A plan for a vegan festival germinated; Michiana VegFest sprouted

More than 1,000 people showed up Sunday for the inaugural Michiana VegFest.

The event promoted plant-based eating and living for health, sustainability and animal welfare.

Speakers came to talk about vegan living, and chefs demonstrated vegan and vegetarian cooking techniques. There was also plenty of food for people to try.

Event organizers said it is important for people to be educated on different food options for their own health.

"We need to talk about this, living vegan for your own health," Vegan Michiana Coordinator Rama Ganesan said. "To eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes for your own health. To prevent the major killers – heart disease, cancer, diabetes; those are the top three killers in the USA – of course, we should be talking about and promoting that kind of thing."

The turnout Sunday was so good that organizers said they hope to have many more VegFests in the future.