January 29. 2024

Some of the Cities’ top vegan chefs will be competing in the 13th Annual Vegan Chili Cook-Off. Join us on February 3 to sample their tasty chilis and rate them to help crown the winner. The competition will be from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Great Hall in Coffman Memorial Union at the University of Minnesota.

Last year’s champion, The Howe Daily Kitchen and Bar, will defend their title against four new competitors. La Cocina de Ana,  Mill Valley Kitchen, and Trio Plant-Based may be familiar to you from the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge. Lulu Ethio Vegan Cuisine is a fresh addition to the local culinary scene. Get to know them while refamiliarising yourself with the tasty talents of our other competitors. May the best chili win!

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January 29, 2024

Nicola’s activities with Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) are many and varied. She moved back to the Twin Cities after 12 years in Michigan and, since then, has participated in many CAA events. First, she attended the July 4th Potluck and loved it so much that she decided to become more active with CAA. She also enjoyed the Twin Cities Vegan Bike Crawl, the Vegan Chef Challenge, Twin Cities VegFest, and the ThanksLiving Potluck.

When planning her move here, Nicola immediately searched for a veg fest. She found our Twin Cities VegFest and got excited to connect with CAA. Nicola credits CAA for ensuring the Twin Cities is a thriving vegan hub and appreciates its other fun community and volunteer events.

In her first volunteer role with CAA, she helped organize and serve a lunch at Simpson Housing Services. The event welcomed 25 people experiencing homelessness with a tasty plant-based meal. “It was so rewarding to see shelter guests enjoying our food!” said Nicola.

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January 22, 2024

Are you looking to meet new friends and make a difference for animals and people? CAA has several cool options coming up. With so many opportunities, you can choose the ones that best suit your interests and availability. The best part? Every effort you make helps create a better world for farmed animals and humans alike!

Here are some upcoming events with exciting volunteer opportunities:

Handwrite Hope for Animals—January and February

Join us in writing postcards from the comfort of your own home. These postcards encourage people to sign a petition for cage-free legislation in Minnesota. Write as many cards as you want, whenever it suits your schedule.

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January 22, 2024

We are delighted to share the heartwarming story of Pickles, a spirited 10-month-old Yorkshire Cross pig. He has recently found solace and companionship at Farmaste Animal Sanctuary.

Pickles came to Farmaste from a family who raised him for 4-H competitions for the first 10 months of his life. With his playful and friendly personality, he is adjusting well to sanctuary life. Integrating into a new herd, especially navigating the intricate pig hierarchy, can be challenging. Still, Pickles is determined to befriend Violet, another resident at Farmaste. He even sneaks into the house where Violet sleeps and quietly hangs out in there hoping she won’t be upset that he has disturbed her.

Pickles is a bundle of energy, finding joy in playing with his human friends and in simple delights like straw. An endearing quirk of his is cleaning rocks in his mouth. Farmaste is diligently working with him to drop the rocks when offered food, preventing any potential tooth damage.

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 January 8, 2023

Happy Veganuary! Step into the new year with a sense of purpose and compassion by exploring a move to a plant-based diet. Join us for our 21-Day Explore Veg Challenge, where you’ll receive a wealth of resources and support. From valuable tips and mouthwatering recipes to inspiring stories, we’re here to guide you on your journey. By the end of this challenge, you’ll realize how easy and tasty a plant-based diet can be!

Here’s what you will get when you sign up: 

• A recipe and shopping guide
• 21 coaching emails
• Information on Twin Cities veg resources
• Support group access
• Individual support option

Even better, our program is FREE!

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January 1, 2024

Get ready to be inspired by John Pierce, a passionate volunteer at CAA. John’s journey with CAA began at the 2023 Twin Cities Pride Festival, where he was captivated by the warm and welcoming volunteers at the CAA tent. As someone who cares deeply about animal well-being, John felt an instant connection with the organization.

In his role as a volunteer, John has actively contributed to various CAA events. He helped with vendor set-up at Twin Cities Veg Fest last year. In addition, John used his photography skills there to capture special moments, like the exciting opening ‘rope drop.’ He also participated in a workday at Chicken Run Rescue, demonstrating his commitment to hands-on involvement.

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January 1, 2023

Access to fresh and affordable produce is a challenge faced by many low-income communities, often referred to as “food deserts.” However, Brightside Produce, a groundbreaking organization founded in 2014 in the Twin Cities, is on a mission to improve equitable access to fresh fruits and vegetables. They have developed a unique, sustainable model to make this all happen. BrightSide has stepped up to be a sponsor of our February 10 visit from Dr. Michael Greger and we want you to know about their exciting work.

BrightSide Produce’s primary goal is to improve access to fresh and affordable produce in low-income neighborhoods. In these neighborhoods, residents often have to rely on small convenience stores as their primary source of groceries. These stores often lack fresh fruits and vegetables because they often can’t meet the minimum order amount required by wholesalers. And when they do get produce, they have to pay more and charge more. But with BrightSide, store owners can order as little as they want and still get a break on costs. 

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