Highlights
Articles in this newsletter:
- Spotlight: Meet Cat Black, NW VEG’s New Program Director
- AromaKIND Fragrance Expo
- Harmless Halloween with Vegan Scouts
- Compassionate Thanksgiving Potluck
- Tofurky Trot 2025
- VegFest Is Coming!
- Recipe of the month: Copycat TJ’s Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Local in-person and online events:
- AromaKind – Portland’s Cruelty-Free Fragrance Expo – Sunday, Oct 5
- Westside Potluck - Topic: A Win-Win for Insects: Nature Based Climate Solutions, WHUUF, Sunday, Oct 19, 5-7:30pm
- Vancouver Monthly Potluck – Making Greener Choices, UUCV, Wednesday, Oct 29, 5:30-7:30pm
- Food as Medicine Conference: Santa Cruz, CA and online, Friday, Oct 17
- Compassionate Thanksgiving - Sunday, Nov 16
- Tofurky Trot - Registration Is Open!
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Spotlight on:
Meet Cat Black,
NW VEG’s New Program Director
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Hello. I want to take a minute to introduce myself to the extended Northwest VEG family. Northwest VEG has been a consistent and important voice in the vegan community. I’m excited to help this organization maintain and expand its reach and convince more people to choose the vegan life. I bring to the role experience in public outreach, fundraising, grant management, program development and financial tracking.
I have been eating a fully plant-based diet for over 15 years and am eager to help more people make sustainable lifestyle choices for the sake of our planet, animal welfare, and their own health. When I’m not working, you can find me in the garden or on the river, with my family and rescue dogs LaLa, Bugs, and Figgy.
As we all go through our day, each of us makes innumerable choices that affect the world around us and impact our health. Every bite or sip we take is an opportunity to choose. We can choose to consume whole plant foods that are good for our bodies. We can choose foods with a lower environmental footprint that have a positive impact on our air, water, and soil. We can choose foods that minimize suffering. Each choice is a small one that can add up to a big impact. My earnest desire is to share information about how important and impactful each of our personal choices is. Progress is when the totality of our decisions is moving in the right direction: moving us toward a more healthy, sustainable, and compassionate world.
In the busy months ahead, I hope to meet many of you at one of the many fun events we are putting together where we can gather and share. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of Northwest VEG. There is so much good we can do! I hope that working together we can open minds and change behaviors.
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AromaKIND
Vegan Fragrance Expo
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Portland’s cruelty-free fragrance expo, coming to the iconic Jupiter Hotel on October 5, 2025
As you know, it's not always possible to find products that align with your values, so this event will bring together conscientious fragrance consumers and producers for a first-of-its-kind expo in the Portland market. AromaKIND is an opportunity for indie perfumers and other scent-based artists to showcase and sell their cruelty-free, vegan products.
AromaKIND will feature independent perfumers from the Pacific Northwest, a perfume swap, raffle prizes, vegan snacks, and presentations on ethical perfumery. Admission to this event is free. Please join us!
Click here to read entire article
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Harmless Halloween:
A Spooky, Compassionate Celebration for the Whole Family
Saturday, November 1
Leaven Community Center, 5431 NE 20th Ave, Portland
VIP Hour: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
General Admission: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Suggested Donation: $5 per person
(no one turned away for lack of funds)
RESERVE
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Get ready for the Harmless Halloween of your dreams! Vegan Scouts and Try Vegan PDX are joining forces to bring you the kindest, most deliciously vegan Halloween event of the year. With thanks to our generous sponsor, Northwest VEG, this year's Harmless Halloween promises to be an unforgettable celebration of fun, community, and compassion, with plenty of spooky surprises and family-friendly activities.
New This Year: VIP Hour! Click here to see the entire article
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This Thanksgiving why not celebrate with compassion at the heart of your holiday meal? We invite you to join us for the Annual Compassionate Thanksgiving Potluck—a joyous gathering where kindness, community, and plant-based goodness take center stage. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with old friends, make new ones, and enjoy a delicious feast that’s kind to animals and the planet.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 16, and bring the whole family! There will be fun activities for the kids, so everyone—big and small—can join in the celebration. We’ll be gathering at Oaks Park in Portland to share this special meal, so don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a cruelty-free Thanksgiving with us!
Click here for more information
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Tofurky Trot 2025
Chasing Compassion This Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 27, 2025, 9:00 AM
Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, Portland, OR
Registration Now Open!
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Start your Thanksgiving morning with purpose, fresh air, and community spirit at the Portland Tofurky Trot 2025 – “Chasing Compassion!” This family-friendly 5K fun run/walk is back and better than ever, kicking off from the beautifully remodeled Oaks Park Dance Pavilion at 9:00 AM sharp.
Whether you're running, walking, trotting with a stroller, or bringing your friendly pup along for the fun, Tofurky Trot welcomes all ages and fitness levels to join in a celebration of compassion, gratitude, and plant-based living—all to support local farm animal sanctuaries.
Northwest VEG and all the participants are so thankful to Tofurky as our title sponsor and for their donation that will help support local animal sanctuaries. Their business and their generosity are helping to make every day more compassionate and helping us all celebrate with a feast of kindness on this day of gratitude.
Click here to register and see all the details about NW VEG's award-winning trot
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VegFest Is Coming!
It’s BIG, it’s FUN, it’s all VEGAN,
and IT’S COMING BACK in 2026!!!
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We’re thrilled to announce that VegFest is returning! After a long pause due to Covid restrictions, Northwest VEG is bringing back the event you know and love—and we’re making it better than ever!
Think of everything you’ve missed: delicious plant-based food, inspiring speakers, lively cooking demos, and a vibrant community celebrating compassionate living. All of that (and more!) is on the way. Stay tuned for updates so you can mark your calendar and join us for the grand return.
What would you like to see at VegFest 2026? Now’s your chance to make a difference in helping to plan this great event. Northwest VEG is powered by our fantastic volunteers. If you’re interested in joining the team, just send an email to: volunteer@nwveg.org and we’ll send you a link to join the meetings!
Watch this space for the latest information
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Plant-Based Recipe of the Month
Copycat Trader Joe's Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
By Linda Tyler, the Gracious Vegan
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Rich, velvety, and full of flavor, this plant-based roasted red pepper soup is a satisfying alternative to store-bought versions (like Trader Joe’s) that contain dairy. Cashews blend into a creamy base without a trace of cream, and tomato paste and roasted red peppers bring bold, comforting flavor. Add greens or chickpeas for a heartier twist, or keep it simple for a light lunch or starter. It’s ready in about 25 minutes, including soak time—and just 10 minutes of hands-on prep. Makes about 4 servings (5 cups total).
Copycat Trader Joe’s Tomato and Red Pepper Soup recipe
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Call for newsletter articles
Would you like to write an article for our newsletter or provide feedback? How about reviewing your favorite vegan restaurant, or telling us about a recent vegan-oriented experience? We are also looking for volunteers to edit and publish this newsletter (training and support included). If you are interested or have any questions, write to rick@nwveg.org.
| | Enjoy our supportive and friendly community of people interested in vegan, plant-based food and lifestyles. | | |
NORTHWEST VEG | nwveg.org
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