...World Vegetarian Day

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Every year on October 1st, World Vegetarian Day kicks off a month of parties, potluck, presentations, food tasting displays...and lots of friendly discussions.

Bonnie Frechette of the Bellingham MA Whole Foods Market, 2004 WVD Contest winner (company category)

For those new to vegetarianism, it serves as an enticement to give meatless fare a try (even for a day) and learn about its many benefits. And, of course, it's the perfect occasion for vegetarians and those already moving towards plant-based diets to celebrate their healthy, compassionate food choices.

World Vegetarian Day and Vegetarian Awareness Month celebrations are as varied as the people who plan them. Whether you want to keep yours simple and private or public and grand — our ideas and resources can help.

In addition to individuals from all walks of life, past participants have included schools, colleges, health food stores, co-ops, restaurants, libraries, employers, healthcare centers and many others.

Please consider joining with the thousands of others this October who will be exploring the vast variety of tasty and healthful meat-free foods, and sharing information about the benefits of vegetarian diets with the people in their local communities.

Rebecca Williams, 2004 WVD Contest winner (individual
category)

Now here's really Good News. If you haven't already heard, the simple act of choosing vegetarian meals is a powerful force for positive change — impacting ourselves, other people, animals and our Earth home. Recognizing and celebrating World Vegetarian Day and Vegetarian Awareness Month is a fun way to help others learn about the benefits of vegetarianism, which include:

•	reducing the risk of major killers like heart disease, stroke and cancers while cutting exposure to food borne pathogens;
•	offering a viable answer to feeding the world's hungry, through more efficient use of grains and other crops;
•	saving animals from suffering in factory farm conditions and from painful slaughter;
•	conserving vital, but limited freshwater, fertile topsoil and other precious resources;
•	preserving irreplaceable ecosystems, such as rainforests and other wildlife habitats;
•	mitigating the ever-expanding environmental pollution of animal agriculture; and the list goes on.

No matter how big or small, we want to hear about your activities. Please let us know what you did to commemorate World Vegetarian Day and/or Vegetarian Awareness Month, and we’ll list you in Vegetarian Voice magazine and on our website. You’ll also be entered into our World Vegetarian Day contest.