This event spotlighted the growing trend toward plant-based eating. It also offered a platform for chefs to get creative, gain publicity, and learn from diner feedback. Winners were determined based on restaurant ratings/feedback.

Participating restaurateurs and diners alike anxiously awaited the results of the competition, which were finally revealed at Twin Cities Veg Fest on September 22, 2024. The exciting and engaging presentation drew a big crowd to the American Vegetarian Association mainstage, closing out the entertainment schedule at the festival. 

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September 16, 2024

In August, Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) held our much-anticipated annual Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge (TCVCC). Over the course of the month, 24 restaurants participated, offering up special plant-based dishes to eager diners. With over 1,000 meal ratings and hundreds posting about their experiences using the hashtag #tcveganchef, the challenge not only showcased delicious vegan food but also fostered community and fun. Raters and posters alike were eligible for prizes, including gift cards from participating restaurants. 

Gift card winners have all been notified via social media. But the TCVCC restaurant winners will be announced at Twin Cities Veg Fest, where you can meet many of the chefs behind the creations. Join us for the big reveal!

One family, the Lundquists — Greg, Stephanie, and their daughter Rebecca — stood out among the participants. Their dedication to the challenge was extraordinary. Not only did they visit every restaurant in the challenge, but they also documented their culinary journey through Facebook posts and TikTok videos, sharing their experiences with the world. As a result, all three family members won gift cards: Greg snagged one to Duke’s on 7, Stephanie won a gift card to Book Club, and Greg and Rebecca tied for the most votes cast, earning them gift cards to Pinoli and Stanley’s respectively.

So, what motivated this family to take on such a tasty challenge? We checked in with them to learn more about their experience and what kept them going.

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September 16, 2024

If you’re curious about delicious vegan food, unique handmade products, and learning about healthy living, Twin Cities Veg Fest 2024 is the place to be! This exciting event is packed with something for everyone, whether you’re already vegan or just exploring plant-based options. With over 100 vendors offering everything from food to crafts, you won’t want to miss it! Below is a preview of what you can expect, organized by category, with some tasty and exciting highlights.

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September 6, 2024

Timothy, a 6-year-old Hereford, calls Farmaste Animal Sanctuary his home. Though he now enjoys a peaceful life, his journey was a difficult one. Timothy was rescued from a neglectful situation where his previous owner failed to treat his herd for pink eye. This easily treatable condition then led to severe damage to Timothy’s eyes, which ruptured. To save him, Timothy’s eyes had to be removed immediately, but that was just the beginning of his recovery.

After multiple infections and a long healing process, Timothy was finally ready to join his new family at Farmaste. Despite his blindness, Timothy quickly adapted to his new surroundings and formed a special bond with another rescue, Mags. The two lived in neighboring stalls at first, gradually getting to know each other. Over time, they were introduced, and soon they became inseparable best friends.

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September 3, 2024

Discovering a Passion for Volunteering

Lexy Race began her journey with Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) on February 10th, 2024, when she volunteered at a book signing and speaking event featuring Dr. Greger. This event marked the beginning of her involvement with the organization. Since then, Lexy has become a familiar face at various CAA events, contributing her time and energy to a cause she deeply believes in.

How It All Started

Lexy first learned about CAA at the Twin Cities Veg Fest in 2021. However, it wasn’t until she participated in the Plant-Based Bike Crawl in 2023 that her interest in volunteering really took off. Meeting the CAA staff members at this event inspired her to get more involved. Reflecting on her experience, Lexy shares, “What impresses me the most about CAA is how organized and inclusive the community is.”

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Join us for the online Vegan Recipe Club on September 17 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The cookbook for this month is Joyfull by Radhi Devlukia Shetty.

If you are curious about vegan cooking, this club is for you! Each month, participants make three recipes from popular cookbooks then share their reflections with the group. Novice to expert cooks are welcome, as are interested non-cooks. Registration not required.

Download the recipes 

About Joyfull

The publisher describes the book:

“More than 125 plant-based recipes and a practical approach to making deeply flavorful food for feeling your best…

A passionate self-taught cook and nutritionist, Radhi Devlukia-Shetty’s JoyFull is abundant and inviting. With more than 125 plant-based recipes, it is designed to balance health and satisfaction; her wide-ranging dishes bring vibrant flavors to every meal of the day and rely on accessible ingredients.

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August 26, 2024

We were fortunate to have another pair of outstanding summer interns this year! Tasniin and Treyanna, both sophomores in high school, joined us through the Step Up program for a two-month internship that began in June. While with us, they provided valuable assistance with outreach events and administrative tasks.

About Tasniin

Tasniin is a student at STEP Academy with a passion for learning and growth. Her favorite food is pasta. Tasniin is also a big fan of cats.

Eager to gain work experience and understand the value of earning and managing money, Tasniin chose to spend her summer volunteering with CAA. She sees this opportunity as a crucial step in building a solid foundation for her future, both personally and professionally. Through her internship, Tasniin is preparing herself for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

About Treyanna

Treyanna grew up in a large family with three sisters, five brothers, and a niece she absolutely adores. She loves activities that keep her active and connected to nature. The idea of a traditional 9-to-5 desk job doesn’t appeal to her. Instead, she thrives in hands-on roles, especially those that let her work directly with animals.

How Tasniin and Treyanna Helped CAA

CAA was thrilled to have the support of Treyanna and Tasniin during the busy summer months. They were a tremendous help in staffing outreach tables at various summer events. A focus of their work was on issues related to food deserts and animal rights. 

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August 26, 2024

Get ready for an exciting day of delicious food, inspiring talks, and family-friendly fun at the 2024 Twin Cities Veg Fest! Join us on September 22 from 10 am to 4 pm at Harriet Island Park for the best Veg Fest yet, with something for everyone — whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about plant-based living.

Tabitha Brown, an author and celebrity, attended last year’s festival and called it, “A beautiful day full of love, compassion, and delicious food.” Over 5,000 people (representing all types of diets) come each year for the food, music, fun, and inspiration. Compassionate Action for Animals is proud to have organized this popular, free festival for the past 12 years. Check out this link to see images from last year’s festival.

A Food Lover’s Paradise

With over 25 food trucks and food vendors, the festival offers an incredible array of plant-based dishes. From savory snacks to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving. 

In addition to the food trucks, there will be various opportunities to sample free vegan food around the festival. Be sure to grab a free sample of The Herbivorous Butcher’s famous beef sticks while supplies last. Plus, the first 100 attendees will receive free swag bags filled with goodies from festival sponsors.

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