November 18, 2024

The Twin Cities have some amazing vegan holiday offerings this year! From pies and meal kits to full dinners, local businesses are providing a wide range of plant-based options to help you create a compassionate and delicious celebration.  This is especially timely as recent research shows that 29% of all Americans plan to have plant-based options on their Thanksgiving table!

Our guide provides ideas for some of this season’s best vegan holiday specials. This page is a work in progress requiring group input to make it as complete and accurate as possible. We captured as much information as we could but may have missed some special offerings. Help out and email us with any additional vegan holiday options or to add further details: [email protected]. Information on options in Greater Minnesota are particularly helpful. Please note that some deadlines may have passed or items may be sold out — check with each business for more details. 

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November 11, 2024

Spring Farm Sanctuary Welcomes Hope and Asher

Spring Farm Sanctuary recently welcomed two very special sheep, Hope and Asher, who have quickly become part of the sanctuary family. Their journey to safety began when the sanctuary received a call about two lambs in desperate need. These lambs had been neglected and were about to be killed. It was clear they needed immediate help, so Spring Farm rushed to save them, hoping to give them a second chance at life.

Rescue and Recovery

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November 11, 2024

A Look at Our New Space

We’re now sharing our office space with the local nonprofit DEMO, a group preserving and promoting Minnesota’s music legacy. This connection was made possible by DEMO’s Mitch Thompson, a past CAA board member and current volunteer. Laura Matanah, CAA Executive Director shares why she’s enthusiastic about the space: ”We’ve been lucky to find a new space for below-market rates with everything we wanted: ADA accessible, close to transit, easy access to an outdoor space to gather, and kitchen access for events. We’re right by the Mississippi River. We look forward to welcoming volunteers and donors there!”

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October 11, 2024

Catherine Krummey, a passionate advocate for plant-based living, launched her blog Veg Out in 2022 to combine her love for vegan comfort food and film. Pairing delicious vegan recipes with her favorite movies and TV shows, Veg Out has become a space where food lovers and movie buffs connect.

Involvement With Compassionate Action for Animals

Since moving to the Twin Cities in 2021, Catherine has explored vegetarian and vegan organizations, eventually coming upon Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA). Discovering that her values match with CAA’s, she has gone on to participate in our events and campaigns. This year, she volunteered to use her social media skills on behalf of Twin Cities Veg Fest. 

Catherine’s Compassionate Food Journey

Catherine’s journey towards plant-based living began in 2009 when she became a vegetarian, and by 2023, she fully transitioned to a vegan diet. The abundance of vegan options in the Twin Cities helped her make the switch. When asked about her favorite restaurants she told us “I enjoyed everything I have eaten at J. Selby’s, Trio, Pizza Lucé and Reverie.”

Her love for cooking and baking fuels her creativity, often inspiring her to veganize comfort foods like pies, casseroles, and ice cream — many of which she shares on her blog.

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October 3, 2024

Olivia, an 8-year-old Saanen goat, has found her forever home at Herbivorous Acres, a sanctuary devoted to giving farmed animals a second chance. She’s now known as the “mother” of the sanctuary, loved by all who meet her. 

Olivia’s journey to this peaceful place began in 2019 when she and her son, Lucky, were rescued from a Wisconsin dairy farm. In a rare and heartwarming outcome, both goats were surrendered together by the farmer, allowing them to stay side by side — something that doesn’t often happen in factory farming.

A Rare Bond: Olivia and Lucky’s Journey Together

In the world of industrial farming, baby animals are often separated from their mothers shortly after birth, treated as commodities rather than sentient beings. Olivia and Lucky’s story is a touching exception. Their bond has remained unbroken since their rescue, and now, they get to spend every day together in the serene environment of Herbivorous Acres. They’re often seen side by side, soaking up the sunshine or grazing in the fields, enjoying the simple pleasures of their new life.

Olivia’s Health Struggles and Triumphs

When Olivia arrived at the sanctuary, she was in very poor health. Severely malnourished and suffering from two incurable diseases: CAE (Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis) and CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis), she faced challenges. These diseases, common in goats, are often a death sentence on factory farms, as infected animals are typically euthanized to prevent spreading to the rest of the herd. But at Herbivorous Acres, Olivia was given the care and attention she needed to survive and eventually thrive.

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October 1, 2024

The University of Minnesota’s chapter of Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) is gearing up for an exciting VegWeek this October! VegWeek is all about raising awareness of compassionate living and inspiring new members to get involved with their activism efforts. So far this year, more students are actively participating in animal advocacy, making it one of their most impactful yet. They are hoping they can attract additional new members through VegWeek as well as their visit to Twin Cities Veg Fest and a potluck picnic.

What Is VegWeek? 

VegWeek is a week-long event the week of October 14. This week was chosen because of its proximity to World Animal Day and World Vegetarian Day. The goal is raising awareness about veganism and inviting students to take a pledge to go vegan for a week. 

Participants who sign up will receive a swag bag at one of the week’s events. These events are designed to build excitement on campus and provide support for those taking the pledge. Activities include cookie decorating, a bake sale, a career panel, movie screenings, grocery runs, and cooking demos — all designed to help students explore vegan eating.

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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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