Animal activists offer free vegan food on Plaza

April 20, 2007

Animal activists offer free vegan food on PlazaBy MAURI MOHLERAlligator Contributing Writer Jason Henry / Alligator Travis Mitchell, 21, enjoys a sample of chocolate soy milk during Vegfest, held Wednesday on the Plaza of the Americas. Krishna Lunch wasn't the only meat-free fare to be had on the Plaza of the Americas on Wednesday.

Falafel, fresh bread and soy hot dogs were on the menu at Vegfest, an annual buffet that offers free samples of meatless food. The student-run Animal Activists of Alachua organized the event. More than 500 people tried the animal-friendly foods, which ranged from Boca burgers to blueberry waffles. "We want to provide a sampling of all the foods that vegetarians can eat and show how diverse our diet can be," said UF graduate student Elizabeth Murdock, co-president of Animal Activists of Alachua. About $300 to $400 worth of food was given out in three hours. Most of the food was donated by local businesses, including the Reggae Shack Cafe and the 2nd Street Bakery. A national vendor, Turtle Mountain, supplied Soy Delicious vegan ice cream. Josh Balk, an outreach director for the Humane Society of the United States, spoke about hens as a target of abuse. "Egg-laying hens are the

most abused animals in industrial factory farming," he said. "They are put in barren, wire cages too small for them to spread their wings." He said being a vegetarian doesn't have to be all or nothing - even people who are on the diet for three days of the week are helping animals. Kellen Goodell, a UF junior, has been a vegetarian for about two years after trying the lifestyle with a group of friends. He continued with the diet because he said he felt healthier. He also believed it was morally and ethically the right thing to do. "I don't feel it's something you can preach," he said. "No one shoved it down my throat to make me do it." Peter H

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