Taste vegan at these Calgary VegFest 2017 vendors
If “animals are our friends, not food” is a life mantra you live by, then the inaugural VegFest at Shaw Millennium Park in Calgary on Sept. 23 is your can’t-miss food festival this fall. Between the local live music and guest speakers, these participating local merchants will be there to serve up tasty vegan dishes and treats to sample.
Raw Eatery & Market
2-1145 Kensington Cres NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1X7Opened in Calgary’s vibrant Kensington business district in 2016 with help from crowdfunding backers, founders Ali Magee and Megan Pope give back to the vegan and vegetarian communities with sustainable food workshops and one-on-one nutrition consultations. Enjoy meat-free imaginings of international cuisine such as lettuce-wrap tacos or rainbow pad thai sourced with ingredients from sustainable local and regional farms.
Amaranth Whole Foods Market
7 Arbour Lake Dr NW, Calgary, AB T3G 5G8From kale to kombucha, this sponsoring vendor promotes healthy living not only from their organic, sustainably sourced grocery selections, but also through cash-back programs and in-house events such as holistic nutritionists’ workshops on living well and even pain management. Also follow their website for healthy vegetarian and vegan recipe ideas by local nutritionists such as bone broths and blue majik banana smoothies.
Well Juicery
117 17 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1H3Founded in town only three years ago, this cold-pressed juicer has expanded nationwide, sharing their love of detoxifying and refreshing raw juices with the rest of Canada. Add caffeine to your energy boost with their fan-favourite cold brew coffee or harness activated charcoal’s dark energy with their charcoal lemonade. See their website for vegan meal and dessert recipes. Pick up at their Inglewood location or at vendors such as Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters.
Little Tucker
1327A 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0T2Cake for dessert doesn’t mean having to fill your body full of refined sugar. Raw food purveyor Laura Incognito’s cakes – that range from nut-free chocolate caramel to pumpkin pie with cinnamon walnut – are gluten- and dairy-free and baked without refined sugars. Help the homeless by simply buying a pack of their sweet, vegan-friendly superfood energy bites, where profit portions are donated to the Mustard Seed of Calgary. Order and pick up at their Inglewood location or check their many stockists throughout Calgary.
Baked From the Heart
Airdrie, AB T4B 2E9Made with love and dedication to low environmental impact, vegan sisters Vanessa and Sarah’s catering business has been serving vegan sweets that soothe the soul since 2014. Their famous cupcakes and other desserts such as brownies and cookie sandwiches are all gluten, dairy- and egg-free without any artificial flavours or preservatives. Also try a savoury, soy-based spin on a breakfast sandwich with their flax and oat bran vegan sausage patties. Call for pick up or delivery or find them in-store at Hearts Choices.
Happy Belly Kombucha
4150-7005 Fairmount Dr SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0J1When the minds behind Happy Belly first tasted a fresh-brewed kombucha at a U.S. wellness conference, they came up with the idea of opening a brewery here at home so this elixir won’t have to travel long shipping distances and taste the freshest it can be for Calgarians. Check out current flavours such as pineapple ginger or watermelon at their Acadia taproom or stockists such as Amaranth Whole Foods Market.
