Down to Earth will once again be the lead sponsor for VegFest Oahu 2018!
The event brings together almost 50 booths offering education, food, and entertainment, and was attended by 4000 people last year including Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Activities include: plant-based cooking demos by expert chefs, speakers on health and environmental topics, a unique collection of food entrepreneurs selling island-made vegan products and dishes hand-crafted to appeal to the local palate, movement classes, lots of free food sampling, interactive exhibits with healthy games, and continuous live music.
“In Hawaii where many residents suffer from diet-related disease, VegFest Oahu provides an important service by publicizing that people can attain better health by eating a plant-based diet,” said Mark Fergusson, CEO of Down to Earth Organic & Natural. “A plant-based diet is environmentally friendly, reduces global warming, and is truly compassionate” he explains.
“Down to Earth is once again proud to be the lead sponsor of VegFest Oahu in 2018. We are providing promotional support to help ensure its success and will actively participate in the event by having a booth selling delicious vegan food from our renowned deli and present a cooking demo and health talk.”
Additional Sponsors are: Kaiser Permanente, Sustain Hawaii, SKY Kombucha, Vegetarian Society of Hawaii, The Naughty Vegan Studio/Good Vibes Center, Vegans Rock Apparel, ‘Ekahi Health, Pono Home, and Hoku Coffee.
Festival Highlights: (Full lineup on: VegFestOahu.com)
- Speakers: Dr. Michael Klaper, M.D. presenting “A Doctor’s Prescription for Reversing Disease and Reducing Climate Change”. Carmela Wolf, L.A.C., Wellness Manager at Down to Earth Organic & Natural, presenting “Eating the Rainbow: Vibrant Foods for a Vibrant Life”. VeganEvan and Genesis Butler, co-Presidents of Animal Hero Kids, presenting “Why You Should Care: A Plea From Today’s Youth”.
- Expert Chef Demos: Chef Mama T. Gonsalves, Executive Chef, Umeke Market, demonstrating Falafel Patties and Tzatziki Sauce. Kimberly Oshita, Registered Dietician at Kaiser Permanente demonstrating Tofu Scramble and Mock Egg Salad. Madeline Kammerer, Community Outreach at Down to Earth Organic & Natural, demonstrating Spinach Luau and Spicy Tofu Poke.
- Food Booths: Menu highlights include: ‘ulu nachos, jackfruit taco salad, tempeh katsu, falafel platter, teriyaki soba noodles, deep fried ‘ulu, indian curries, savory waffles, ice cream sandwiches, vegan soft serve, açaí bowls, local brew Kombucha, Booths by: Down to Earth Organic & Natural, SKY Kombucha, Umeke Market, Peace Cafe, Juicy Brew, Ke Nui Kitchen, ‘UluMana, Surfer’s Wife, Counter Culture, Rice Factory, India Cafe, Baker Dudes, HI Cravings, Uncle’s Ice Cream, and more.
- Musicians: Tavana: Island-inspired Rock and Blues. Quadraphonix: World Music Funk Fusion. Paul Izak: Folk, Blues, Reggae.
About VegFest Oahu
VegFest Oahu launched in 2016 as a grassroots effort organized by an all-volunteer team and sponsored by a coalition of organizations that support a healthier Hawaii. The festival is a fun-filled opportunity for the public to experience the many benefits of choosing plant-based foods to increase and maintain good health, contribute to a solution for climate change and encourage compassion for animal welfare.
VegFest Oahu strives to showcase green, sustainable living and minimize waste by: requiring vendors to refrain from using single-use plastic packaging, requiring food vendors to use 100% compostable containers for on-site dining, avoiding all sales of water in plastic bottles and instead offering a free filtered water station. Read more about these initiatives on the VegFest Blog.