VegFest Postponed Until Spring 2021
Out of safety and concern for our attendees, volunteers, and vendors, VegMichigan has decided to postpone VegFest until next spring. As the number of coronavirus cases continue to rise in Michigan, let's all focus on social distancing and keeping each other safe. When this passes, we will be ready for a big celebration and we promise that next year's VegFest will be worth the wait. In the meantime, please mark your calendars for our 5th annual Free Festival on Sunday, September 13 at Riley Park in downtown Farmington.

The entire VegMichigan family wishes you and your family good health during these challenging times.
A Note to Members
We very much appreciate your support through the years. Your membership directly funds our outreach programs, including free presentations and food tastings, the annual free festival, and our three full-time staff members. Typically, we also rely on proceeds from VegFest to help cover operating costs, which we will lose this year. We are deeply sorry that you will not enjoy free entry into VegFest as a member benefit, but we hope that you will continue to support VegMichigan through these challenging times.
Vegan Takeout Options
Many of our favorite local vegan restaurants are struggling during the coronavirus outbreak. Many had to let go dedicated servers, cooks, and other staff. The co-owner of the popular restaurant, Detroit Vegan Soul, Kirsten Ussery, stated "this situation is extremely difficult for small, independent businesses like ours." Christopher Oliver, Owner of Unburger Grill, said "the coronavirus has affected Unburger Grill, like all of us, with economic devastation. That's the dark cloud, but the silver lining has been community."

Let's show our support by ordering takeout at one of your favorite vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants and always remember the rules of social distancing when picking up food.
VegMichigan has created a list of of local restaurants offering pickup and/or delivery.

Safely Bring Food into Your Home
For many of us, the only time we are leaving our homes is to get food. It's important that we take extra safety precautions when going to the grocery store or ordering takeout, so that we don't unintentionally bring the coronavirus into our homes. Please watch this video by Dr. Jeffery VanWingen, MD, who demonstrates how to properly disinfect food purchased from the grocery store and when ordering takeout and delivery.

Solve Our Riddle and You Could Win a Great Prize!
We know that these are especially challenging times for our friends in the food service industry. In order to support vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, we're purchasing meals to raffle off in order to promote great local vegan options and support the staff. We hope you'll also consider supporting vegan and vegan-friendly businesses during this difficult time by purchasing a gift card or a meal for takeout or delivery.

Here's how it works: solve the riddle below and email your answer to [email protected] along with which prize you want to be entered to win. If your answer is correct, you will be entered into a drawing! All answers must be submitted by April 10.

Prize 1: Vegan Ice Cream "Not" Social delivered to your door by Ice Cream Plant ($40 value)

Prize 2: Dinner for two delivered to your door from The Kitchen by Cooking with Que ($40 value)
Riddle
The beginning of my life is spent upside down surrounded by my peers.
My top looks like my bottom and I have a slight curve in my spine.
I am vulnerable without my coat that changes color as I age.
If my coat falls to the floor, be careful.
For a chance to win more great vegan prizes, including dinner for two from Detroit Vegan Soul and a gift package from Radical Plants, visit our Facebook and Instagram pages.
All April and May Events Postponed
The majority of VegMichigan's work to promote a plant-based diet consists of in-person presentations, vegan food tastings, and social activities. Our April and May events will be rescheduled once we have more clarity regarding the coronavirus.

Before the outbreak, VegMichigan hosted a very successful free Plant-Based 101 program in Westland, which included a plant-based milk tasting, food from Unburger Grill, and a presentation by health coach, Nour Danno. Please consider supporting VegMichigan during these challenging times by becoming a member or making a donation .
VegMichigan Recognized for Successful Activism
VegFund, a nonprofit that empowers vegan advocates worldwide through grant funding, recently included VegMichigan's Plant-Based 101 presentations and vegan food tastings in it's collection of examples of successful vegan outreach. VegFund called our work "remarkable because it demonstrates a thoughtful and approachable way to share veganism with people." We are honored that VegFund has recognized the value of our outreach programs! Read the blog here.
We're Launching a YouTube Channel & New Website
As successful as our in-person events have been at convincing individuals to move toward, or adopt, a plant-based diet, VegMichigan is constantly looking to reach more individuals in Michigan to make it easier to learn "why" and "how" to go plant-based. Our YouTube channel will consist of cooking demos, restaurant and product reviews, interviews, and much more. VegMichigan staffer, Olivia Gramprie, is finishing up her Videography & Motion Graphics Program and will oversee this initiative.
VegMichigan is also working on a major overhaul of our website thanks to the generosity of VegMichigan volunteer, Robert (Bob) Loescher, an IT Support Engineer at Ford Motor Company. Bob is guiding us through the project and we are so thankful for his expertise!
Animal Planet Debuts Show from Barn Sanctuary
While we're each doing our part to social distance in the safety of our homes, you may be looking for ways to stay informed, entertained, and inspired! The timing couldn't be more perfect to tune into Saved By The Barn , the eagerly awaited new show filmed right here in Michigan at Barn Sanctuary, which will begin airing on  Saturday, April 11 at 9pm on Animal Planet. Congratulations to our friends at Barn Sanctuary!
Resources to Keep You Entertained
As we do our part to stop community spread of the coronavirus by staying home, check out some of our favorite ways to stay inspired and educated. Don't forget the snacks !

Movies: The Game Changers, Okja, Eating Animals, The Last Pig, Cowspiracy

Books: How Not To Diet, Animalkind, Your Body in Balance, Eat For Life, In Search of the Wild Tofurky, We Are the Weather

Podcasts: Food for Thought: The Joys and Benefits of Living Vegan , Main Street Vegan, Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger, The Rich Roll Podcast
Try This Recipe
Frittata with Oyster Mushrooms
Stuck at home and not sure what to cook? Try this simple and satisfying recipe using pantry staples from Vegan Everything by Nadine Horn and Jörn Mayer.

Vegan News Headlines
VegMichigan is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization focused on promoting the health, environmental, and ethical benefits of a vegan diet. We work to educate the public by offering a wide range of activities for learning and socializing .